Sodexo’s PRIDE Supports Local Communities Through Nationwide Volunteering Efforts in Celebration of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month
Company’s Employee Network Group Members Support People Suffering from HIV/AIDS in Six Large Metropolitan Regions Across the Country
GAITHERSBURG, Md., -More than 65 members of Sodexo’s PRIDE employee network group volunteered throughout the week of June 18 to help those suffering with HIV/AIDS in their local communities as part of group community service effort called PRIDE Provides.
Employee Network Groups at Sodexo are organized by employees who, based on shared experiences, join together to provide a positive forum for professional development, and input ideas that support the success of the company's diversity efforts. Networks are organized around a common dimension of diversity and are created by employees who want to raise awareness in Sodexo of one of the identity groups.
Sodexo PRIDE (People Respecting Individuality, Diversity and Equality) champions an environment of acceptance and workplace equality for all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and ally team members through employee engagement, community involvement, education and awareness.
During the week-long PRIDE Provides effort, the organization and its Sodexo employee members partnered with the following like-minded community groups to help support their work feeding those in need:
- AIDS Interfaith Network - Dallas, TX
- Boston Living Center - Boston, Mass.
- Chicago House - Chicago, Ill.
- Open Hand – Atlanta, Ga.
- Project Open Hand - San Francisco, Calif.
- Thomas Street Health Center – Houston, TX
“I’m so proud of the way we came together as a group to support people in the communities we serve,” said Jude Medeiros, chair of Sodexo’s PRIDE. “Sodexo is recognized for both our culinary expertise and our work fighting hunger nationally, so this volunteer effort supporting people with HIV/AIDS combines many of our unique talents to improve lives in our own communities.”
PRIDE’s volunteer efforts made a significant impact on the organizations the group supported. Rachel Kamen, volunteer coordinator with Project Open Hand in San Francisco said, ““It was an absolute pleasure having Sodexo volunteer at Project Open Hand. Their high energy, openness to help in any way possible and genuine interest and investment in the great work that we do here was remarkable.”
Sarah Rocklin, manager of volunteer services with Project Open Hand in San Francisco added, “Sodexo is a tremendous force at Project Open Hand, partnering with us to make sure that the needs of our 8,000+ clients are met. When they volunteered for PRIDE week they attended with such enthusiasm and worked so efficiently that they not only surpassed our goals for the day but inspired the staff and volunteers they came into contact with.”
Sodexo PRIDE’s involvement in the Community Week of Service exemplifies the work of Sodexo’s employee network groups and the company’s commitment to the communities it serves.
Sodexo in North America
Sodexo Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Daily Life Solutions company in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, delivers On-site Service Solutions in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government and Remote Site segments, and Motivation Solutions such as Esteem Pass. Sodexo Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $17 million in grants to end childhood hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.
Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Daily Life Solutions
Quality of Life plays an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations. Based on this conviction, Sodexo acts as a partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and employee well-being, as it has since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966. Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo’s 413,000 employees in 80 countries design, manage and deliver an unrivaled array of Quality of Life Services. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the fulfillment of its employees and the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates.
Contact
Enrico Dinges
301 987 4393