FedEx team helps each other and their community following Michigan tornado
Giving back to and taking care of our local communities is at the heart of FedEx Cares and our Kalamazoo team demonstrated their courage, selflessness, and service following a tornado in May.
On May 7, an EF2 tornado with 135 mph winds ripped through the FedEx facility in Kalamazoo, Mich. Even though there was significant damage to the building, the team acted quickly to get to shelter and safely evacuate once the storm passed. Thanks to their outstanding efforts, no one was hurt.
Incredibly, the team was up and running the very next day at neighboring facilities, where they delivered more than 7,000 medical and perishable packages on time.
FedEx President and CEO Raj Subramaniam and other executives recently visited and recognized team members.
“Thanks to the entire team for your dedication, drive, and heart – and for putting our core values, safety above all and take care of one another, first and foremost in all that you do.” Raj told the group.
Throughout this time, the team also considered the affect of the tornado on the surrounding community and “knew people in the area would need help because so many lost everything in the storm,” said Shawna Sutton, Senior Office Administrator at FedEx.
To help with immediate needs, the FedEx team requested a charitable grant through the Community Engagement Fund (CEF) for an organization that they had volunteered with previously. The CEF helps U.S. team members request charitable dollars for nonprofits they support through volunteering.
Shawna and the team demonstrated the impact the Community Engagement Fund has on communities by nominating Twelve Baskets, a local food pantry, for a charitable grant and by encouraging team members to volunteer. Twelve Baskets currently serves more than 350 families each week at grocery distribution and operates a Free Store to assist with meeting basic needs for clothing and household items.
To learn more about how FedEx Cares gives back to local communities, please visit our Community Engagement page.