MATTERbox Update
It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through 2022. The year so far has been very impactful! Partnering with some pretty incredible companies, MATTER has been able to provide more than 66,000 healthy meals to communities nationwide. It’s such an honor to work with companies that are committed to putting the “Do” in “Donate”. From those that participated in our annual MATTERbox Madness in March, to those that held employee packing events during National Volunteer Month, these generous companies made it possible for community organizations like JP4 Foundation, featured below, and so many others to provide children and families across this country with access to healthy food.
Now with summer upon us, the need for healthy food is even greater. We’d love for more companies to join us as we continue our efforts to provide 50,000 meals to children this summer. You can contact me at Victor@matter.ngo or my colleague, Katie, at Katieo@matter.ngo and we will be happy to help you create your own employee packing event. Together, let’s help children have a summer free from hunger or the need to worry about where their next meal is coming from. They matter – and so do you!
-Victor Salamone, Executive VP of Business Operations
Bell Bank Pays it Forward
Did you know that April 28 was Global Pay It Forward Day? Intended as a day to “create a ripple of kindness” that will continue throughout the year, the Bell Bank team in Fargo, North Dakota, celebrated the day by hosting an employee packing event to provide healthy meals to their community. Thanks to their kindness, 1,000 MATTERbox snack packs were delivered to the YWCA Cass Clay Emergency Shelter in Fargo.
“This was the perfect day for our Bell Bank team to come together, prepare the MATTERboxes for those in need and make sure those receiving the boxes know they do MATTER!” said Julie Peterson Klein, Bell Bank Chief of Staff. “We are a team of people with caring hearts who want to add value every day and this was the perfect way to do this on a very important day in our world. We are honored to partner with the MATTER Team! Thank you for all the good you do!”
Teaming Up to Fight Hunger
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx are once again teaming up with Hy-Vee and MATTER for “Together We Pack” to address food insecurity throughout the Twin Cities and to encourage healthy eating and staying active. Over the last three years, this campaign has provided more than 5,350 MATTERbox Meal Kits and 6,740 MATTERbox snack packs to those in need.
During the month of June, Hy-Vee customers can make a donation at checkout to provide either a $10 Meal Kit or a $5 Snack Pack. The funds raised during this month will be matched with contributions from both Hy-Vee and the Timberwolves and Lynx. The meal kits and snack packs will then be distributed to children and families during a special event at a local non-profit organization hosted by Hy-Vee KidsFit.
Community Partner Spotlight: JP4 Foundation
From one summer camp serving nine kids in 2018 to eight summer camps impacting 400 kids weekly in 2022, that’s quite an amazing growth curve for our small but mighty community partner, JP4 Foundation. And that’s not even mentioning the after-school programming they started in 2021. But it’s not surprising. Under the astute leadership of Executive Director, Jeff Huth, the JP4 Foundation has aligned itself closely with schools and other community organizations to ensure they’re engaging and connecting with the kids they serve. And by the speed at which they’re growing, it appears they are!
What started primarily as a baseball camp four years ago has now developed into wholistic year-round programming that also focuses on developing personal and academic success; building youth assets such as character, resilience, and wellness; fostering collaboration and developing awareness of personal choices.
As JP4 Foundation gears up for a busy summer, MATTER is excited to support them again this year by providing MATTERbox snack packs for the campers. “I like to use them because they give our kids a positive view of nutrition that helps to open their minds to eating other healthy foods,” says Jeff. “In that way, they’re a great teaching tool as well as providing the kids with a healthy boost of energy in their day.” Thanks for partnering with us, Jeff. We’re honored to help your organization serve the needs of children in Minneapolis and St. Paul!
Company Partners Make it Happen!
MATTER would like to thank our corporate partners for their generous support that allows MATTER to provide the JP4 Foundation, and so many other amazing community organizations, with the healthy food they need to serve the people in their communities. So far this year, the following companies have held employee packing events that have provided over 66,000 MATTERbox meals nationwide: AIG, Cargill, Bell Bank, Bridgewater Bank, Deutsche Bank, Discover, Land O’Lakes, Plymouth Lions Club, Lube-Tech, RBC Wealth Management, Roe Law Group, Rotary Club of West St. Paul-Mendota Heights, Spire Credit Union, Studio M, Target, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Unity Bank, Minnesota Vikings, and Walser Automotive Group.
Would your company like to join this growing list? Planning a MATTER packing event is easy. We can help you create an event tailored made for your employees. Are they working remotely or in different locations? No problem! We can ship our Volunteer Kits right to their homes. Are they eager to gather again? No better way to bring employees back together than for a creative, fun and meaningful volunteer experience! Whatever your situation, our MATTERbox team can assist you. Please contact Victor: Victor@matter.ngo or Katie O.: Katieo@matter.ngo to learn more!
