A2H helping area nonprofits, people by giving back monthly

Published 6:00 am Sunday, February 28, 2016

An Oxford engineering, architectural and planning firm is hosting a food drive to celebrate the company’s 30th anniversary.

Christina Babu, a marketing and communication specialist with A2H Engineers, Architects and Planners, said the company is hosting a food drive for the Mid-South Food Bank at three office locations, including Oxford.

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Community members can drop off food at A2H’s Oxford office at 1308 North Lamar Blvd., Suite 1.

“Our staff is grateful to the Mid-South community for allowing us to grow and prosper over the years,” Babu said. “As a result, A2H employees launched a campaign called #thankful30 to show our gratitude by giving back to the community that supported us for 30 years.”

Giving back

Each month, staff members will volunteer their time or donate canned goods to different local charities.

“For example, in January, we gathered and assembled care packages for Memphis International Faith Association to benefit senior citizens in the area,” Babu said. The company also has offices in Memphis and Jackson, Tennessee. “Our staff is currently voting on what organization to support for the month of March.”

The company is supporting the Mid-South Food Bank during the month of February. The food bank serves 228 agencies with 293 charitable feeding programs in 31 counties in West Tennessee, North Mississippi and East Arkansas.

These agencies include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, youth programs, rehabilitation centers, residential programs, senior programs and day cares.

“They saw the food drive as a great opportunity to have employees give back, as well as engage the local community to join us in this endeavor,” Babu said. “As we continue to help a different organization each month this year, we hope the public becomes inspired and participates with us.”

These efforts will continue through the end of 2016.

Community involvement

Babu said they are gathering packaged, nonperishable foods, such as canned meats, canned vegetables, cereal and dried pasta. The food bank requests no foods in glass containers.

“Our goal is to collect 1,500 items of food,” Babu said. “Our original goal was 500 items, but due to popular response, we increased the goal and extended the deadline to March 11, instead of Feb. 29.”

Babu said the company’s mission is “Creating an enhanced quality of life for our clients and community.”

“We’d like to engage people in supporting one another, whether through efforts like donating to this food drive or helping another organization of their choice that enhances the community,” she said.

Andy Reynolds, a landscape architect with the company, said the community food drive was cultivated directly from A2H employees.

“Organizing community-focused endeavors is the root of our company DNA,” Reynolds said in a news release. “This is evident, not only from the types of projects we manage, but also from the many volunteer efforts our staff does outside the office.”

For more information, visit www.a2h.com/latest-updates/2016/thankful-for-30-years.

The company is using the Twitter hashtag #thankful30 for its philanthropic efforts.