RizePoint kicks off new CSR program – RIZE & SHINE – with volunteer day
“Wake up early. Get dirty. Wear sunscreen.” These were a few of the instructions in an all-company email – not typical requests of employees on the Silicon Slopes, but typical requests if you work on an urban farm. And that’s exactly what Team RizePoint was going to do.
On July 15th, instead of showing up to our Cottonwood Heights office, employees met at the urban farm run by Real Food Rising. Their mission: empower teens with the skills they need to thrive while increasing access to healthy food in Salt Lake. As a SaaS company serving the food industry, RizePoint supports organizations that provide access, education, and resources for sustainable food initiatives. Technology education and global action are the other two focus areas of our new CSR program, RIZE & SHINE.
Getting Dirty
40 employees arrived with matching smiles, shirts, and sunscreen. To start the day, we ate breakfast while learning about Real Food Rising’s mission. Then we divided into teams and set to work getting dirty. One group planted watermelon seeds and harvested pursaline – a “weed” that sells for $8/lb.! Another group processed garlic and sprayed plants with fertilizer & pesticides. Don’t worry, this is an organic operation so the fertilizer was fish emulsion and the pesticide was a combination of blue Dawn soap, cayenne pepper, and water.
We wrapped up the day with Even Stevens sandwiches – a local sandwich shop with a 1 for 1 model similar to Tom’s shoes – while doing an activity about sustainable agriculture’s role in our global water supply.
Our CEO, Frank Maylett, was so inspired by the day and Real Food Rising’s mission that – in addition to 140 hours from the team – he announced RizePoint would make a $1,000 donation.
This was more than a feel-good activity. We put our money where our mouth is. The office is buzzing with stories from the day, and we’re already debating if it’s possible to have a farm day in the snow.
About RIZE & SHINE
This volunteer day marked the official launch of our new corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative: RIZE & SHINE.
RIZE & SHINE encompasses our existing efforts to be a good corporate citizen. From our STEM scholarship partnership with Canyons School District to our diversity efforts, RIZE & SHINE formalizes our community, philanthropy, and environmental commitments.
In 2016, our RIZE & SHINE efforts will include 4 quarterly service days, in-kind software donations, and employee donations. Our volunteer program alone will amount to more than 2,500 hours spent in the community each year. We plan to expand these programs every year and be a Silicon Slopes leader in CSR.
Our efforts will focus on three core themes: global awareness meets action, sustainable food systems, and technology education. By focusing our efforts and creating strategic partnerships, we can increase our CSR impact. We chose these focus areas to align with our mission and the global presence of our clientele.
Global Awareness Meets Action
A global consciousness means we will do our part to make the world a better place for all people. With our volunteer and corporate giving efforts, we support organizations offering aid and solutions to humanitarian crises.
Technology Education
Technology education is a necessity in the 21st century. With our volunteer and corporate giving efforts, we support STEM education, with a particular focus on access to technology education for girls and underprivileged children.
Sustainable Food Systems
A sustainable food system means growing, distributing, and disposing of food in a safe and ecological way. With our volunteer and corporate giving efforts, we support organizations that provide access, education, and resources for sustainable food initiatives.
To learn more about our new program visit our RIZE & SHINE page.