Chevron Canada Fundraising for Food Banks with TeamFund

Fundraising for Non-Profits: CBU raises over $18,000 for Calgary Food Bank

Published May 15, 2020

Original post written by Chevron Communications Advisor. Forward by Dominique Fraser.

It’s hard for me to explain the joy I get when we get to work with such an extraordinary team. When Nicole Lerner from Chevron’s Calgary Office first approached TeamFund to see how we can help raise funds for the YYC Food Bank. I was thrilled.

The food bank is a place where I have volunteered many times over the years, so helping raise funds while feeding Chevron families with local food at the same time was match made in heaven.

A true win win for the community: supporting local, by locals for locals!

Chevron Canada’s Communications department:

It may have been difficult to recognize the faces behind the masks, but friendly eyes were ready to greet the many contributors to the CBU Calgary Food Bank fundraiser.

On May 14, members of the f Chevron Canada Business Unit (CBU) Women’s Employee Network and community engagement team were set up in the TELUS Spark parking lot to facilitate contact-free delivery of items purchased through the fundraiser.

“This was a fantastic idea to support local businesses and the Calgary Food Bank,” said CBU President Frank Cassulo, who accepted a cheque from TeamFund for the donation made to the Calgary Food Bank on Chevron’s behalf.

“These extraordinary circumstances have placed an incredible strain on our communities. Every contribution helps to support our economy and those struggling during these times.”

The campaign, which ran from April 22 to May 6, supported two local businesses, Simple Simon Pies, Soups and Meals and Bow River Meats, as well as the Calgary Food Bank.

Through TeamFund, an online platform that helps ease the fundraising process for non-profit organizations, 22 percent of proceeds to Simple Simon and Bow River Meats went to the Calgary Food Bank on CBU’s behalf.

CBU sold over $24,000 in products, raising over $5,000 for the Calgary Food Bank in food sales alone.

“Everyone is fully prepared for barbecue season,” said Maria Corcione, employee engagement advisor. “It was incredible to see the uptake by CBU employees to participate in this fundraising initiative to support our local community.”

The fundraiser also collected over 250 pounds of food donations and raised $13,000 in direct donations to the Calgary Food Bank from CBU employees, contractors and retirees. Up to $5,000 will be matched by CBU through the CBU Matching Grants program. The Calgary Food Bank donation link is still open and will close on May 31.

“Our goal was to raise $5,000 for the Calgary Food Bank, so we’re blown away by the response from employee/contractors and their personal networks who also made purchases through the fundraiser,” said Nicole Lerner, HESR specialist – OE assurance, and member of the CBU community engagement team.

“Many local businesses and Calgarians need additional support during this pandemic; we’re proud of CBU for stepping up to the task and leading the way.”

CBU employees even found ways to get their families involved during the campaign.

CBU has partnered with the Calgary Food Bank for over 19 years, volunteering time and donations. Like many local organizations, the Calgary Food Bank has been impacted by COVID-19, as it struggles to support the many people in Calgary in need of food and cash donations.