Local company recognized for Outstanding Acts of Community Service | News

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) - The Freestore Foodbank has named dunnhumbyUSA the 2012 Hope Award recipient in recognition of its ongoing and extraordinary acts of volunteerism that help to further the organization’s mission. This is the second year that the Freestore Foodbank has bestowed the Hope Award, created to honor those companies or individuals that go above and beyond to become fully immersed in the Freestore Foodbank’s mission. 

            “dunnhumbyUSA is exactly the kind of partner for whom we created the Hope Award for Volunteerism,” said Kurt Reiber, President of the Freestore Foodbank. “dunnhumby’s staff and leadership have taken our mission and made it their own; helping to create stability and furthering self-reliance for people in crisis across Greater Cincinnati.”

“dunnhumby’s core values of passion, collaboration, courage and curiosity are reflected in all that it does,” said Bill Dankworth, V.P. Grocery Merchandising and Procurement at The Kroger Co., and Chairman of the Board for the Freestore Foodbank. “Their work with the Freestore Foodbank is no exception, and their partnership in helping end hunger and its root causes throughout Greater Cincinnati is invaluable.”

            dunnhumbyUSA, headquartered in Cincinnati, has been in partnership with the Freestore Foodbank through the Company’s philanthropic program, Helping Hands. An employee-led initiative, Helping Hands provides an outlet for dunnhumbyUSA employees throughout the United States to make a difference within their local communities through gifts of their time, talent and financial contributions. dunnhumbyUSA is one of the Freestore Foodbank’s largest corporate partners for volunteer activities and the only corporate partner to organize a week-long volunteer program with nearly half the 500+ dunnhumbyUSA staff participating annually during the holiday season.

            “The Freestore Foodbank helps the most vulnerable members of our community and is an organization close to our hearts,” says Stuart Aitken, CEO of dunnhumbyUSA. “Not only do we wholeheartedly believe in their extensive community outreach, the Freestore Foodbank’s mission has become embedded in our company culture as a vital fundraising and team building initiative. The Hope Award is truly a great honor for dunnhumbyUSA employees and we couldn’t be more humbled by the recognition.”

            The Freestore Foodbank is one of the region’s largest food banks, providing food and services to over 20 counties in Ohio. Through its Customer Connection Center, seeks to meet the needs of Greater Cincinnati’s most vulnerable citizens including the homeless, the unemployed, the working poor and families in crisis.