Over 130 Food Banks Receive Support From HDR Employees
Food banks are combating food insecurity with the support of 136 grants totalling more than US$415,000.
The grants are funded by employee donations to the HDR Foundation and global philanthropic funds in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. In many communities, HDR employees volunteered at a local food bank to strengthen the partnership beyond monetary support.
“The Burlington, Ontario, office is a newer addition to HDR, and the ability to support local food banks is a great initiative,” said Jason Stahl, section lead for road design and delivery. “We’ve been able to visit the food bank three years in a row, and with every visit, it makes me proud to be part of an employee-owned organization that can support communities not only locally but throughout the world.”
The grants were an incentive for offices that reached a donation goal on the HDR Foundation’s annual Day of Giving fundraiser. In total, the support included 122 grants totalling US$396,750 in the U.S., 10 grants totalling $23,500 in Canada, three grants totalling AU$6,000 in Australia and £1,500 to one U.K. food bank.
“The Irvine (California) office has long been involved in serving our community, and being the recipient of the food bank grants has given us yet another opportunity to give back,” said Melissa Rodriguez, senior highway project manager. “Besides filling our individual buckets, it was a great opportunity to meet employees from other groups, meet family, and get to know each other a little better over a common goal of helping others.”
During this year’s Day of Giving, over 8,000 HDR employees donated more than US$2.24 million for the HDR Foundation and global philanthropic funds.
“Our experience volunteering at the food bank was extremely rewarding,” said Chancy Vines, water-wastewater engineer in Reno, Nevada. “It was a meaningful opportunity to give back to our community and support those who rely on these important services.”
About the HDR Foundation
The HDR Foundation provides grants to qualified organizations that align with HDR’s areas of expertise: education, healthy communities and environmental stewardship. As an employee-funded and employee-driven foundation, preference is given to organizations located in communities in which HDR employees live and work, and those with strong employee involvement. Since its inception, the HDR Foundation has provided more than US$14 million in grants to over 700 organizations.
About HDR
HDR is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm. Founded over a century ago to bring electricity to a changing world, we are now a global company specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. Our success in built and natural environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex challenges.
