Ficosa and Forgotten Harvest: A Partnership to Fight Hunger

Forgotten Harvest, a Michigan-based nonprofit, is renowned for its mission of rescuing surplus food and distributing it to those in need. With food insecurity affecting many families in southeast Michigan, Forgotten Harvest has become a vital lifeline, and volunteers from all over the region play a crucial role in supporting its operations.

Ficosa’s Madison Heights employees eagerly joined this effort, spending a day at Forgotten Harvest’s warehouse, helping to sort, pack, and prepare food for distribution. The event, which saw Ficosa team members participate, marked a significant contribution to the nonprofit’s mission. The group worked together to process thousands of pounds of fresh produce, ensuring it could be delivered to local families facing food insecurity.

A Day of Giving Back

The day began with an orientation, where the Ficosa team learned about the impact of food waste and hunger in Michigan. Forgotten Harvest staff explained how rescued food from local grocery stores, farms, and restaurants is sorted and redistributed to various shelters, food pantries, and community centers.

After the briefing, the Ficosa volunteers quickly got to work. Tasks included sorting fresh fruits and vegetables, packing food boxes, and preparing goods for Forgotten Harvest's mobile food pantries. The team’s contributions were significant, with their efforts helping prepare enough food to feed thousands of people in the Detroit area.

Corporate Social Responsibility in Action

Ficosa’s participation in the Forgotten Harvest project is part of the company's broader commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR). As a global leader in automotive technology and innovation, Ficosa believes in the importance of giving back to the communities where its employees live and work.

Making a Local Impact

The food insecurity challenges in the Detroit metropolitan area have only increased due to the ongoing economic strain, rising costs of living, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. Forgotten Harvest plays a critical role in filling the gap by rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributing it to the community. With more than 48 million pounds of food rescued annually, the organization relies heavily on volunteers like the Ficosa team to keep operations running smoothly.

By the end of the day, the Ficosa employees had packed several pallets of food boxes, each one filled with fresh, nutritious items such as potatoes, carrots, onions, and various fruits. These boxes were then loaded onto Forgotten Harvest’s fleet of trucks, ready to be delivered to families and individuals across the metro Detroit area.

Looking Ahead: Continued Commitment to the Community

The partnership between Ficosa and Forgotten Harvest doesn’t end with this single event. Both organizations have expressed interest in continuing their collaboration in the future. Ficosa plans to make community service a regular part of its corporate culture, with more volunteer opportunities on the horizon.

A Model for Corporate Community Engagement

The success of the Ficosa volunteer event at Forgotten Harvest serves as a reminder of the impact that corporate groups can have when they come together for a common cause. In addition to helping alleviate hunger in the community, the event strengthened the bonds between Ficosa employees and highlighted the company’s commitment to being an active, responsible member of the Madison Heights community.

For Forgotten Harvest, partnerships like this are invaluable. The organization relies on the support of volunteers, donors, and local businesses to continue its mission of reducing food waste and combating hunger.

As the demand for food assistance remains high, both Forgotten Harvest and Ficosa encourage other businesses and individuals to get involved. Volunteering, donating, and spreading awareness are all critical steps toward ensuring no one in the region goes hungry.