California

Partnering to MEND Our Community

With a mission to help victims of the current economic recession during the holidays, State Farm employees in Westlake Village set out to partner with MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity), an organization that helps impoverished families in Northeast San Fernando Valley.

Led by Public Affairs Specialist Samona Caldwell, a group of employees volunteered to gather and deliver food, supplies and clothing to the Pacoima-based organization. The State Farm group also presented a $1,500 grant to MEND to assist them with their hunger campaign.

The underlying mission of MEND is to provide the means and ways to self-sufficiency as well as break the bonds of poverty. As the largest food bank in San Fernando Valley, they assist up to 31,000 people per month with emergency food, clothing, medical, vision, and dental care, as well as job training, English classes, youth activities, and a Christmas program.

 

Sandra Tatum, a fire claim representative at the State Farm Operations Center in Westlake, participates in the company’s volunteer program that reaches out to local communities through non-profit organizations like MEND.

“It’s great to give back to the communities where we provide daily service to our customers,” said Tatum. “We value our community partnerships and welcome the opportunity to assist them when and where we can.”