COVID can’t stop tradition of giving
“Federal Reserve Bank employees have a culture of giving, and even COVID-19 can’t stop it,” according to Rod Broome, treasurer of the former employees lunch club.
The Club has held quarterly lunches since 1990 until this year when COVID caused a cancellation of the time-honored gatherings. Rod asked the club members what they thought about all donating $10.00 as they all saw the massive demand nationwide on food shelves. Even though they weren’t getting together for lunch, Rod still wanted to give back. The response was unbelievable: members donated over $3,000 to The Food Group.
30 years of lunches
Since they started the lunch club, the members have collected money and canned food items for various charity organizations in the Twin Cities. Eventually, the Club chose to donate exclusively to The Food Group.
A history of helping
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has a long history of encouraging its employees to support local charities that it had partnerships with such as United Way. Many employees independently support charities and causes that are dear to their hearts. “Back when our Club members worked, we regarded us all as the ‘Fed Family,’” Rod says, “Our Club members still feel that way today since many of them worked alongside each other and knew each other for decades.” As of today, the Club has some 170 members. About 90% of that number retired from the Bank after many years of work there—many with 30+ years of service.
We are so grateful for the community of supporters who have stepped up to help with our emergency response. The abundance of generosity and support around us has been incredible to provide food to those in need and care for those most impacted.
To make a donation to our Emergency Response Fund, visit our donation page- thefoodgroupmn.thankyou4caring.org/Donate
