The Spirit of Giving
Across the U.S., the holiday season marks the season of giving where many families and individuals volunteer at and give to charities and organizations in need of their help. Although we wholeheartedly believe that charitable acts should occur throughout the calendar year as the need is always there, we want to take this opportunity of the nationwide season of giving to expand on Aaron Bros.’ spirit of giving. We are proud to actively participate and partner with a few charities we’d like to introduce to you.
Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD)
Mission: “We have 1 goal. 1 mission. To fight hunger 1 dollar, 1 meal, 1 person at a time. Until the day that no1 goes hungry.” GCFD is Chicago’s food bank, founded in 1979 and making a daily impact within Cook County against the fight against hunger. GCFD is a non-profit food distribution and training center.
- GCFD has a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, mobile programs, children’s programs and older adult programs.
- In 2014, GCFD distributed 68 million pounds of shelf-stable food, fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of 155,000 meals every day.
- GCFD serves more than 232,100 households annually.
Aaron Bros. believes this is not just a season of giving issue – hunger in our community is a year-round issue and we are committed to assist GCFD by hosting food drives at our facility and providing transportation to the organization for the delivery/pick-up of food drive barrels across the city.
To find out more about GCFD, click here.
Move for Hunger
Mission: Move For Hunger mobilizes the relocation industry to reduce food waste and fight hunger.
Move for Hunger helps individuals join the fight for hunger year-round. Move for Hunger partners with relocation companies, such as Aaron Bros., to pick up and deliver non-perishable food items to local food banks. Here’s how it works:
- While you’re packing up your items for the upcoming move, set aside unwanted, non-perishable food items.
- When you book your move with Aaron Bros., notify your Moving Specialist that you have items to donate to Move for Hunger.
- The day of your move, our moving staff will arrive to your home with a specially-marked Move for Hunger box to pack up your food items and deliver to our food bank affiliate, GCFD.
We are proud to partner with Move for Hunger, offering this service to our customers, delivering your donations to GCFD, which in turn, helps our community. Working with Move for Hunger provides us the opportunity to prolong the spirit of giving year-round. Our customers move 365 days a year and with your donations, food can be provided to families who are in need and contributions are no longer season-dependent.
To learn more about Move for Hunger, click here.
Kaleidoscope
Mission: to serve abused and neglected families unconditionally through individualized, family-centered, community-focused care. Our vision is that every child has the chance to lead an independent, self-sufficient, productive, and happy life.
Kaleidoscope provides resources and support to children struggling with complex emotional, physical and medical needs. The organization is committed to alleviate the obstacles these children face, believing all children deserve the chance to reach their highest potential. Kaleidoscope’s services include:
- Therapeutic Foster Family Care
- Transitional Living Services for Youth Ages 18-21
- Community-Based Services for Foster Families in Crisis
- Clinical Services including Outpatient Psychotherapy for Children
Each holiday season, Aaron Bros. provides Christmas gifts for 10 children within the Kaleidoscope program. It is with great joy that some of our staff members attend the Kaleidoscope Gift Wrapping Party to gussy up all the gifts for the children.
To learn more about Kaleidoscope, click here.
Zealous Good
Mission: Zealous Good makes it easy and meaningful for people to donate their excess items by connecting them to local Chicago charities with matching needs.
This organization provides another meaningful partnership for a moving company such as Aaron Bros. When most people begin to organize and pack for a move, they realize there are some items they no longer want or need. The next thought is: what to do with these items? Trash them? Sell them? Donate? Our partnership with Zealous Good makes the decision easy for you.
When you book your job with Aaron Bros., simply let the Moving Specialist know you have items you’d like to donate via Zealous Good. We will inform the organization and they will find a local charity in need of your loveseat, IKEA bookshelf, etc.
To learn more about Zealous Good, click here.
The Calahan Foundation
Mission: To create ways of “Giving a Hand Out … to Give a Hand Up” to those in need.
The Calahan Foundation was founded in 2009 by Edward and Shirley Calahan of Calahan Funeral Home, Inc. The foundation’s main goal is to inspire youth through educational scholarships, contemporary role models, entrepreneurial mentorship, and economic empowerment programs.
The Calahan Foundation hosts various fundraising events including the Celebration of Giving Benefit Concert, an annual toy & coat drive and an annual gala to name a few. Proceeds from the foundation’s efforts provide scholarship awards to low-income high school students and help local homeless shelters with basic needs for homeless individuals.
Aaron Bros. partners with the Calahan Foundation throughout the year and is proud to assist them in 2015 with their 7th Annual Toy & Coat Drive.
To learn more about the Calahan Foundation, click here.
This holiday season, embrace the spirit of giving. Find a cause you believe in, something that’s near to your heart and participate. Volunteer, become an advocate or donate. Join us as we help better our community!