A Day of Giving Back at South Valley Farms

“We contribute in the communities where we live and work.”

Our new AgReserves mission statement concludes with those 10 words. In our “We Work Sustainably” core value, we reinforce that “Give Back” element of our purpose: “Our commitment to sustainability extends to building strong community relationships and making meaningful contributions in the places we call home.”

Volunteers from our South Valley Farms (SVF) operation in Wasco, California, recently put those words into action. Instead of the usual backyard BBQ or picnic in the park, SVF employees spent a day putting together food packages at a local food bank. They were making a meaningful contribution in the place they call home.

Members of the SVF team joined in to support the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) Service Day. CAPK includes a food bank that provides food assistance to low-income families and individuals through a network of distribution sites in Kern County.

?“It’s incredible to see so many of our SVF employees come together as volunteers to make an impact in our community by attending our CAPK Service Day,” said JeAnna Brumfield, an administrative assistant at SVF who organized the event. “We are truly making a difference in the lives of others.”

SVF volunteers put together five pallets of Hope Boxes to assist those experiencing homelessness. And they bagged artichokes, oranges, onions, potatoes, and fava beans.

“It was fun to work together with members of our various teams doing something new and different," SVF General Manager Spencer Birch said. "I noticed that the strong work habits we see at work express themselves in the employees and their families in this setting as well.”

The SVF crew also put together 15 pallets of Senior Food Boxes. Those boxes go to seniors living in the communities of Bakersfield, Lake Isabella, Buttonwillow, Frazier Park, Shafter, Ridgecrest, Maricopa, McFarland, Wasco, Tehachapi, Delano, Lamont, Arvin, Earlimart, and Pixley.

“These efforts will undoubtedly bring hope and nourishment to those who need it most,” Brumfield said.

SVF team members expressed an interest in continuing to make meaningful contributions.?

“We saw many employees and their guests inquire about how to get more involved with CAPK," Birch said. "I hope we can have future events like this one, but I am also encouraged to know that this was a seed for increased involvement by our team with a powerful community partner.”

AgReserves, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.