Insights > Good for the Muscles and the Soul

Good for the Muscles and the Soul

04/26/2017

Michael Grumich was just starting to break a sweat as he lifted another box of food onto a conveyor belt at the Second Harvest Food Bank.

“This is an excellent physical workout,” the Entergy retiree said. “It’s good for the muscles and the soul.”

He was among more than 200 Entergy employees and retirees who volunteered their time at five food banks across Louisiana as part of National Volunteer Week.

Altogether, Entergy employees packed or sorted almost 20 tons of food, enough to provide more than 30,000 meals for Louisianians in need. 

Colleen Guillot, a senior executive assistant at Entergy, boxes canned goods at Second Harvest Food Bank’s warehouse in Elmwood.

Dozens of Entergy employees volunteered at the Second Harvest Food Bank warehouse in Elmwood, just outside of New Orleans. Second Harvest works with 582 partners and programs across 23 parishes. It is the largest anti-hunger network in Louisiana.

The good works also came with a hint of classic comedy as the volunteers sorted and boxed food passing by them on a conveyor belt at Second Harvest.

“I feel like I’m on ‘I Love Lucy’ wrapping the candy,” executive assistant Becky Hervey said as cans and boxes of food rolled by on the conveyor belt.

Altogether, Entergy employees packed or sorted almost 20 tons of food, enough to provide more than 30,000 meals for Louisianians in need.

Other locations where teams of Entergy volunteers helped included:

  • Gretna Food Bank
  • Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
  • Monroe’s Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana
  • Abraham’s Tent in Lake Charles

The work was a little different at Abraham’s Tent. Entergy volunteers helped feed hot meals to more than 100 people, who also received a care package, clothes and a city bus ticket to return for a meal the next day.

Engineering associates Nathan Stowell and Jarrod Frost joined Roderick Worthy, customer service representative, to help the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana in Monroe.

Taking time to volunteer during a busy work week required some juggling of responsibilities, but Amanda Webre was happy to do it and proud she works for Entergy.

“I’m here because I want to give back, and I think it’s great that our company supports us and encourages us to give back to the community,” the paralegal said.

Administrative specialist Georgina Songy agreed. “I’m here to do something positive and represent the company in giving back, to help people who are our friends and neighbors,” she said.

Lineman Martin Jackson said, “One of the major contributions in life besides raising children is helping and uplifting others. Personally, I receive more simply because I know for a fact that I'm physically and specifically helping someone for the better. And with Entergy’s policy, I'm able to give back even though I have a very demanding job. It's awesome!”


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Michael Burns
Manager, Entergy Louisiana Communications