In early November 2024, a group of ZEDEDA employees from various departments (Finance, G&A, Engineering, Human Resources, and Marketing) headed to Martha’s Kitchen in San Jose and traded their laptops for aprons and gloves, eager to lend a helping hand. Inspired by a desire to give back to the community and address the pressing issue of homelessness in San Jose, the team dedicated their afternoon to preparing and packaging meals for those in need.
A Day of Service and Camaraderie
The team, spearheaded by Recruiting Coordinator Christy Lin with support from Senior Executive Assistant Christine Sheets, participated in a variety of tasks, in support of Martha’s Kitchen’s meal program, including:
- Prepping Food: Peeling and chopping carrots and zucchini
- Making Lunches: Preparing a large quantity of sandwiches
- Packing Grocery Bags: Filling bags with fresh fruits and vegetables
These tasks directly supported Martha’s Kitchen’s efforts to distribute meals and groceries to individuals and families facing food insecurity throughout the city.
The experience proved to be both rewarding and impactful. Not only did the team contribute to Martha’s Kitchen’s mission of providing 230,000 meals each month, but they also fostered a stronger sense of community within their own team.
“It was great to be out of the office to see everyone together,” Lin shared. “We were just standing around the table chopping vegetables, getting to know each other more and actually gaining a better understanding of everyone’s daily lives.”
Giving Back and Looking Ahead
ZEDEDA’s dedication to giving back is evident in its ongoing efforts to organize quarterly volunteer events across its offices. In addition to the Martha’s Kitchen initiative, ZEDEDA has recently organized volunteer events in Berlin and Bangalore, which further demonstrates the company’s commitment to giving back to the community.
The Martha’s Kitchen volunteer initiative aligns perfectly with ZEDEDA’s commitment to social responsibility, community engagement, and making a positive impact.
The experience at Martha’s Kitchen left a lasting impression on the ZEDEDA team, with many expressing a desire to return.Â
Inspired by the success of the Martha’s Kitchen event, ZEDEDA’s San Jose office plans to continue their community involvement with future activities, potentially including another visit to Martha’s Kitchen during the holidays. They are also considering partnering with other organizations like Backpacks for Foster Care and Build a Bike.
A Testimonial to the Power of Volunteering
The team’s experience at Martha’s Kitchen serves as a heartwarming reminder of the positive impact that companies can have when they dedicate themselves to serving their community. By working together, ZEDEDA’s San Jose team not only provided much-needed support to a local organization but also strengthened their own bonds and created a shared sense of purpose.
Read more inspiring stories of ZEDEDA’s community impact on our blog.
