2021 Spirit of Philanthropy Corporate Responsibility Leader Award Riesbeck ’ s Food Markets ’ Elm Grove Location
By Paul Daugherty
In an April 2020 Harvard Business Review article titled , “ Coronavirus is Putting Corporate Social Responsibility to the Test ,” Mark Kramer writes that the way companies respond to the pandemic will be a defining moment that will be remembered for years .
Now , as West Virginia moves from COVID-19 response to recovery , Riesbeck ’ s Food Markets ’ Elm Grove location — the 2021 Spirit of Philanthropy Corporate Responsibility Leader Award honoree — is in its defining moment and , by Kramer ’ s standards , making a positive impact with its generosity .
Riesbeck ’ s Elm Grove location exemplifies what it means when a company combines its goals , ambitions and values of creating a strong business , advancing entrepreneurship , delivering high-quality service to customers and investing in its community to find the best alignment for success .
Founded in 1925 and located along National Road in Wheeling , WV , this family-owned grocery chain serving West Virginia and Ohio has a long history of leadership , humility and service .
Keith Miller , volunteer manager for Catholic Charities West Virginia , nominated the managers and staff of the Elm Grove store for the award due to their dedication
Smart Office
Reduce Your Office Operating Expenses With Us !
Look to KOMAX Business Systems when you need to increase productivity and reduce operating costs . We can also provide service and supplies for you current printer fleet .
• Multifunction Printing Systems
• Production Print Systems
• Wide Format Systems
• IT Services / Managed IT
• Print Cost Recovery
• Folder & Inserter Solutions
• Document Imaging & Management • Paper Shredders
• OCR & Document Conversions • Managed Print Services - MPS
• Postage Meters ( Service for HP , Lexmark , Dell , etc .)
500 D Street South Charleston , WV 25303 ( 304 ) 744-7440 Visit us at : www . komaxwv . com
and support of the Catholic Charities Neighborhood Center in Wheeling . The purpose of the Corporate Responsibility Leader Award is to recognize outstanding companies of any size that are actively donating , volunteering and making a difference in their local communities and the state . Honorees must have a strong commitment to community , leadership and equitable practices in their giving .
Riesbeck ’ s Food Markets exemplifies West Virginia ’ s locally owned business identity and its commitment to community by donating more than 1,800 pounds of food each week for those most in need through the Catholic Charities Neighborhood Center . The spirit of generosity the employees , owners and company represent is tremendous , and they always do their humanitarian work humbly and without boasting . In a time when food insecurity and food deserts are growing in West Virginia — especially during the past year and half — Riesbeck ’ s delivery of quality food and nutrition are more critical now than ever before .
“ They give us their pastries , chicken , beef and other types of meat every week , several times a week , and it really helps with our pantry and meal delivery services ,” says Miller . “ They bend over backward for us and treat us like kings . They love the community and it shows .”
Riesbeck ’ s not only donates food but also supplies Catholic Charities with items for its pantry , including paper and plastic bags and boxes to carry food home .
Daily , the generosity and support from Riesbeck ’ s Food Markets feeds more than 150 people , providing healthy and nutritious meals . These meals are made on-site and delivered through the neighborhood center ’ s meal delivery service and to many people through its Tuesday and Thursday food pantries . This is due in part to the local stores ’ management and employees .
“ With Reisbeck ’ s philanthropic support , they help feed the homeless , disabled , elderly and low-income citizens of our community and region ,” says Miller .
West Virginia is fortunate to have dedicated locally owned businesses not only making an impact through their corporate returns but also with their philanthropic investments . As the employees , managers and family are humble leaders , their generosity and leadership serve as examples for others to model .
80
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE