Fall 2021
GSF Foundation Donates Nearly 1,200 Pairs of Children’s Shoes Across the United States
This year, GSF Foundation (GSFF) Committees throughout the U.S. have organized shoe donations for children and families in need. Among the seven GSFF Committees participating this year, Quality Customs Distribution (QCD) Albuquerque, Chicago West, and Kansas City, along with KanPak Arkansas City, have already teamed up with local elementary schools to donate nearly 1,200 total pairs of children’s shoes so far through GSFF’s Best Foot Forward program. Three more local committees will complete their shoe donations by the end of 2021.

“Associate donations fund programs like Best Foot Forward to benefit families experiencing financial hardships, so children may receive new, brand-name shoes that fit well and make them feel confident. This core Foundation program not only provides children with quality shoes, but also helps enhance their quality of life by encouraging them to get outside and exercise.”

– Tess McAnena, Executive Director, GSF Foundation
Volunteers Donate 3,000 Hours of Service in First Three Quarters of 2021
Congratulations to the Foundation teams from QCD Frisco, Texas (411 hours; large-sized committee) and KanPak Penn Yan, New York (364 hours; medium-sized committee) for leading all local Foundation Committees in third quarter volunteer hours! Leading 2021 year-to-date, the Foundation teams from Opelika, Alabama and Frisco, Texas have each logged more than 600 hours volunteered by associates. So far for 2021 overall, associates have given 3,000 service hours across the Foundation's 28 U.S. Committees.
GSF Foundation’s 12,000+ Backpack Donations Send Students Back to School Ready to Learn
As students prepared for their first days back on campus this year, the GSF Foundation mobilized volunteers across the U.S. to stuff backpacks with new school supplies and donate them to children who would otherwise go without these learning essentials. A total of 19 local committees participated in the GSF Foundation’s Back(pack) to School program with 12,256 backpacks donated to elementary students in the communities where Golden State Foods associates live and work.


“In contrast to last year’s drive-thru backpack distributions, many Foundation committees were able to handout backpacks in person, as kids return to the classroom. Not only did our volunteers fund these donations through their contributions, but they took the time to stuff backpacks together and personally deliver them to local children. That level of care and dedication is what makes our GSF Foundation volunteers so special!”

– Vanessa Hugon, Program and Development Specialist, GSF Foundation
QCD Chicago West Associates Launch GSF Foundation Committee
In September, associates at the Quality Custom Distribution (QCD) Chicago West facility located in Romeoville, Illinois officially launched their GSF Foundation (GSFF) Committee to help improve the lives of local children and families in need. Before their launch, committee members proposed ideas for fundraisers, such as in-house tournaments, March Madness brackets, and Super bowl activities to raise money for Foundation initiatives.

“Our associates are eager to get the Foundation initiates moving and make a positive impact here in Chicago. Our committee worked hard preparing for this launch, and we are thrilled to officially introduce the GSF Foundation team at this facility.”

– Daniel Alvarez, GSFF Committee Chair and Operators Supervisor, QCD Chicago West
Sharing Your Stories
This fall, KanPak’s GSF Foundation team in Kanas launched the Free Little Library initiative to help increase book availability in their community. This facility sponsors a little library donated to Pershing Park by the Ark City Early Literacy Coalition and sourced through the non-profit Free Little Library. Every Monday, volunteers restock the library with new books for children to enjoy in the park or take home to read. Associates' contributions provide local kids with resources to further develop literacy, vocabulary, and language comprehension skills. This initiative brings learning to the park and leaves a lasting impression on the community.
“Many people in our local community say that when they drive by the park, there are a lot of kids and their families sitting at the tables reading. Seeing that impact and helping the kids in our community, whether it’s in big or small ways, is such a wonderful feeling. None of this would be possible without each and every GSFF volunteer. You are putting books in the hands of children in need.”

– Connie Shire, GSFF Committee Chair and Project Manager, KanPak Kansas
QCD Frisco Honored with Golden Heart Award
In October, GSF Global Branding and Communications (GB&C) honored QCD Frisco’s GSFF Committee and its Communications Chair, Alexa Elliot, with a Golden Heart Award for an outstanding year of communications efforts for both internal and external purposes. Alexa went above and beyond in partnering with the GB&C team, providing thorough updates and photos of her Committee’s local Foundation initiatives. Her team also shared impactful stories with associates about GSFF events through Frisco’s Intranet facility location page. Additionally, Alexa supported GB&C’s outreach for media coverage opportunities, resulting in a positive print and online article about the Foundation’s Bike Building program in The Dallas Morning News.
Quiz for A Kids' Cause
Enter for a Chance to Win a $250 Donation
Congratulations to Matt Lorenz of QCD Charlotte!
Matt Lorenz, GM Designate for QCD Charlotte, has won the summer Heartline Quiz for a Kids' Cause and will receive a $250 donation to his local GSFF Charlotte Committee for the benefit of children and families in his community.

Don't miss your next quick and simple opportunity to win a $250 donation to your children's charity of choice. The GSF Foundation invites Heartline readers to take a quiz about this newsletter edition by December 31, 2021:
About GSFF's Quiz for A Kids' Cause
  • All correct quiz responses received by December 31, 2021 will be entered into this quarter's random drawing for one $250 donation to the winner's eligible children's charity of choice.
  • Eligible charities include GSFF Local Committees and non-profit 501(c)3 organizations that align with the GSF Foundation's mission of improving the lives of children and families in need in the places where GSF associates live and work.