Fighting Hunger in our own Hometowns

My recent award as one of Sodexo Foundation’s Heroes of Everyday Life resulted in a trip to Capitol Hill where I had the honor of meeting Senator Scott Brown from my hometown of Massachusetts and Congressman John Tierney who is my Representative from Salem.

During our meetings we were able to talk about the problem of hunger in the commonwealth and specifically about hunger in the city where I live, Beverly. I was excited to meet both of these men and thrilled when they sat down with me to discuss the problem of hunger.   They also both showed genuine interest in the fundraiser that I had to celebrate my 50th birthday. I explained how I raised over $2500 in cash and food donations that were donated to Beverly Bootstraps and that this donation was matched by the Feinstein Foundation, a hunger fighting nonprofit.   Both Senator Brown and Representative Tierney assured me that they were doing everything they could to help end hunger, especially for young children. They both asked what inspired my fundraising and I said that it was a combination of how I was raised by my parents and the commitment that Sodexo has to ending hunger. The trip to "The Hill" was certainly the highlight of my trip to DC.  All of the Sodexo representatives who were with us during our visit certainly made us comfortable and made this a most memorable time for my wife, son, as well as myself.   My trip to the nation’s capitol has inspired me to do even more to end hunger – and I hope my story inspires you to do the same.   Paul Belski is a Sodexo General Manager at Endicott College, in Beverly, Massachusetts. Each year, the Sodexo Foundation recognizes Sodexo employees who invest their time, talent, and service spirit in helping some of the 49 million people who are at risk of hunger in the United States. Paul is a 2010 recipient of the Sodexo Foundation’s Heroes of Everyday Life award. Sodexo congratulates Paul for all he does at Sodexo and his community.   SODEXO8006