For the third year in a row, members of the Living Well Committee at Southwire’s Building Wire Plant (BWP) hosted a food drive to benefit local residents.

Beverley Hembree and Tonya Stephens, coiler operators, co-chair the committee and created the drive to help elderly residents in the local community, individuals who are not typically reached during the holiday season by other events or organizations.

“We sometimes forget about the elderly, who are often on a fixed income,” said Stephens. “They are the people who brought us to where we are now. They took care of us when we were younger and made us who we are today. We should always make sure that we take care of them.”

Over the course of the drive, employees contributed more than 4,000 pounds of food – enough to fill 168 boxes. This total surpassed the previous record of 147 boxes donated in 2015. Members of the Living Well Committee then delivered the items, which included canned goods and boxed food items, directly to senior citizens living in the community.

“Southwire’s culture is all about giving back to the community,” said Stephens. “It was such an overwhelming experience to see how our employees were willing to contribute to the drive. It’s just amazing how much everyone at the Building Wire Plant really stepped up to show kindness and care for these people.”

Employees at Southwire’s Watteredge facility in Avon Lake, Ohio, also launched a food drive for members of their community.

Sylvia Votruba, drafts person, and Kathy Champe, administrative assistant, coordinated the event for employees, including establishing a collection site, posting flyers and encouraging partners at the facility to participate.

“In just a few weeks, 943 pounds were collected,” said Janet Collins, human resources manager. “This beat last year’s efforts by more than 300 pounds. Most partners brought in canned goods and staple products, while others chose to give cash for a total of $256.”

Stan Lyons, general assembler, used the donated foods to purchase much-needed groceries for a local food bank. He also donated a turkey dinner to his elderly neighbor. All of the food donated during the drive was given to House of Praise International Church, which is attended by Andy Santoro, maintenance technician.

“On November 21, the food was delivered – just in time for Thanksgiving,” said Collins. “As a company that cares about its employees and community, we all look forward to next year’s drive and breaking another record for those in need.”

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