Standard Industries’ Annual Impact Day is always a big draw for its employees. Around a hundred gather at the Citymeals Distribution Center to spend the day sorting, packaging and sealing emergency and holiday meal boxes. Standard employees work to pack around 10,000 meals that will be delivered to their older neighbors in need across the five boroughs.

“It’s one of my favorite days of the year,” says Tracy MacKenzie, Vice President of Philanthropy, CSR and Events. “It’s really amazing to get our employees together outside of the office to do something for the benefit of the community.”

After going on meal deliveries, many employees talked about seeing New York in a different way — understanding the need in neighborhoods where they live and work.

Standard Industries has partnered with Citymeals for the past five years, sponsoring fundraising events like the annual Power Lunch and encouraging their employees to contribute to Citymeals’ mission directly. “After going on meal deliveries, many employees talked about seeing New York in a different way — understanding the need in neighborhoods where they live and work,” says Tracy.

It’s that personal connection that continues to drive their efforts. For many Standard Industries employees, like Tracy, Citymeals’ cause is one near and dear to their hearts. “I was very close with my grandmother who lived into her late 90s,” says Tracy. “She is someone I think of often when I think of the important work Citymeals does.”