When disaster strikes, food and basic necessities are among the greatest needs in the impacted communities.
This has been the case after major storms, as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, we’re seeing this play out in Ukraine. Since Russia’s invasion, over 2.5 million Ukrainians have left their homeland and are now in desperate need of food and supplies.
As a food distribution company, Dot Foods has always felt called to help address hunger. That’s why we teamed up with the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) to support their tireless efforts to provide aid to Ukrainian refugees. We also worked with GEM last year to donate 55,000 pounds of product after Hurricane Ida.
Nearly 200 Dot employees pitched in $28,683 to support Ukrainians. We matched that donation, contributing $57,366 worth of food for GEM to distribute to refugees. Items included dried beans, cereal, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, and other items that GEM says are in high demand to meet their nutritional needs.
This was truly an employee-driven effort. We decided to take action after our employees called on us to support Ukraine. Dot Foods Executive Chairman John Tracy explained how this cause aligns with our company values:
As a company that cherishes family, our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine. This humanitarian crisis is devastating. We’re proud to have such generous employees who feel the same way. Doing our part to fight hunger after disaster strikes has long been a part of our charitable work and we’re happy to be able to contribute.
To learn more and support GEM’s work in Ukraine and nearby refugee camps, go here.
More Charitable Initiatives
Our local philanthropy has also been going strong. Here are some donations from the past month.
Dot Foods Mt. Sterling donated to renovate the Minnie Barr Park in Jacksonville, Illinois. Our contributions helped to rehabilitate the basketball court, the most used area of the park.
Dot Foods New York made two donations in honor of Mother’s Day, including over $500 worth of food to the Vera House domestic violence shelter and $500 to the CNY Diaper Bank.
Our New York distribution center also supported the Buffalo community after the recent shooting. We donated $500 to FeedMore WNY for their daily distributions in the area.
Dot Foods Delaware donated Honey Baked Hams and frozen cakes to Charity Crossing, helping them feed over 80 mothers, children, and veterans in the area.