Sticking to the status quo isn’t the Dot Foods way. As we grow our company, we’re exploring new ways to serve not only our business partners and employees but also our communities through our charitable giving.
Our groundbreaking celebration of Dot Foods Manchester, which will be our 13th U.S. distribution center, marked a bold step forward for our philanthropy. We gave $170,000 in financial and product donations to 11 organizations in the Coffee County, Tennessee region. This marks our company’s biggest charitable initiative for a distribution center prior to its opening.
Whenever we embark on any charitable work, we ensure that the organization we partner with aligns with our values and five focus areas: community development and engagement, diversity and inclusion, education, health and wellness, and public safety.
Here is some background on the beneficiaries of our donations and how our contributions will serve their work and the community.
Local School Districts
$60,000 was split evenly between three local school districts. These donations align with our focus on education, as well as community development. Each district includes a family resource center to support families who need assistance with food, clothing, and other needs.
“Local schools have traditionally been a large focus for us from a philanthropic standpoint,” said Suzy Parn, the head of Dot’s corporate charitable committee. “We’re excited about all the future opportunities to support specific programs and initiatives for these schools and their students.”
Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) – McMinnville
We gave $50,000 to the college to provide truck driver training in the Coffee County region. Half of the money will go towards scholarships, and the other half will be used for driving program equipment. Student drivers hired by Dot Transportation, Inc. (DTI) will attend TCAT for free and earn a salary during their training.
Food Pantries
There are three primary food pantries that serve Coffee County: Storehouse Food Pantry, Good Samaritan Food Bank of Manchester, and Good Samaritan Food Bank of Tullahoma. These pantries received a combined total of nearly $20,000 worth of our excess product.
“As a food company, we believe it’s important to play a role in fighting hunger,” said Parn. “This donation is the start of our work to expand access to food in the area.”
Thanks to those from Dot who helped deliver and unload the donated product: DTI Driver Trainer Ruben Jimenez, Driver Trainee Sebron Hollands, Regional General Manager Rich Raham and wife Carrie, Corporate Communications Manager Emily Waterman, and Brand Manager Christine Iovaldi.
Jimenez, Hollands, and Raham pictured with Good Samaritan Food Bank.