Sodexo Employees Honored as "Heroes of Everyday Life”
By Scott Sherman, Executive Recruiter

The Sodexo Foundation, the independent charitable arm of Sodexo, recognized the volunteerism by several Sodexo employees on June 4th, as the 2009 "Heroes of Everyday Life” were honored at a fundraising event in Washington, D.C. The award, now in its tenth year, honors employees who are making a difference in the fight against hunger in their local communities. The eight 2009 Heroes demonstrated outstanding efforts that included creating and serving meals, conducting food collection drives, organizing fundraising events, and engaging families for holiday events in their home states of Tennessee, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Minnesota and Arizona. In addition to the recognition, the Sodexo Foundation makes a $5,000 grant in the name of each Hero to the hunger-related organization of their choice.

The 2009 "Heroes of Everyday Life” are: Glen Berkel, Johnson City, Tenn.; Teresa Byrne, Des Plaines, Ill.; Marilyn Conley, Bellingham, Mass.; Gary Hutchinson, Leola, Pa.; Paul Paltrineri, Keene, N.H.; David Randle, Chicago, Ill.; Laurie Tutora, St. Paul, Minn.; and Mike Wojtanowski, Gilbert, Ariz.

"A spirit of service is one of Sodexo’s core values and we depend on all our employees to embody this mission every day in the course of their work,” said Stephen J. Brady, President of the Sodexo Foundation. "These ’Heroes of Everyday Life’ have set a new standard for service by contributing to their communities and to people in need, giving their time and talents. This is so vital for families who critically need help as our economy continues to be difficult. The Sodexo Heroes are role models for all of us.”

For nearly 15 years, Sodexo and the Sodexo Foundation have supported innovative programs to help children and families in the United States who are battling problems such as poverty, unemployment, lack of education, and food insecurity as part of its STOP Hunger initiative. The Sodexo Foundation has provided $11 million in grants to hunger-related organizations since 1999, including those supported by the Heroes.

For their stories, please visit www.SodexoFoundation.org