We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
Home » giving thanks every day
outbound

giving thanks every day

November 1, 2004
Mitch Mac Donald
No Comments

If you live in Florida, you've got to be awfully happy to flip your calendar to November. Though there's no guarantee that Mother Nature won't unleash yet another tropical storm, this month marks the meteorological end to the hurricane season.

And what a season it was. Residents of the Sunshine State saw their little slice of paradise slammed not once, not twice, not three times, but four times. As always, the logistics industry was quick to respond to the disaster. As we reported last month, logistics service providers and their customers quickly mobilized to join the relief effort, sending a steady stream of food staples, medical equipment and construction materials down Interstates 95 and 75 from as far away as Michigan and New England.

Once the goods arrived in Florida, DCs across the state swung into action to get the supplies to those most severely affected by the likes of Ivan and Frances. Some DCs distributed goods right from their sites, in many cases handing out such necessities as water, bread and ice for free.

Though logistics operations receive plenty of public attention for their role in relief efforts in times of crisis, it's important to note that the logistics community is also there 365 days a year working quietly behind the scenes to help those in need. November being the month in which Americans typically give thanks in a ritual nearly four centuries old, it's appropriate to acknowledge them now.

Consider, for instance, the example set by Greg Sevinsky, the head of a Wal-Mart DC in New Hampshire. Over the past four years, Sevinsky has spearheaded a program to donate supplies to financially strapped public schools. Since 1999, needy students have received shoes, backpacks, bicycles, pencils, paper and computers.

Then there's Roadway Express and its tireless support of Christina's Smile, a program that makes dental care available to children in inner cities, in homeless shelters, and from uninsured families among the working poor. By sending specially outfitted trucks out to some 20 communities across the country annually, Christina's Smile has provided more than $10 million in free dental care to 32,000 children since 1990. Roadway Express has donated two 48- foot trailers that have been transformed into mobile clinics, each equipped with dental treatment stations, X-ray equipment and an instrument sterilization area. Roadway maintains and moves the trailers from city to city at no charge.

Others in the logistics community are fighting hunger both at home and abroad. Accenture recently donated $1 million to support the development of a non-profit Global Relief Network. That contribution represents just a small part of Accenture's broader commitment to global hunger relief efforts.

The employees of TNT Logistics North America devote considerable time and resources each year to support the United Nations' World Food Program (WFP). TNT has made a longterm commitment to WFP to support its programs via its annual Walk for Hunger campaigns throughout the United States.

DC VELOCITY's own Cliff Lynch, a well-known veteran of the logistics field (and a gourmet cook to boot), has worked tirelessly in support of the Memphis food bank for years. Last year, he published a cookbook, The Gourmet Logistician: An Oxymoron, and donated a portion of the proceeds to the Memphis program.

We've even heard of companies that structure their organizations to ensure that they give back to the community. Richard Sharpe, head of Competitive Logistics LLC of Georgia, reports that from the day they start work, all employees are required to devote 5 percent of their billable hours to nonprofit service projects. One such project helps nonprofits fighting hunger apply best logistics practices so they can devote more of their resources to feeding the hungry and less to paying freight bills.

As you sit down with your family and friends this Thanksgiving, give thanks not only for the bounty before you, but also for the kind souls in the logistics community who help so many others throughout the year.

Supply Chain Services Business Management & Finance
  • Related Articles

    giving thanks for logistics?

    Back to the future, every day

    Every dog has its day

Mitchmacdonald
Mitch Mac Donald has more than 30 years of experience in both the newspaper and magazine businesses. He has covered the logistics and supply chain fields since 1988. Twice named one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the U.S., he has served in a multitude of editorial and publishing roles. The leading force behind the launch of Supply Chain Management Review, he was that brand's founding publisher and editorial director from 1997 to 2000. Additionally, he has served as news editor, chief editor, publisher and editorial director of Logistics Management, as well as publisher of Modern Materials Handling. Mitch is also the president and CEO of Agile Business Media, LLC, the parent company of DC VELOCITY and CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly.

Recent Articles by Mitch Mac Donald

20 years later, the question remains the same: Are you up to SPEED?

Hail and farewell: interview with Gail Rutkowski

Thought I’d something more to say …

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Big and bulky last-mile delivery segment set for hot growth

  • Outlook 2023: What’s in store for logistics/supply chain?

  • Ports, maritime operators see tide turning as ocean freight tsunami subsides

  • In Person: Steve Beverly of Penske

  • InPerson interview: Rob McKeel of Fortna

Now Playing on DCV-TV

89cfed30 8aac 4284 960d c8c8c1886e16

Have you checked your read rate lately?

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
No reads. Unaccounted for boxes. Boxes sent to the wrong place. A logistics nightmare! But this nightmare doesn’t have to come true. SICK’s linear line scan camera is what dreams are made of for your logistics operations. And if you’re worried about motion and vibration from conveyor belts...well, there’s no reason...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • The five best applications for robotic lift trucks in warehouse environments

  • Fulfillment Facility Improved Efficiencies by 4x

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

  • Reusable Packaging for the New Wave of Supply Chain Automation

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing