Due to the pandemic, Citizens went back to the roots of the Paul Riggins Giving Tree Program this past holiday season, encouraging employees to make financial donations instead of purchasing gifts for local families.
Through a virtual food drive for Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Citizens’ employees raised $3,292, surpassing the goal of $2,500 set by the United Way Employee Team, which organizes the Giving Tree Program each year. Because of Gleaners’ buying power, that is enough to provide more than 16,000 meals!
“Our employees have made a huge impact on our community with their donations,” said Jennifer Mentink, leader of the United Way Team. “There is so much need right now, and I am so thrilled we were able to pivot our holiday giving tradition to make a difference at such a difficult time. Thank you to everyone who made a donation to Gleaners!”
Gleaners said from September 2019 to September 2020, they distributed 207 percent more food than the same time period a year before. In Marion County, many of its distributions this year were four to five times larger than in 2019.
