Tomorrow is a day for thanksgiving.  This year, our celebrations will be very different. For many others, they are experiencing hunger for the first time. Food insecurity in many communities has increased significantly in 2020 especially for children.¹ 

Christian Markle, Director of Development at Oliver Gospel Mission sees this first-hand. “No parent wants to admit to their family that they can’t provide that holiday meal. Giving the dignity to those parents is a crucial part of our mission,” said Markle.

Palmetto GBA associates wanted to support Oliver Gospel Mission’s food drive to provide Thanksgiving dinners to those in need.  Palmetto GBA created the “Fill a Plate, Fill a Heart” Community Impact initiative. The goal of the company-wide drive was to provide as many Thanksgiving meals as we have employees ─ at least 2,400 meals. Our associates rose to the challenge. By the end of the three week drive they had donated enough to the Oliver Gospel Mission to surpass the goal and provide more than 3,300 meals.

The giving didn’t stop there. Some of our associates wanted to add an extra touch for the recipients of Harvest Hope Food Bank’s Thanksgiving meals.  Members of the Banking, Receipts, EFT/Disbursement Teams came together to sprinkle a little seasoning of hope, love, joy by donating 232 spices to the organization.

We are so thankful for the thoughtfulness and generosity of our employees and their commitment to making our communities better for all.

¹ https://www.npr.org/2020/09/27/912486921/food-insecurity-in-the-u-s-by-the-numbers