From Chicago to Boston, Travel & Company Helps Feed Those in Need

1/26/2009

"Volunteering is an opportunity to move beyond your own sphere and engage in a different one," states Chief Marketing Officer, Joel Cody. "It’s all about people helping people; that's our common humanity. Whether it’s a friend or a family member or an organized volunteer effort, part of life is helping others when they need help." And help they did. Travel & Company staffers are proud to give their time to helping those who need it most.

 

Chicago, IL: The Chicago office including Regional Director, Katie Weimann, and tour consultants, Liz Tyrrell and Stephanie Uzureau, really wanted to contribute to the community in lieu of a holiday celebration this year. So the team decided to volunteer at a soup kitchen in the River North area, the same neighborhood as the office.
Their volunteering effort was made possible through Catholic Charities, a foundation that provides “hope for the hopeless” in nearby Cook and Lake Counties. The team served food, coffee, tea and conversed with the local homeless people who seek assistance from the organization. Katie reflects on the experience, “It was really fun and rewarding to get to know the individuals who really appreciate the services provided by the organization.”

The Chicago Team plans to lend a helping hand each month with various organizations throughout the city.

 

Boston, MA: In early January, six members of the Marketing Team joined forces to help the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), one of the largest hunger relief organizations in the country. GBFB is a nonprofit organization that feeds more than 320,000 people every year throughout eastern Massachusetts.

Marketing staff members arrived in South Boston to inspect, sort, warehouse and distribute boxes of food and other grocery necessities that will be distributed to local soup kitchens, Brown Bag programs, and housing authorities. The food is also donated to Kids Cafes, which ensures underprivileged youth in and around the city of Boston receive balanced and nutritious meals five days a week.

“Traveling overseas does so much to open up your world to other cultures," remarks VP of Marketing, Jeff Hild, "but spending an evening at our local food bank was eye-opening in an entirely different, but equally important way. I’ll definitely be back.”

 

Boston, MA: Every month, Travel & Company tour consultants from the Boston office gather at the Pine Street Inn, Holy Family Shelter in Dorchester, MA to help in the final preparation and serving of food to those in need. Julie Fratarcangeli, a Regional Director for ACIS, organized the first staff excursion to Pine Street Inn as an act of good will around Christmas 2007. The natural surge in volunteerism during the holiday season actually made it difficult for Julie to find an organization that could accommodate her whole team.

Realizing there were gaps throughout the rest of the year where help was greatly needed, Julie extended ACIS’ involvement. Her efforts were wholeheartedly supported by her fellow peers.

What started as a single act of good will has since blossomed into a monthly event. Julie and others have remarked on the warm reception they always receive at Pine Street Inn and the sincere appreciation they feel for their continued involvement throughout the year.

If you'd like to volunteer at a local homeless shelter, you can find many opportunities at http://www.hud.gov/volunteering/volunteerstates.cfm.