A Culture of Giving
Sustainability,Company News,Community
2023.12.11
“Giving Back” to our community and employees is more than just a box that leadership checks each year. It’s deeply ingrained in our culture. This commitment finds its roots in the legacy of leaders, both past and present, who share a belief in contributing to the well-being of the communities we serve and supporting our dedicated employees in their commitment to social causes. For nearly 75 years, Server has been fortunate to serve our customers and suppliers, and with that good fortune, we acknowledge the importance of sharing our prosperity with organizations that positively impact the lives of individuals in our community.
Server places a strong emphasis on its commitment to giving back through four essential pillars of service: Community Empowerment, Education and Skill Development, Food Security, and Veterans. Each of these pillars carries equal weight in our mission to make a positive impact, and we take pride in our ability to provide financial support throughout the year.
For Community Empowerment, Server partners with organizations that focus on family enrichment and well-being including UpTogether, Family Promise, NAMI, and Casa Guadalupe. UpTogether works towards family growth and societal contribution, Family Promise addresses homelessness prevention, NAMI raises awareness about mental health, and Casa Guadalupe promotes the integration of minorities into their local communities.
Within the Education and Skill Development pillar, Server is united with JobWorks MKE, dedicated to assisting Milwaukee's central city residents in overcoming barriers to long-term employment. By addressing challenges such as job instability, limited education, and transportation issues, JobWorks MKE motivates individuals to find sustainable work and achieve self-sufficiency.
Acknowledging the critical issue of Food Security, Server aligns with Upstart Kitchen and Kinship MKE. Upstart Kitchen provides local food entrepreneurs with access to an affordable, fully equipped commercial kitchen and business resources to kickstart or expand their food businesses. Kinship MKE fosters community unity through shared meals, promoting renewal and restoration.
Veterans hold a special place in the heart of the Server family. Our support extends to organizations like Tunnel to Towers, The Navigators, and Fisher House Foundation. We are honored to support the work these teams do each day. Their work reflects our commitment to the health and wellness of veterans and their families. Our donations go beyond financial aid, aiming to enrich the lives of those who have served.
To further continue our outreach, we also encourage our employees to align with organizations whose missions resonate with their personal values through the advantage of paid volunteer time. This approach not only benefits the causes themselves and the people they serve but also enhances employee morale and engagement.
Throughout the year, Server and our employees have actively participated in philanthropic endeavors, finding both meaning and reward in the act of giving back.
Donations
- New in 2023, Server contributed school supplies and employees dedicated their time to support the Boys and Girls Club backpack drive, ensuring that children have the tools they need for educational success.
- Addressing food insecurity is a key focus for Server leadership, leading us to partner with Feeding America and its mission to eliminate hunger from American families.
- We supply Server equipment to organizations like the local Lion’s Club and the American Legions of Washington County who participate in events such as the Washington County fair, contributing to the success of community-driven initiatives.
- To uplift the holiday cheer for local families, employees generously contribute gifts to children whose names are featured on our holiday gift-giving tree.
Youth Outreach
- Investing in the next generation and creating a flourishing future is a priority for Server. Our youth apprenticeship program actively engages students through onsite tours of our facility and visits to local K-12 schools. By encouraging students to explore and ask questions about careers in the manufacturing field, we make the learning experience enjoyable. We infuse a sense of fun by letting students play games and during lunch breaks, take a hands-on approach with our equipment, whether it's dispensing condiments on their hot dogs or pouring cheese sauce on their nachos.
- Beyond education, supporting youth sports programs is another avenue through which Server and our employees passionately contribute – from sponsoring fast pitch teams and making donations to enhance the aesthetics of local soccer fields to participating in high school and trap shooting fundraisers and backing local dance teams. We believe that enriching the lives of young individuals from the inside out is crucial to their growth.
Employee Focus
- Acknowledging and celebrating the dedication of our employees to our collective team and purpose is a priority at Server. We actively organize fun events to provide moments that reinvigorate and relax. Examples include a hot chocolate booth at our Holly Jolly Mingle Jingle and commemorating eight years without a lost time accident with a joyous luncheon, among other events.
- Prospective employees often ask about the work culture around Server. We’re always enthusiastic to share our spirit of unity and collaboration that connects all teams. We find that new employees also resonate with Server's social and community outreach, feeling empowered by our team's encouragement to play an active role in addressing local needs and contributing to the creation of stronger, healthier communities.
Through financial contributions, equipment donations, and volunteer efforts, we are committed to making a substantial impact on local needs and fostering the development of resilient communities.
During one of our recent visits to deliver an annual gift to a supportive agency, our gracious third-generation leader, Kris Falkner, eloquently captured the essence of giving:
"We have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others
every day in every interaction we have with them – we should always take it."