These are challenging economic times for commercial real estate professionals. But that hasn’t stopped them from volunteering their own time to help others who are struggling though the country’s economic slump.
An example came this August, when 15 employees from Colliers International in the Columbus, Ohio, region sorted and packaged 11,000 pounds of meat at the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. The commercial real estate pros at Colliers responded to an urgent call from the foodbank for volunteers.
The foodbank is important today. Unemployment in the state of Ohio isn’t as bad as it is for the nation as a whole. But the unemployment rate of 8.6 percent here is still far too high.
“Many of our employees have watched family members and friends struggle to just get by,” said James Garrett, chief operating officer of Colliers International. “Colliers isn’t just about real estate services and great research. We love providing these services to clients, but we also care about our community and think it’s important to take the time to lend a hand to our neighbors.”
Colliers workers were supporting the Operation Feed program, a community-wide food and funds drive coordinated by the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. The hope is to inspire local businesses, schools, civic associations and individuals to both provide food donations and devote volunteer time to the foodbank.
The foodbank distributes food to hundreds of food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters in the central and eastern portions of Ohio.
“Without volunteers, our operation would collapse,” said Matt Habash, the president and chief operating officer of the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. “The work done by our dedicated volunteers allows us to get food where and when it’s needed most, helping hungry families across Ohio put food on their tables.”
