When Cisco’s Governance Risk and Controls group received a 2006 Range Rover HSE Sport Wagon as part of a court settlement, they decided to auction the car and turn the proceeds over to Second Harvest.
“With just over 23,000 miles and still under factory warranty, we knew the vehicle would sell for a significant amount,” said Jeff Bonham, senior manager, Service Abuse Investigations. “We decided that the proceeds from the auction would better serve the community. Our group was familiar with Second Harvest from previous volunteering events at their facility and it made sense to have the auction benefit the Food Bank.”
An internal website was launched, followed by email promotions and Cisco signage promoting the auction to U.S. based Cisco employees. At the close of the auction, a lucky Cisco employee drove away with a great vehicle, and the Food Bank received a donation for the full winning bid amount of $34,600.
"The proceeds from the auction come at a critical time for Second Harvest," says Van Dang, vice president, Legal Counsel, and Second Harvest Food Bank board member. "Donations from Cisco and our employees provide a tremendous opportunity for those in need, especially at a time when so many are struggling to provide for their families.”
The funds will go towards the Food Bank’s Share Your Lunch summer campaign that aims to feed 85,000 children a month this summer. During the school year, children from low-income families receive free and reduced price breakfast and lunches through their school’s nutrition program. When school is out for the summer, these meals are not available and these children are at an increased risk for hunger as their parents struggle to stretch already tight budgets even farther.
“Providing nutrition for children during the summer months is a necessity,” says Marguerite Lee, Corporate Community Relations Manager for Cisco. “Keeping them healthy and prepared for the school year is key to their academic achievement and sets them up for future success.”
Pictured from left to right: Jeff Bonham (Cisco), Tami Cardenas (Second Harvest), Tim Walker (Cisco) and Marguerite Lee (Cisco).
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