In 2022, LEMOINE made a vow to continue improving the communities we serve by implementing a Volunteerism Policy as a benefit for our employees and our communities. We believe that giving back is the only way forward. To encourage our employees to go out and volunteer for the organizations and causes they are passionate about, we have added Paid Volunteer Time to our Benefit Plan. We have added Volunteerism to our Corporate Goals for all employees as part of our Incentive Plan as well. Together, we have already made a difference. In Q1 of 2023, LEMOINE has logged 763 Hours of Volunteer Time. We decided to interview some of our employees who have logged Volunteer Time, and their responses are below.
Amber B.
Proposal Manager - Disaster Services
- Which organization did you volunteer for? Lasagna Love (https://lasagnalove.org/)
- Where was this (City, State)? Baton Rouge, LA
- Why did you choose this organization? / Why was this cause important to you? I was struggling with figuring out how to fit volunteering into a busy schedule. I asked myself: You need to make meals anyway, why not make extra for those in need? Food insecurity has always been a cause I’ve felt passionate about, and Lasagna Love allowed me to personally help those in need in an innovative and more personable way. Lasagna Love is a global nonprofit and grassroots movement that aims to positively impact communities by connecting neighbors with neighbors through homemade meal delivery. They also seek to eliminate stigmas associated with asking for help when it is needed most. Their mission is simple: feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities.
- Tell me about your experience. I was able to volunteer and make meals for several families in need. One family had recently had an accident and was struggling with cooking due to injuries. Another was a group of college students who hadn’t had a home-cooked meal in months. Another was a family of 9 that was struggling financially. I love to cook, and lasagna is one of my favorite dishes, so I found this was a great way to give back to the community and spread kindness to those going through difficult times.
- What does it mean to you that LEMOINE offers a Volunteer Policy? It boosts employee engagement and job satisfaction. Employees have been able to contribute their time and skills to causes they care about, promoting a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Since it is a policy that is promoted by the company, employees openly discuss their volunteer opportunities with coworkers, which allows others the opportunity to investigate volunteering with new organizations and may also provide the opportunity to team build, bond, and collaborate.
- Have you volunteered at this organization before? No, this was my first time volunteering with them, but it was such a fulfilling experience that I plan on continuing.
Brittany B.
Proposal Coordinator
- Which organization did you volunteer for? Hogs for the Cause (Hogs for the Cause)
- Where was this (City, State)? New Orleans, LA
- Why did you choose this organization? / Why was this cause important to you? Hogs for the Cause is affiliated with Children’s Hospital New Orleans which is not only an important LEMOINE Client, but a pillar in our local community. CHNO provides exceptional healthcare to the children of our state. I can personally testify to this as my daughters have both received emergency and primary pediatric care at CHNO. Volunteering for CHNO cancer patients and their families is a wonderful opportunity.
- Tell me about your experience. Hogs for the Cause is such a fun event! It is a mix of food, live music, competition, and the community rallying to support a good cause. It can be a lot of work to get everything set up and ready on the opening day, but our group always has fun while we are at it.
- What does it mean to you that LEMOINE offers a Volunteer Policy? I love that our culture includes a service mindset, that we collectively know how important and fulfilling it is to give back to our communities. Having it formalized as a policy proves that this mindset is present in the leaders of our organization and sets a high standard for companies in our industry and beyond.
- Have you volunteered at this organization before? 2023 was my third year doing Hogs for the Cause with LEMOINE. Looking forward to 2024!
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Brett T.
Assistant Program Manager - Program Services
- Which organization did you volunteer for? Firehouse Ministries Shelter (Firehouse Shelter)
- Where was this (City, State)? Birmingham, AL
- Why did you choose this organization? / Why was this cause important to you? No one should go hungry. This organization helps rehabilitate men and reintegrate them into society by providing them food (Breakfast, Lunch, Snack and Dinner), a place to sleep, and a program to help them find jobs.
- Tell me about your experience. I try to go once a week, but no less than 2 times a month to cook and serve dinner with the shelter staff. We are always finding creative ways to use the food donated by local businesses and the public to create a well-balanced meal for the men in the shelter.
- What does it mean to you that LEMOINE offers a Volunteer Policy? This industry is all about servitude, but requiring us to branch out and find different ways to contribute to our communities is an excellent idea and a good way to keep us engaged. Without this policy, I’m not sure I would have found the Firehouse! I’m glad I did.
- Have you volunteered at this organization before? Not before I started working with LEMOINE. I now go pretty routinely as time allows.
Jennifer C.
Project Accounting Manager
- Which organization did you volunteer for? St. Joseph Diner (St. Joseph Diner)
- Where was this (City, State)? Lafayette, LA
- Why did you choose this organization? / Why was this cause important to you? I worked in a restaurant for several years. I started waiting tables to make a living in college, but I gained much more than that during my time as a server. I learned that serving people is something that I genuinely enjoy. I love the small talk, the fast pace, trying to remember what people like/don’t like, multitasking and taking care of everyone! Because of my history, I felt like volunteering at the diner was a natural fit for me.
- Tell me about your experience. The staff at the diner are incredible. The regular workforce there are true professionals. I was really blown away by their drive and work ethic. We had to WORK to keep up with them!
It was extremely heartwarming to see the weekly volunteers coming in and settling right into place washing dishes, wiping tables, scrubbing pots, and cleaning floors while our group served food. Most of them are retired and this is how they give back. I left very inspired by each of these selfless individuals.
The diner does a great job re-iterating to volunteers that we are serving people who have fallen on hard times. It’s part of their mission to treat everyone who walks in with dignity and respect.
One of the staff was once a regular, who ate at the diner. One of the gentlemen eating at the diner was once a volunteer – we literally served people from all walks of life. It was extremely humbling and it took a few days to begin forming relationships, but by day 3, I began to learn more about some of the people we served and enjoyed getting to know them.
Regardless of what, how, or when – that’s not our place to say, but I do believe that everyone deserves a hot meal each day. Most of us take that for granted… And walking to my car, past the tents where most of these individuals slept the freezing cold night before, definitely weighed heavy on my heart. - What does it mean to you that LEMOINE offers a Volunteer Policy? LEMOINE offering a volunteer policy proves their value of community and community service. LEMOINE does not restrict us from volunteering on the weekends. If we have to be away from our office, and our day jobs, in order to give back – then so be it. That speaks volumes to me.
- Have you volunteered at this organization before? This was my first experience, but will not be my last!
