Aramark employees have a longstanding tradition of volunteering their time and skills to support local communities and nonprofit partners year-round. The holiday season is no exception, as employees come together to spread cheer and provide much-needed resources to families in need.
This year, Aramark is helping to make the holidays brighter for people in over 50 communities across the United States, Canada, Ireland, and Germany. From providing meals and toys to donating warm clothing and comfort items, Aramark employees are focused on bringing joy and relief to those who need it most.
“Giving back is at the core of who we are,” said Kirsten Markovich, Director of Community Relations at Aramark. “Thousands of our employee volunteers dedicate their time throughout the year, and especially during this season of giving, to build vibrant, sustainable communities for all.”
Here are three examples of how Aramark employees are making an impact this holiday season:
Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, Aramark volunteers are spreading holiday joy by providing toys and comfort items to the Providence Center, a long-term partner that supports families in the Fairhill neighborhood.
Additionally, Aramark teams are creating more than 100 winter gift stockings and donating over 100 pounds of food to families at the Ronald McDonald House (RMDH) of Philadelphia. For the past five years, the Aramark Destinations team has donated nearly 1,000 pounds of food annually to RMDH, further strengthening this ongoing partnership.
“Our holiday projects are unique because they allow employees to share their passion for service not only with their communities but also with their families and friends,” said Abigail Charpentier, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Aramark. “This year, I joined my colleagues to create stockings for families at RMDH and participated in Wreaths Across America with my family, laying wreaths at Valley Forge.”
Lewisville, TX
In Lewisville, Texas, where Aramark provides food and nutrition services to local schools, volunteers are supporting children over the holiday break. Employees are packing healthy meal kits and donating toys and comfort items to benefit students through three nonprofits: Christian Community Action, Helping Hands for Little Hearts, and Lovepacs.
These efforts are part of a broader initiative to combat food insecurity in the Lewisville and North Dallas areas through the North Texas Hunger Council. Founded in 2019, the council brings together over a dozen community organizations to coordinate food access for children when school is not in session.
“In establishing the North Texas Hunger Council, we aimed to fill gaps where children lacked access to meals,” said Alishia Jordan, Vice President of Operations for Aramark Student Nutrition. “By creating interactive maps with meal locations and schedules, we made it easier for families to find resources.”
Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, more than 75 Aramark volunteers organized a holiday gift drive to bring joy to 100 children through Southeast Community Services. Families received wellness baskets, enjoyed festive treats, and took family photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus during a special distribution event.
“For over a decade, Aramark’s volunteers have been invaluable to our mission,” said Peggy Frame, Executive Director of Southeast Community Services. “Their contributions to our food pantry, hands-on involvement in service projects, and holiday sponsorships have touched countless lives, strengthened our community, and inspired us all.”
Spreading Joy Globally
Through their dedication and compassion, Aramark employees continue to make a meaningful difference in communities worldwide. By working together to provide food, gifts, and comfort, they embody the spirit of giving and help make the holiday season brighter for thousands of families.
