Ecocentricity Blog: Feeling Gratitudinal
Here's hoping that you are able to gather with your family and friends this week and find peace and joy in the time spent together. It really is a special time of year. And "gratitudinal" should really be a word.
Special Food Distribution Held for Families in Need
On Tues., Nov. 20 Roadrunner Food Bank will hold a special holiday mobile food pantry distribution to provide food to low-income families and their children right before the Thanksgiving. The distribution will take place at the Cesar Chavez Community Center located at 7505 Kathryn Ave SE starting at 3 pm. It is estimated that more than 400 families will be provided food to take home and receive help with additional services also such as: assistance applying for SNAP (food stamp) benefits, flu shots and other health screenings, Medicare and Medicaid registration, information about housing services, adult literacy help and other services assisting low-income and at-risk people in the community.
Astellas Global Health Foundation Launches
Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., "Astellas") announced the launch of the Astellas Global Health Foundation (AGHF), a new international philanthropic organization dedicated to improving access to health in underserved global communities. Key areas of focus for the AGHF initially will be neglected tropical and communicable diseases, children’s health and mental health in low-income communities and low-and middle-income countries where Astellas, a company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world, does not have a commercial presence. Additionally, AGHF will fund programs that build healthier communities and provide disaster preparedness and relief in these same geographies.
If You Build It, They Will Come
At Symantec, we know that corporate responsibility is not only the right thing to do, it is directly linked to employee retention, productivity, and overall engagement.A recent study conducted by Glassdoor found that 75 percent of employees and job seekers expect their employer to support the communities in which they do business through donations and/or volunteer efforts.

We work hard to attract and retain talented employees and we’re committed to building a culture that enables our people to apply their time and talents to the issues they care most deeply about. A big part of this commitment is our annual Global Service Week (GSW), a time to join together to improve the communities where we live and work.
Xylem Employees Volunteer Over 10,000 Hours During Annual October Global Month of Service
Xylem is proud to announce that its employees volunteered over 10,000 hours across the globe during Xylem Watermark’s Annual October Global Month of Service. Through water source clean-ups, restoration projects, educational water monitoring activities, beach and park clean-ups, community building initiatives, and more, Xylem employee volunteers displayed their true commitment to addressing the global water crisis and protecting safe water resources for communities around the world. With participation from over 100 sites across 34 countries, and over 200 events held worldwide during the month of October, Xylem commends its employees and their dedication to Xylem Watermark’s mission, which led to the biggest Global Month of Service yet.
Erb Faculty Director, Joe Arvai Talks Metrics at Innovation Forum: Measuring Business Outcomes and Impacts, and Capacity Building
Ian Welsh and Joe Arvai, professor of sustainability, and faculty director at the University of Michigan’s Erb Institute, discuss the challenges companies face in measuring their impact. [20:47-31:29]. Arvai discusses the information overload affecting companies when it comes to measuring their impact and the apparent confusion between impact and outcomes. Where outcomes measure the incremental improvements against previously outlined benchmarks on a path to sustainability, impact instead gets at whether companies are meeting their fundamental goals. "In the sustainability space there is so much more to it.”
What If Everyone Had Access to a Toilet?
Throughout my 25-year career at Kohler Co., I’ve traveled the world and witnessed firsthand how a lack of sanitation impacts communities. It’s heartbreaking to hear the stories of young girls who’ve stopped going to school simply because they don’t have proper toileting facilities. Without an education, it’s difficult to dream, to dare, to pursue a different life. At Kohler Co., we’re imagining a better future for these girls and for everyone.
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