Robyn Korkus heard The Action Center was facing logistical challenges that could have hampered its annual Thanksgiving grocery box distribution. She immediately started thinking about ways Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies could make this Thanksgiving food distribution a reality for the thousands of people relying on it.
"I immediately thought, 'Terumo BCT can do this,''" Korkus recalls. "The Action Center has construction in its warehouse with the conveyor belt where the Thanksgiving boxes have traditionally been assembled. They didn't have a place to stage 1,400 food boxes."
"I knew my colleagues at Terumo BCT would gladly step up and manually assemble the boxes. Our Lakewood operations team immediately found places in our warehouses to temporarily store the food supplies. Other Terumo BCT employees got to work signing up the company's workforce for volunteer shifts on our campus to get this job done," says Korkus, a member of The Action Center's Board of Directors and a Terumo BCT Vice President.
Lakewood-based Terumo BCT, a medical technology company, makes products that collect, process, and separate blood and cells used in blood donations and blood transfusions. Located in Jefferson County for nearly 60 years, the company employs about 2,000 in Colorado and more than 8,000 people globally. The Action Center is just one of the many local nonprofits. Terumo BCT is a long-time supporter of The Action Center's overall mission and works to serve the community. The pair have collaborated on the Thanksgiving event in many years past.
The Action Center, serving Jefferson County, Colorado, provides Thanksgiving grocery boxes for 5,700 people. The meal kits are designed to help offset the total cost of Thanksgiving dinner.
An estimated one in three Coloradans are facing food insecurity. The problem has only been propelled by inflation and the increasing cost of many items, including rent and clothing. Rising costs can mean the difference between paying for necessities and being able to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends for the thousands of people The Action Center assists.
The 2023 annual Action Center Thanksgiving grocery box distribution will occur on the Terumo BCT campus on Nov. 18, 2023, with the company's employees distributing the food boxes alongside Action Center staff and volunteers.
To learn more about The Action Center, donate, or find out how you can help or obtain assistance, please visit theactioncenter.org.
About The Action Center
The Action Center is a human-service non-profit organization located in Lakewood, CO serving those that face hardship or are experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County. The organization strengthens the fabric of its community by meeting needs in a compassionate way that connects those in need to resources, such as food and clothing and promotes pathways to lasting change. The organization offers the single-most comprehensive range of services in Jefferson County. You can learn about the organization's services, ways to get involved, or make a donation at www.theactioncenter.org.
About Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies is a medical technology company. Our products, software and services enable customers to collect and prepare blood and cells to help treat challenging diseases and conditions.
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies' customers include blood centers, hospitals, therapeutic apheresis clinics, cell collection and processing organizations, researchers, plasma collection facilities and private medical practices. Our customers are based in over 160 countries across the globe. We have 750+ granted patents, with more than 150 additionally pending.
We have global headquarters in Lakewood, Colo., U.S.A., along with five regional headquarters, eight manufacturing sites and six innovation and development centers across the globe. Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies is a subsidiary of Terumo Corporation (TSE: 4543), a global leader in medical technology.