The Forward Advantage Foundation completed its first food drive just in time for Thanksgiving! With the help of employee fundraising efforts, we raised a total of $5,790 dollars and 4,375 pounds of food. Food banks, and charities that depend on donations, have been greatly affected by the current economic conditions. We’d like to thank those who generously contributed to provide hunger relief in Kenya and across the U.S. Your contributions were gratefully received and will benefit the following causes:

• Community Food Bank – Fresno, CA
• Fresno Rescue Mission – Fresno, CA
• Poverello House – Fresno, CA
• Evangel Home – Fresno, CA
• Greater Boston Food Bank – Boston, MA
• Beverly Boot Straps – Beverly, MA
• Peace of Bread – Northbridge, MA
• Franklin Food Pantry -  Franklin, MA
• Food Bank of Lincoln – Lincoln, NE
• Tucson Community Food Bank – Tucson, AZ
• Arizona Humane Society
• Salvation Army
• Kenya Famine Relief

Although Thanksgiving has come and gone, we’re pleased to report that the food drive has prompted other local organizations to continue where we left off. A Forward Advantage employee’s creative thinking led to a “Cans for Tans” initiative at Rockstar Tan Company in Hanford, California. A large Forward Advantage Foundation bin, designed to look like a soup can, was used by the salon to collect cans from customers in exchange for tanning time. “The promotion was so successful that another local business asked to use the bin for the month of December,” says Jason Oxford, Forward Advantage employee and one of this year’s food drive coordinators. “The Foundation would love to see this sort of initiative expand to other industries. With this kind of creativity and teamwork, we can make a true difference for many lives.”

If your company is within the vicinity of Fresno, and would like to borrow the food drive bin, we’d love to hear from you! Please visit the Contact Us section on our Web site for more information.

Forward Advantage had an impressive turnout at the Off The Front charity bike ride held on Saturday, October 8th. Off The Front is a non-profit devoted to improving obesity rates and school performance among the impoverished areas of Fresno. Programs are designed to provide children with various incentives to meet goals recognizing educational, physical, and service achievements. One of the incentive programs currently underway is to provide fourth graders, who meet various benchmarks, with new bicycles.

To encourage participation in the ride, Forward Advantage provided a complimentary jersey and sponsored a total of thirty individuals (13 employees and 17 friends and family). Riders had a choice of four courses ranging from either the 96-mile century ride to the 11-mile family route. SAG vehicles were available throughout each course and provided participants with water, snacks, and support. A post-ride meal and various children’s activities added to the festive environment on what was a beautiful fall day. “I enjoyed the ride, and it was fantastic to see all the white, green, and blue jerseys on Saturday hammering it up and down Friant Road,” says fellow rider, Gerry Gerard. “The ride had great SAG support. The people at the rest stops were exceptional, and the food at the end of the ride really hit the spot!”

The fundraising goal for this event was to register at least 115 riders, and it was topped with approximately 130 participants. Forward Advantage is pleased to have been a part of this cause, as the company routinely supports local charities as a way to give back to its community. “The Fresno area has some of the highest rates of childhood obesity and poverty,” says Brian Boudreau, director of administration at Forward Advantage. “Off The Front is trying to break this cycle with a unique program that can truly make a difference.” We encourage you to visit the Off The Front Web site for additional information, including how you can partner with this organization or provide a donation.