October is the time of year for the annual “Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch” campaign, sponsored by Table to Table. Meridian is a proud supporter of Table to Table, a community-based food rescue program that collects prepared and perishable food that would otherwise be wasted and delivers it to organizations serving the hungry in Northern New Jersey. The campaign, which was started 18 years ago, has delivered over 122 million meals to neighbors who need it most. During the Bag a Lunch campaign, we ask Meridian employees to donate what they would normally spend on lunch for a day. Donating to the campaign is voluntary and the donation amounts are of each individual’s choosing. After the donations are tallied at the end of the program, the company donates a matching gift at 100%, effectively doubling the contribution.
This year’s campaign, which ended on October 18, raised $1,566 through Meridian employee donations and the company matching dollar-for-dollar. That amount will provide Table to Table with the ability to feed over 15,000 families. Kelly Manzo, HR Assistant, is again the Meridian Team Captain, responsible for promoting the program at the company and coordinating with her counterparts at Table to Table. Ms. Manzo says, “The Bag a Lunch program is a great way for employees to help others in our local communities who are less fortunate. By donating what we would normally spend on lunch, each person’s individual contribution will double with the gift matching program, and ultimately have a much greater impact those who need it most.” To help raise awareness of the campaign, donation bags are placed in several locations throughout the FBO, including the Break Room, Line Service, Jet Center, and Charter areas.
Every day Table to Table picks up fresh, wholesome food that otherwise would have been discarded, and delivers it safely to non-profit organizations such as soup kitchens, homeless shelters and centers, programs for women and children who are victims of domestic violence, and programs that assist the working poor that serve meals to the hungry in Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Essex counties. With five refrigerated vehicles and dedicated drivers, Table to Table picks up food from a wide range of food establishments each day. This food is delivered on the day it is donated, avoiding the need for warehouse facilities and keeping Table To Table’s costs limited to the operation of the vehicles.
With the help of others, in 2017 alone, Table To Table will redistribute enough food to provide 18 million meals to hungry families in Northern New Jersey.
For more information, or to make additional donations, please visit: www.tabletotable.org
