“ In 2013 , Cummins donated a walkin cooler – allowing our food shelf to accept and store milk , dairy , meat and other expensive items that are necessary for a nutritious diet . This increased the amount of food each family could receive and the number of families we could serve by over 50 percent ,” says Andrea Kish-Bailey , Executive Director of WBAEFS .
Merrick clients hold positions in Kowalski ’ s Markets ’ coffee shops , kitchens , aisles and check-out lanes .
“ We rely on our generous donors and volunteers to fulfill our mission ,” says Kish-Bailey . “ Our partners in the business community are equally valuable . Cummins Sales and Service , of White Bear Lake , has been a tremendous partner over the years . Our work with Cummins dates back to 2013 , when they played an essential role in transforming the WBAEFS from a pre-packed food distribution model , where volunteers decided what food items each family received , to a Model of Choice where neighbors now shop and select their own groceries .”
Cummins Sales and Service ( formerly Cummins Npower ) distributes engine and power generation systems in the U . S . and internationally . The company also provides application and design engineering services .
Ricardo Patron , President of Central Region Cummins Sales and Services , says , “ Cummins is committed to improving communities where its employees live and work across the globe . Cummins supports community partners in strategic priority areas – education , equality of opportunity and environment . The Cummins Foundation is involved in funding limited projects where employees are deeply engaged and committed , such as at the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf . Our company ’ s Every Employee Every Community ( EEEC ) program allows each employee to use at least four work hours to contribute to local projects and partners .”
In 2016 , WBAEFS reached out to Cummins for additional help , and Kish-
Bailey says , “ What started as a simple call for help for a few volunteers to move shelves and reorganize the warehouse , grew into a Six Sigma project for the company . The Cummins Foundation grant supported the work of Cummins ’ employee Katie Roessler , a Six Sigma Black Belt , to update the food shelf warehouse to one that maximizes safety and efficiency . The warehouse is now complete with a first-in / first-out process , a roomy food-sorting station for volunteers , rolling stairs , fans in the market area and more ! Additionally , the grant provided new freezers and coolers to triple the food shelf ’ s capacity to accept and distribute food-rescue product from local grocery stores .
“ But it doesn ’ t stop there ! Cummins proudly sponsored the Community Roots Garden which has harvested over 1,500 pounds of fresh veggies for families utilizing the food shelf . The garden sponsorship includes a shed which allows volunteers to tend to the garden on evenings and weekends .”
For more info : whitebearfoodshelf . org and cummins . com .
Merrick , Inc . & Kowalski ’ s Markets
John Wayne Barker , Executive Director for Merrick , Inc .
Merrick , in Vadnais Heights and North St . Paul , has been empowering adults with disabilities for over 50 years . Executive Director John Wayne Barker says , “ Merrick provides work and life enrichment activities for nearly 375 adults with disabilities in the northeastern Twin Cities . We partner with local businesses to provide a variety of work options : light assembly or packaging at our building in Vadnais Heights ; Merrick client crews onsite at a business partner ’ s location – supervised by our staff ; and direct-hire placements . A rich variety of life enrichment activities take place at one of our two buildings , and in the community at large .”
For nearly 20 years , Merrick has partnered with Kowalski ’ s Markets to provide meaningful work for adults with disabilities . Individual clients are employed directly by Kowalski ’ s along with client crews that help personalize the shopper experience in six of Kowalski ’ s Twin Cities ’ locations .
“ Merrick clients hold positions in the coffee shops , kitchens , aisles and check-out lanes . When shoppers visit Kowalski ’ s , they interact regularly with our workers . When people with disabilities are included in typical work and life enrichment activities , our community is stronger . Kowalski ’ s is doing its part !” says John Wayne Barker , Merrick ’ s Executive Director .
Collaborations continued on page 67
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