At Wake Robin, every Friday is jeans Friday. What does this mean? Each Friday, staff is encouraged to wear their favorite denim, and in exchange, they contribute one dollar to a donation fund. The Jeans Fund started five years ago.
Wake Robin HR Director Anne Levesque donating over $2,419 to Director Rob Meehan, Community Engagment Coordinator Anna McMahon of Feeding Chittenden
Well, as Mr. Franklin said, “a penny saved is a penny earned.”
We are happy to announce that during the past year, The Jeans Fund has continued to grow to nearly $2,500. These funds are then donated to area organizations for the betterment of the local community and this year Wake Robin’s HR Director Anne Levesque presented the annual donation to Feeding Chittenden, the largest direct service emergency food provider in the state of Vermont.
Why Donate to Feeding Chittenden?
Anne summed up why Wake Robin donated to Feeding Chittenden with the following.
“Each year we take donation ideas from the staff. We then list them and ask staff to vote for their preference. In this process we also try to highlight organizations that align with our values. At Wake Robin, we are aware of how food insecurity can be a challenge for Vermonters who work by our side, but struggle to make ends meet. Feeding Chittenden works at all levels of food production chain, matching Wake Robin’s commitment to Healthy Food in Healthcare, a national initiative to support food sustainability and promote a healthier food system.”
Filling the food shelf at Feeding Chittenden
So, on a bright January afternoon, Anne and Media-Marketing Coordinator Francis McGill visited Feeding Chittenden, which is located on North Winooski Avenue in Burlington. They met with Feeding Chittenden Director Rob Meehan and Community Engagement Manager Anna McMahon. Rob and Anna gave the Wake Robin representatives a tour of the premises while highlighting the impact and reach of Feeding Chittenden’s programs.
Feeding Chittenden’s Impact
Feeding Chittenden not only serves the community but engages it. Its Community Kitchen Academy demonstrates this. CKA is a culinary job training program led by professional Senior Chef Instructor Jim Logan where students develop the professional and inter-personal skills they need to find and retain employment in the hospitality industry. The meals they prepare in the program are then used to fight hunger in the community.
A CKA culinary student
Besides, the Academy, Feeding Chittenden feeds over 10,000 county residents through its Food Shelf, operates a “Good Food Truck” that goes directly to communities in need, provides groceries to homebound clients and rescues over one million pounds of food waste each year.
Make a Difference
Like Wake Robin, you can make a difference by joining the fight against hunger. Give your hands and heart by volunteering, or host a food drive.
You can make financial donations to Feeding Chittenden here.
