Social K

Volunteerism and giving back to the communities where we live and work has always been part of our DNA at Kellogg. The pandemic certainly made those efforts more difficult to do in person the past few years, let alone with a group of employees. But with 2022 marking Kellogg’s centennial anniversary of operating in the United Kingdom, the Manchester team was ready to celebrate by giving back and creating better days in a big way! 

This past spring, the Kellogg U.K team launched “Volunteer 100,” encouraging employees to participate in 100 volunteering activities while also celebrating the company’s centenary year in the country. Employees were encouraged to use their two company-sponsored volunteering days to give back to one or more of several non-profit organizations in the area that Kellogg has had a standing relationship with. They were also asked to not only track their hours of volunteering but encouraged to share their experiences on social media with the tag #volunteer100. 

Kate Prince, senior manager of ESG for Kellogg Europe, was thrilled with both the turnout and enthusiasm from employees. 

“I think it is in our team’s nature to give back and to do so with a pointed mission of 100 volunteer activities while also commemorating the company’s existence in the UK was truly special,” Kate said. 

The Bread and Butter Thing is one of the non-profits Kellogg partnered with, and where Kate herself volunteered. The organization’s mission is to reduce food waste while ensuring that surplus food goes to the people who need it most throughout the greater Manchester area. One of the volunteer shifts involved three hours of packing, whereby volunteers unloaded vans, sorted food into different bags and handed them out to local members. Other activities included working at the organization’s warehouse where volunteers experienced the end-to-end journey of food redistribution into the Manchester area. 

Kate posted about her experience on LinkedIn, noting, “One of the best parts of my job is getting out and volunteering with our charity partners, something I haven’t been able to do as much during COVID times. So, it was great to be down at The Bread and Butter Thing a couple weeks ago to re-launch volunteering and make a difference in the local community.” 

Emma Ashworth, a customer service manager in supply chain, volunteered with colleagues at an organization called Cornerstone, a day center for homeless and destitute people in Manchester. 

“When I heard Kellogg was supporting volunteering at Cornerstones as part of Volunteer 100, I couldn’t wait to be involved,” Emma said. “Having previously volunteered for them pre-Covid days, I remember how humbling it was, and I was so happy to get involved again.” 

 Emma joined a team of Kellogg employees on May 6 and said they worked non-stop all day, from welcoming everyone who walked through the door to guiding them to a table for a hot meal or to the shower facilities. The group also took orders, organized a ping pong tournament and more! 

“I would absolutely encourage others to get involved with this terrific organization that is doing so much for others,” Emma added. 

Other organized volunteer efforts involved park cleanups and additional programs designed to provide food and nourishment to those in need throughout the Manchester area. 

Volunteering is not only part of our Kellogg culture, but a key component of our Better Days Promise ESG strategy to advance sustainable and equitable access to food by addressing the intersection of wellbeing hunger, sustainability, and equity, diversity and inclusion – all while creating better days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030.