Each month, we highlight one of the moving companies in our network for their extraordinary commitment to fighting hunger in their community. We are excited to announce that Breda Moving Company, a Wheaton agent, of Roselle, IL is our Mover of the Month for March 2017!
Breda Moving Company joined the Move For Hunger network back in October. Although they are relatively new to the program, they have been collecting food like seasoned veterans. Breda's crew has already rescued more than 600 pounds of food from its customers -- enough to provide 500 meals for their neighbors in need.
"We think it’s such a great idea because so many people get rid of food when they are moving," said Michelle Berg, Breda Moving Company's Office Administrator. "It's such a great opportunity to be able to donate it instead of throwing it away."
Berg said there's no big secret to their success, it's just a matter of letting folks know that they have a chance to make a donation to a good cause.
"When we go out for estimates, we bring a box with the big Move For Hunger sticker on it. Customers have the box there, so it makes it easy for them. We also include the flyer in the information packets we hand out."
The response from the customers has been overwhelmingly positive.
"Our customers love it," Berg said. "They are just so happy that they don't have to worry about dropping the food off somewhere or feel bad about throwing it away. We just take care of that for them."
And it's not just the customers who are excited about the program. Berg said that being part of Move For Hunger has energized the staff, too.
"It’s been great. When we first joined, some of the guys were like ‘oh are we having a food drive?’ And they started bringing in some food they had at home, too."
The days when the movers bring back a box of donations are particularly exciting.
"We all kind of gather around to check out what's in there," Berg said with a laugh.
The early success that Breda Moving Company has had is even more impressive when you consider that it hasn't even been their busy season. With National Moving Month and the summer approaching, Berg expects that the pounds will keep rolling in.
"We are hoping it's only going to get better. We're getting super busy around here, and we're hoping to collect as much as possible."
Breda Moving delivers all of the food they collect to the Roselle United Methodist Community Food Pantry.
"When we joined Move For Hunger we knew exactly who we wanted to donate to," Berg said. "They are relatively new and they actually contacted us to help them move. I think they really needed the assistance. They are always very happy to get the donations."
The pantry will almost certainly see the need for donations rise in the weeks and months ahead. Families with children who receive free or reduced-cost breakfast and lunch at school rely on those meals. When the school year ends, they often turn to food pantries to help make ends meet.
That's why the work Breda Moving Company is doing is so important. In addition to creating a sustainable source of donations for their local food pantry, they are also raising awareness about hunger in the area. When people are given an opportunity to help, they'll usually take it.
"Our customers and our employees love it," Berg said. "They like that they are able to give something back to the community."
Along with the award, Breda Moving Company will also be receiving a Move For Hunger hand truck, courtesy of Victory Packaging, lunch for their entire staff, compliments of Montway Auto Transport, and Move For Hunger truck decals for their entire fleet.
Congratulations to Breda Moving Company on this much-deserved recognition. Thank you for commitment to reducing food waste and fighting hunger in the Prairie State.
Are you in the relocation industry? You can join the Move For Hunger network today. Doing good is good for business!
There are a number of ways to fight hunger in your community. Get started today!
