“It started as a way for us to get rid of the excess product during the COVID pandemic, but it quickly turned into a long relationship between Dot and Charity Crossing,” explained Nakishia Bailey, the Human Resources Manager at Dot Foods Delaware.
Bailey first connected with Charity Crossing through volunteering with her church. She knew what great work Charity Crossing was doing and thought Dot could help.
“We work with Charity Crossing because we know it’s effective, and we know it’s working,” says Bailey. “They show up when they need to and deliver results.”
Dot Foods was founded in 1960 by Robert (RT) and Dorothy Tracy in Mt. Sterling, Illinois. They dreamed of solving problems within the food supply chain and creating good quality jobs in their community. With eight children at home, little money, and only a station wagon, the early days were challenging. But the Tracys found success through hard work and dedication. They always were passionate about helping others, and as their company became successful, it provided them more opportunity to give back.
Dot continued to build on the foundation laid by RT and Dorothy. All of the company’s locations have a charitable committee focusing on community outreach. Dot focuses its charitable work on five different areas: community development and engagement, diversity and inclusion, education, health and wellness, and public safety. The company organizes two corporate giving campaigns annually, supporting the Alzheimer’s Association and United Way. Employees contribute, and Dot matches their donations. The company also does a major food donations program each year called the Neighbor to Neighbor program; each Dot location is given $30,000 in products to distribute to local food pantries. The recipient pantries are invited to shop from a list of available products so they can stock their shelves with the products their clients need most. Last year, Dot’s Neighbor to Neighbor program donated and delivered more than $330,000 of food products to 67 food pantries in just 2021 alone. Dot is always looking for new ways to give back, and the Delaware facility is thrilled with its partnership with Charity Crossing.
“We just work really well together as a team,” Bailey says.
Using Dot’s donations, Charity Crossing has been able to help thousands across the New Castle and Kent Counties. Each pickup from Dot helps feed hundreds of families. Dot Foods and Charity Crossing have formed a great partnership that will continue to give back to the Delaware community.
