Brady Gives Back Through the Employee Volunteer Program at Seton in Branford


On July 11, team mates from Brady business Seton US in Branford, Conn., presented a generous grant from the Brady Corporation Foundation to the Branford Food Pantry, located just miles from the Seton facility. The donation was part of the expansion of Brady's Employee Volunteer Program. To help build volunteering relationships with community organizations, the Foundation pledged "mini grants" that each Brady U.S. business could make to a local non-profit.

With the economy driving more and more families to The Branford Food Pantry, this donation couldn't have come at a better time. Tony Neesham, Email Marketing Manager and Seton US member of the EVP Team said "We're honored to contribute to this invaluable and dignified community effort!"

Tony, along with Karie Carruthers, Contact Center Manager, wedged a 6-foot check into their car and drove over to the Branford Food Pantry. They were eagerly greeted by Wendy Cowles, President of Branford Food Pantry, Inc. and Jay Webb, Board Member heading Development. A brief tour through the neat and organized facility revealed the extent of the need and the size of the operation. The pantry, addressing the primary need of mankind - food, is 100% volunteer and has never turned away a family nor reduced the amount of food per family.

Although they are a member of the Connecticut Food Bank, and receive approximately 41% of their supplies from them for free or at a deep discount, it has always been a struggle to obtain enough food. Jay said that "Approximately 10 new families per month turn to us for help. We provided food to 89 new families in 2011."

Not at all discouraged by the struggle ahead of them, but simply grateful for the donation, Wendy and Jay focused on the impact the donation would have on the community. "Our plan," shared Wendy, "is to use this money toward our better nutrition program for kids. We have started putting together snack bags for them to take to school so that they have a snack each day of the week. We also hope to start purchasing healthier snacks like fruit cups and yogurt. Your donation will make a difference."

"Ensuring strong and sustainable communities where we live and work is part of Brady's commitment to sustainability," said Katie Milbeck, employee volunteer program coordinator. "We support that commitment by giving our employees the opportunity to make a measurable impact on their communities through partnerships with community organizations and employee volunteer opportunities."

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