Plans are being made for this long weekend. Whether gathering with loved ones, enjoying family traditions, or preparing meals, this time of the year is about recognizing all there is to be thankful for and finding ways to give back to those in need. It’s a harsh reality that this season one in eight households in Canada will go without access to a warm meal and experience food insecurity.
#SAPCanadaCares by Fighting Food Insecurity
Teams across Canada have long treasured the opportunity to play a hands-on role in SAP’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy through volunteering. In 2024, SAP Canada employees from coast-to-coast have already volunteered 722 hours with causes that are directly impacting our communities. From toy drives to park clean-ups and supporting local shelters, SAP employees in Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto, Waterloo, and Montreal take pride in making a difference in their communities.
“Every day, I have the privilege of witnessing the impact our employees have on our communities through volunteering,” said Kate Booth, CSR Director SAP North America & Latin America. “Whether it’s through hands-on service or utilizing their professional skills, our employees are instrumental in driving the positive change that we are focused on achieving as a company.”
Out of those hours volunteered in Canada, 300+ were driven by SAP Labs Canada employees who set their sights on fighting food insecurity by volunteering at neighbouring nonprofits throughout the year.
Canadians visited food banks almost 2 million times last year, which is a 32 percent increase over the previous year. The demand for help at organizations focused on food insecurity is exceedingly high. The response from SAP Labs Canada employees has been inspiring, with 21 events where we actively forged partnerships with local organizations. SAP Labs Canada has proudly partnered with Welcome Hall Mission in Montreal, Anishnabeg Outreach in Waterloo, and Food Stash Foundation, YWCA Crab Tree Corner, and Salvation Army Vancouver Harbour Light in Vancouver.
To further combat food insecurity, SAP Labs Waterloo organized a Thanksgiving Funds Drive with all donations going to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. One incredibly generous employee even pledged to match donations up to $2,500.
“I’m grateful for all opportunities to give back to my community,” said Roxy Robles, Data Analyst BDC&I P&A Quality & Ops Deployment, SAP Labs Canada. “Volunteering with my colleagues at a local organization was fulfilling and helped me see how even the smallest of tasks leads to meaningful impact.”
The benefits of giving back are plentiful. Employees are experiencing a sense of community in and out of the workplace, as well as seeing the impact they bring when they work together. The opportunity to make life a little brighter for those facing adversity is just one more reason to be thankful this season and a reminder of the impact we can make together as SAP employees.
“Our teams have embraced the challenge to become changemakers in our neighborhoods,” said Cindy Fagen, Managing Director, SAP Labs Canada. “Our strength lies in our people—our employees who show up together to bring their time, energy, and hearts to causes that matter.”
