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Individual and Communal Benefits of Corporate Volunteer Programs

Individual and Communal Benefits of Volunteer Programs

Volunteering is a powerful tool that benefits the individuals who are donating their time while also strengthening the communities they are serving. Companies that encourage their employees to volunteer provide their workforce with the opportunities to give back. They feel the joy and accomplishment that comes from making the lives of the people in their communities around them better.

Personal Benefits

Volunteering can also significantly impact the overall health of an employee.  Studies have shown that volunteers are more likely to report a sense of social connectedness and community engagement, which, consequently, can have a positive impact on their overall mental and physical health.

By volunteering, employees can unlock new creative ways to use their skill sets while simultaneously building deeper connections to their communities.  These relationships will also foster a greater sense of empathy and understanding among people, and will create new perspectives and experiences to be shared with one another. 

Economic Value

Students at the Barack Obama Elementary School in Richmond, VA using microgreen kits provided by volunteers.

Beyond the personal benefits that volunteers receive from giving back, their efforts can also have a positive impact on economic development. By bringing resources to underserved communities, volunteers can help to create new opportunities and strengthen local economies. Many volunteering initiatives focus on areas such as education, the arts and healthcare. By partnering with local organizations, employee volunteers can help to address community needs and support local initiatives. The community itself can become more vibrant, healthy, and a better place for all involved to live.

Volunteers can provide essential services that might not be available within many communities, supporting food banks, shelters, and community centers. These previously under-supported organizations have the means to serve the populations they set out to help through the donation of time and resources.  

The Bottom Line

Volunteers assembling blankets in Palm Springs to support those struggling with homelessness in California.

Companies that encourage their employees to volunteer are investing in their health, and the health of the communities they serve. By partnering with local organizations and supporting community development initiatives, corporate volunteer programs can help to address critical community needs and promote economic development. Volunteering provides countless benefits for both the individual and the community, and it can help individuals build connections, develop new skills, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

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Microgreens: Creating Sustainable Food Systems

Unfortunately, many people around the world do not have access to a sustainable food system. According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, an estimated 690 million people around the world were undernourished in 2019, indicating this lack of access to a sustainable food system. As a result, individuals and communities have struggled to obtain nutritious food options, leading to negative impacts on health and well-being. Efforts to promote sustainable food practices and empower communities to take charge of their own nutrition can help create a more equitable and sustainable food system for everyone.

The Superfood…

Communities across the nation are looking for different foods and processes to create sustainable food systems. One of the main foods at the forefront of the conversation are Microgreens: nutritious and eco-friendly natural greens that offer numerous benefits for the environment and are becoming increasingly popular. They are harvested when they are just a few inches tall and packed with a concentrated amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Microgreens are super eco-friendly because they can be grown indoors, which means there is no need for land and water similar to traditional farming. Plus, they don’t need as much time to grow, so they offer fresh greens all year round without relying on out-of-season produce that has to travel long distances to get on people’s plates.

Not only are microgreens better for the planet, but they’re also better for people’s health. They’re packed with nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants, and they taste amazing! You can use them in salads, sandwiches, smoothies, or even just as a garnish on top of your favorite dishes.

That’s why at Generus we’re committed to promoting sustainable food practices and empowering communities to take charge of their own nutrition. By promoting food justice and empowering students to grow their own food, we can create a more equitable and sustainable food system for everyone.

Generus believes in coming together to make a positive impact on the planet and our communities, one microgreen at a time!