Over the past few years, associates at the Walmart Supercenter in Bradford have been found at the Friendship Table with their sleeves rolled painting the inside of the facility — or working in the food line serving pancakes.
This behind-the-scenes volunteer work by Walmart’s associates, or employees, was revealed Friday when officials from the Friendship Table thanked the store for its recent donation of $1,250 to the facility.
The Table, located on East Corydon Street, provides hot, nutritious meals free of charge to anyone in need nourishment and fellowship. As the Table does not receive state or federal funding, it relies heavily on donations from businesses and individuals, as well as volunteer help for its operation and upkeep.
Tim Nelson, assistant manager at Walmart, said the store’s recent donation to the Table was provided through the Local Community Grants program which is available to nonprofits that apply for the funding.
He said the store also tries to help charities, such as the Table, in other ways.
“I know we’ve had associates go down (to the Table) on occasion and they provided all volunteer hours” for projects, Nelson stated. “They helped (prepare and serve) a pancake breakfast last fall” as well.
Harrijane Hannon Moore, a member of the Table’s board, said the pancake breakfast by Walmart volunteers was very much appreciated.
“They brought (the food supplies) and they did everything” for the breakfast, Hannon recalled.
Nelson said the associates find out about requests for help at the Table through sign-up sheets displayed at the store by manager Sharon Yost, who also sits on the board.
Nelson said many of the associates want to help at the Table, because it “benefits a lot of people in the community” including family members and friends of the store’s employees.
Joe Doriguzzi, co-chairman of the Table, noted that over the past two years, Walmart associates contributed 600 hours of volunteer work to help refurbish the facility.
An associate who has organized volunteers from the store to help at the Table is Laurie Alexis, manager of the delicatessen.
“A few years ago we did a lot of painting” at the Table, Alexis said of the volunteers. “They all came down there and volunteered their time,” she added while looking in the direction of a couple dozen employees who had gathered Friday in the store’s breakroom.
Alexis said the store encourages volunteerism in the community through its Volunteerism Always Pays, or VAP, program. Through the program, Walmart makes contributions to eligible organizations where associates volunteer.
Alexis said the Table is thought highly of by a number of the associates because of the good it does for so many people.
“The (Table) blows me away with the meals they make” for the needy, Alexis remarked.
For more information on the Table, or to make a donation, call 362-6658.
