Hunger

HAHDhAHSDHAHS

More Than a Meal: Partnering with Second Helpings to Nourish People, Planet and Communities

Posted on by Joe Ball


At The Heritage Group, sustainability is about more than protecting the environment—it’s about creating long-term value for people, planet and the communities we call home. That belief drives our partnership with Second Helpings, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit transforming rescued food into nourishment for neighbors in need.

Through food rescue, culinary job training and hunger relief, Second Helpings is a powerful force for good in Central Indiana—and we’re proud to stand alongside them.

Each year, more than 3.7 million pounds of perfectly good food—once bound for landfills—is rescued and redirected into nutritious meals for those experiencing food insecurity. This partnership directly aligns with our definition of sustainability: practical, people-focused solutions that reduce waste and deliver meaningful impact.

“Our partnership with Second Helpings is a clear example of how our approach to sustainability comes to life—not just through innovation, but through service,” said Tom Doherty, EVP, Portfolio Enablement at The Heritage Group. “It’s a model for how we can build lasting impact by showing up for people and supporting the communities we serve.”

Whether it’s lending our support to events like Corks & Forks, Tonic Ball or helping to pack shelves and spread awareness during the Gr8 Pasta Push, our relationship with Second Helpings is grounded in shared values. We’re committed to enacting sustainable practices while ensuring our neighbors have access to the meals they need to thrive.

“Second Helpings represents the kind of impact we strive for across The Heritage Group—where sustainability isn’t just environmental, but human,” said Tom. “It’s about using our resources wisely, lifting up our neighbors and building prosperous communities that can thrive long term.”

Behind the scenes, the heart of this partnership is our people. THG employees regularly volunteer in the Second Helpings kitchen—chopping vegetables, prepping ingredients and packaging meals for distribution across the city. It’s hands-on work that brings our values to life.

“Whether I’m at Tonic Ball enjoying the music or in the Second Helpings kitchen seeing the meals being prepared, I’m reminded that sustainability is about leaving our people, planet and communities better than we found them,” said Tom. “This partnership reflects the best of who we are at The Heritage Group.”

From departmental teams to individuals, this is part of a broader commitment we call United for Service—a campaign that empowers our employees to give back in ways that matter most to them and their communities.

Every meal prepared, every hour volunteered, every pound of food rescued tells a story of connection and care. With Second Helpings, we’re building a more sustainable and compassionate future—one meal at a time.

HAHDhAHSDHAHS

Recap: 2023 United for Service

Posted on by Joe Ball

In a powerful demonstration of community strength, compassion and coordination, The Heritage Group’s 2023 United for Service — a week-long service campaign — recently unfolded across 11 states, bringing together 682 volunteers on a mission to combat food scarcity and hunger.

Now in its second year as a company-wide initiative through The Heritage Group, United for Service originated with the Fehsenfeld family as a way to gather and bond together while giving back to the communities where we live and work. This year’s effort resulted in an impressive 1,400 service hours dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of those facing the harsh realities of hunger.

The heart of our United for Service campaign lies in the spirit of collaboration. Local service organizations, impassioned volunteers, and essential community partners joined forces to address one of the most pressing issues affecting countless lives — the lack of access to adequate, quality food. The scale of this initiative reflects the shared commitment to creating positive change.

The need for food is key to our existence, and the communal sharing of meals is a part of our culture. Families bond over dinner; co-workers chat over lunch. But for some, putting food on the table is a struggle. According to the USDA, more than 34 million people, including 9 million children, in the United States are food insecure. In fact, every community in the United States is home to families who face hunger. But rural communities — where many struggle with limited job opportunities and lack of transportation options to reach grocery stores or food pantries — are especially hard hit by hunger.

The backbone of any successful service campaign is the dedication of its volunteers. Our Heritage volunteers united with a common goal: to make a meaningful impact in their respective communities. With 682 individuals stepping up, each hour contributed becomes a building block in the fight against hunger. Together with business leaders and colleagues, members of our Heritage family served meals at soup kitchens, stocked shelves at food pantries and prepared meals for distribution to community members in need. Spanning across 11 states, our week of service was a testament to the widespread need for assistance and the urgency to address food scarcity on a broader scale. This year’s United for Service week witnessed an impressive tally of 1,400 service hours, which underscores the dedication and commitment to service within our employees.

Crucial to the success of this campaign were the invaluable partnerships forged with local organizations. From food banks and shelters, the collaborative network created a ripple effect, amplifying the campaign’s reach and effectiveness. Together, these partners played a pivotal role in ensuring that resources were utilized efficiently and that the impact extended beyond the week of service.

Beyond the numbers, the true measure of success lies in the lives touched and the communities strengthened. By addressing immediate needs and fostering sustainable solutions, this campaign aimed not only to provide relief but also to create a foundation for lasting change. In the face of food scarcity, our United for Service week stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the transformative power of collective action. Our combined efforts remind us that, together, we can build stronger, more resilient communities, and that positive change is possible when we are united around a shared vision and purpose.

To everyone in our #HeritageFamily who donated food, sorted produce, chopped vegetables, served lunches and assembled snack packs: Thank you!