According to Giving USA, a foundation that charts charitable giving, individuals increased their donations in 2010 by 2.7 percent over 2009 and corporate giving increased by 10.6 percent.
But the employees of one local company are far surpassing those statistics.
In 2009, the workers at Yates Services in Smyrna pledged $59,443 to United Way.
In 2010 they pledged $114,347.
This year 1,800 employees pledged $193,970.
While some of that increase came through additional workforce, it also came through more employees recognizing a greater community need.
Meagan Flippin, senior director of United Way of Rutherford and Cannon counties, credits Yates’ general manager and United Way board member Greg Persinger with instilling a culture of giving, advocating and volunteering within Yates Services.
In fact, Yates’ employees have contributed to United Way for 26 years, and Persinger has served on the United Way board for seven of the last eight years.
But Yates said his employees, “Just give from the heart.”
This September, Yates offered his employees another opportunity to help others. He arranged a food drive for the Rutherford County Food Bank.
In just one week, employees filled 70 large collection boxes with canned goods and other non-perishables
Thongsay Thammavong, a Yates Services line supervisor who assisted with the food drive, said the experience really made her feel good.
“To give to other people… I would do it again in a heartbeat,” Thammavong said.
Cordell King, another line supervisor, helped load the boxes onto a truck. Even though he never doubted his coworkers would give generously, he said he was surprised by the sheer volume of food.
Emma Espy, director of the Rutherford County Food Bank, said she was also surprised.
“It was the largest donation we had that month,” Espy said.
And the food was definitely needed, Espy said.
Yates Services brought their donation the last week of September when the pantry shelves were nearly empty. The food bank holds large food drives in May and November. However, the other months tend to be lean, Espy said.
The Rutherford County Food Bank, a United Way agency located inside the McFadden Community Center, serves between 25 and 30 families per month. About half of the organization’s budget, or $4,700, comes through corporate employees, like those at Yates, who give to United Way. And, Espy said proudly, 98 percent of the food bank’s operating budget goes right to the people who need it.
It is important for communities to come together to help those who have fallen on hard times, Thammavong said.
One never knows when he or she might lose a job and be the one needing help, she said.
During the holiday season, a greater number of families seek assistance from the food bank, Espy said.
Therefore, donations and extra volunteers are surely appreciated.
The food bank is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. For a list of needs, visit rcfoodbank.org.
United Way has been serving the needs of Rutherford and Cannon counties since 1956. They partner with 46 nonprofit affiliate agencies and five grant recipients.
Considered by some as the “Good Housekeeping” seal of nonprofits, United Way ensures that affiliate agencies are legitimate organizations offering viable services to the community.
For Persinger, supporting United Way is the right thing to do.
“There’s so many people in the community that need help,” he said. |
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