Aramark Empowers Boston Children and Families To Improve Health and Wellness
Aramark Establishes Healthy For Life™ Zone at Curley Community Center During first Global Volunteer Day
Boston, MA, March 19, 2014 /3BL Media/ - Many of the South Boston families served by Curley Community Center face health and wellness challenges. In fact, public health officials estimate that by the time the children in their families reach high school, a third of all public high school students in Boston are overweight, or even obese.
Recognizing the health and wellness issues in Boston and around the world, Aramark is extending its health and wellness commitment, Healthy For Life™ underserved communities. As a result of the company’s inaugural Global Volunteer Day on March 19, more than125 local employees will provide children and families with better access to healthy food, nutrition education and active play and physical activity spaces.
In partnership with the Curley Community Center, a member of the Boston Centers for Youth and Families, Aramark will establish a Healthy for Life™ Zone that will be a year-round hub for health and wellness education and awareness. Volunteers will prepare family meal kits that children can take home and share with their families and children will also receive mini vegetable-growing kits they can cultivate themselves. Aramark employees will also enhance the center’s exercise rooms, painting inspiring sports and fitness murals throughout the facilities to encourage physical fitness.
“Our passion for volunteerism and our significant health and wellness expertise allow us to positively impact the communities where we live and work,” said Frank Mendicino, President, Aramark Strategic Assets. “We are committed to providing families here in Boston and those elsewhere around the world with the tools and resources they need to live healthier lifestyles, not only on Global Volunteer Day, but every day of the year.”
“The hard work of the Aramark volunteers who will be donating their time will make such a big difference in our ability to serve the community,” said Fred Ahern, Administrative Coordinator at the BCYF Curley Community Center. “We’re honored to partner with Aramark for their Global Volunteer Day Boston project.”
In communities like South Boston where low-income residents have limited access to nutritious and healthy options, childhood obesity is a major concern. Aramark’s Healthy For Life™ community engagement program educates families on simple steps and concepts such as finding healthy choices on a limited budget, preparing inexpensive, nutritious meals and introducing children to healthy food choices.
Global Volunteer Day is an extension of Aramark Building Community, the company’s volunteer and philanthropic program that enriches lives by helping improve family health, preparing youth and adults for work and supporting individuals working their way out of poverty in Boston and in 52 cities additional around the world. Through Aramark Building Community, the company donates time, expertise, financial and in-kind resources to help families in need. Since 2008, in partnership with community centers around the world, Aramark’s employees have impacted the lives of more than four million families. Please join us on Facebook.
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About Boston Centers for Youth & Families
The BCYF Curley Community Center is one of 35 facilities under Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF.) Across every neighborhood of Boston, BCYF community centers offer a rich menu of opportunities for young people and their families. BCYF programs are designed to support healthy youth development and extend learning beyond the classroom. As the largest youth and human service agency in Boston, BCYF serves over 14,000 youth in the summer alone and thousands more attend drop-in programs, special events and activities.
About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) is in the customer service business across food, facilities and uniforms, wherever people work, learn, recover, and play. United by a passion to serve, our more than 270,000 employees deliver experiences that enrich and nourish the lives of millions of people in 22 countries around the world every day. Aramark is recognized among the Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE and the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
