The Memorial Foundation, Ford Motor Company & Joe C. Davis Foundation

Final December 2015 Publication1_Page_2_Image_0002For the last 9 years, the Rochelle Center has partnered with Second Harvest’s Backpack Program. This program provides a package of nutritious and easy-to-prepare food for low-income children to take home on weekends and school vacations. The Rochelle Center is responsible for assembling and packaging the food packages and Second Harvest distributes them throughout the country.

In the past several years, Second Harvest has witnessed an increase in need for the food packages around the country and asked if we would be able to increase our production. After meeting with a structural engineer, it was determined that we would need to renovate the layout of the production center to handle the increase in work. With funding from The Memorial Foundation, Ford Motor Company and Joe C. Davis Foundation we were able renovate the Production Center building which was built in the late 60’s and had never been updated. We have a new loading dock area, forklift, shelving and the floor layout has been reconfigured including updating the electric.

In 2013, our clients assembled approximately 35,459 packages a month, with changes to the Production Center they are now assembling 59,904 packages a month! This program is a win–win, it helps children in need all over the country and provides our clients the opportunity to learn work skills while promoting self-esteem and confidence.