Many companies recognize the importance of community service and involvement through donating time, services or money, but
some also see how service can positively shape the culture of an
organization if employees actively lead and benefit from it.
Just ask Bob Shearer, CEO of Shearer’s Foods Inc.
At Shearer’s, associates can volunteer to be part of the Caring
and Sharing Committee, which was established in 2003 and is
completely led by employees. During the course of the year, it
strives to identify fellow associates and other people within
the community who are in need and provide support to them.
It has helped employees with unexpected medical bills, heat
bills, funeral expenses and other situations.
To help these people, the committee works diligently to raise
money and has done so through yard sales, raffles, candle
sales and basket sales. It also created a cookbook by having
employees contribute special recipes for potatoes and potato
chips. It then took those recipes and assembled them, and the
book is sold at Shearer’s Marketplace Factory Outlet Store, with all
proceeds going to the fund.
The committee also has Kangaroo Court, where employees are charged 25 cents if they are found out of uniform, and
those quarters are donated to the fund. Additionally, the committee hosts a luncheon for employees and provides meat,
cheese and buns but asks employees to bring a homemade dish
to share. Committee members ask employees to pay $5 — or
as much as they can afford — to attend the luncheon, and all
proceeds go to the fund, as well. In the past five years, the committee has raised and distributed $45,000 to those in need.
On top of its efforts to help its own people and those in the
community with special needs, the committee also leads the
company in raising funds to support outside organizations like
the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, where it was a
Bronze Level sponsor, raising more than $1,000. When employees care, it creates a positive work environment and makes
them feel empowered to make a difference in the company and
the community.
HOW TO REACH: Shearer’s Foods Inc., (330) 767-3426 or www.shearers.com