At Great Harvest, we believe in giving back to the
communities in which we live. Below are a few stories of
owners and the amazing ways they add to their local
neighborhoods.
Buy a Loaf, Save a Life
Great Harvest helps "Light the Night"
Community strives to meet "Mariah's Challenge"
Community effort launched
with a personal connection
Seeing someone struggle for life when diabetes strikes is a startling way to
face the harsh realities of the disease. Mike Young, owner of the Jackson, MS Great Harvest, vividly recalls a day in
the bakery five years ago when one of his employees, Rose
(pictured below), began to feel bad and was acting strange. No one was sure what
was going on. But the next two customers in the door happened to be from the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi and
recognized her symptoms as a diabetic stroke. Mike closed the bakery and rushed Rose to the hospital.
“Having these folks walk in at that exact moment probably saved Rose’s life.” Mike said. “And, that is something you
just don’t forget. I wanted to do something to help with the great work these wonderful people do. So we launched ‘Buy
a Loaf, Save a Life’, an event with 100% of the sales for an entire day going to the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi.”
Mary Fortune, Executive Director of the foundation said, “When Mike approached me about doing a bread day for the Diabetes
Foundation of Mississippi, not only was I thrilled, but knew with his expertise and our combined passion, it was going to be a winner. “
‘Buy a Loaf, Save a Life’ became our mantra for the cause of fighting diabetes in a state that leads the nation in the prevalence
of the disease.”
The 2005 event was a success raising $2,750. “Buy a Loaf, Save a Life” is now an annual event and over the past five years the
collaboration has raised over $16,000. These funds stay in Mississippi and help to support a variety of programs including helping
kids attend “Camp Cando” where they learn they can truly have a normal life while still controlling the disease. “Some kids can’t
afford to go and part of the money we raise goes to help these kids attend.” Mike added. “Other programs include education in schools
for the children, staff and teachers. When Katrina struck, the foundation was there with diabetic supplies for those who had no other
way to get their medications.”
For Mike and his staff, the effort to support diabetes education is ongoing. They participate in the Mississippi Diabetes Super Conference
where the newest treatments are discussed and provide baked goods for the non-profit day in the Mississippi legislature. “So many people
in all age ranges are affected by this disease. We want to do whatever we can to help.”
Mary added, “Mike is a man with a big heart and a helping hand! His kindness and generosity have helped our patients in countless ways. His
focus on helping a local charity, where tangible results are evident is a wonderful blessing to those we serve.”
“Cancer touches all our lives,” said Julia Borchardt, owner of Great Harvest Bread Company in Des Moines, IA. “That’s why I want to support cancer research
and families who are coping with this illness in any way that I can.”
Julia and her husband, Brian, hosted a “Raising Dough” day in their bakery, donating $3500 (100% of the day’s sales) to the John Stoddard Cancer Center’s
Blood Cancer Survivors’ Group. The donation supported the groups fundraising efforts in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Light The Night” fundraising
walk which provides money for cancer research and to support cancer patients, their caregivers and cancer survivors.
Julia added, “Part of our mission statement is to ‘Give Generously to Others’ but, in this case, we had a personal connection with the group.” Mauri Booton,
who opened the bakery in 1999 with his wife Mary Hellerstedt, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2005. Because of the illness, they sold the bakery
in May 2006 to Julia and Brian.
Mauri, Mary and fellow members of the John Stoddard Blood Cancer Survivors’ Group all worked as volunteers alongside the Borchardts and their staff to help
keep bread going out the door.
Julia said, “We enjoy such a personal connection with our customers and it’s so heartwarming to see how they came out in support of this important cause.
There were also people who have never been to the bakery that saw the story on the news and responded within minutes of the broadcast. How wonderful is that?”
Mauri knows that cancer research has made all the difference in his life. He said he was overwhelmed that Julia would donate 100% of the sales to the cause,
summing up Julia’s generosity in one sentence: “90% of her body weight is heart.”
Fourteen year old Mariah Daye McCarthy of Butte, MT was tragically killed on October 28, 2007,
by an underage driver who had been drinking. At the funeral services, Mariah's father, Leo McCarthy,
issued a challenge to the community and especially to Butte's young people.
“Let's prevent drinking and destructive decisions from taking any more of Butte's most valuable asset —
its youth.” In Mariah's honor, the McCarthy family initiated a scholarship fund for students who remain MIP
(Minor in Possession) free throughout their high school years.
Butte’s Great Harvest Bread Company has taken the challenge to heart along with thousands in the community.
Owners Bert & Paula Plattner are doing their part to support these efforts and spread the word because they
feel it’s something that touches everyone.
Bert commented, “On a personal level we both remember losing someone who was killed in high school and it is
something you don’t forget. Being a father myself and knowing Mariah’s father, Leo, I want to do what I can
to prevent this from happening again.”
Paula said, “Drinking among teenagers has always been a ‘rite of passage’ here. Mariah’s Challenge works to
change the status quo, encouraging teens to understand you don’t have to drink and drive to be cool…it’s really
the opposite. You can be part of the crowd without risking your life or the lives of others.”
The bakery has hosted a “Baker of the Day” event with proceeds from product sales going towards the scholarship
fund as well as donating products to a variety of community events that support the efforts of the group.
In addition, they display Mariah’s “wings,” the symbol associated with the hope of the organization, as constant reinforcement of their message.
“Mariah’s Challenge” has now spread throughout Montana and is making its way to high schools in other states.
“This is a great cause,” Bert added. “Everyone has been touched by something related to drinking and driving.
Taking something so tragic and turning it around to make a positive impact, well…that’s the kind of thing you have to get behind.”
For more information on “Mariah’s Challenge” go to
http://www.mariahschallenge.com.
Raising over $5,000 in one day for Multiple Sclerosis
was a huge success for the Lincoln, Nebraska, Great
Harvest Bread Company. But for owners Kevin and Julie
Horne, the commitment to the event was more than just
raising money for a good cause. They also have a very
personal tie to the organization.
Kevin was diagnosed with the disease four years ago, and
said “Like so many others, my family and I are affected
every day by MS and we wanted to do something to help.”
With the support of the Nebraska Chapter of the National
MS Society, volunteers from National Research
Corporation (Kevin’s previous employer) and family
members of bakery employees, Great Harvest opened on a
Sunday, a day they’re normally closed, and donated 100%
of their sales to the cause. Lincoln Poultry donated
some ingredients to the event and the bakery kicked in
the rest.
Lisa Brink, the President of the Nebraska chapter of the
National MS Society, said, “Donating 100% of proceeds is
unheard of. This is a great example of non-profits and
for-profits collaborating to further our mission. The
Society serves more than 700 clients and their families
in the Lincoln area, and this fundraiser is a great
model for showing support in the community.”
The bakery and volunteers raised $5,180 dollars, with
the entire amount going directly to fund research and
support programs for people affected by MS.
“It exceeded our expectations.” Julie said. “We went
through 700 loaves of bread and with all the support and
energy of the volunteers, it was an incredibly fun day!
What was most surprising was the number of people who
came in and shared their own personal stories about how
MS has affected them, their families or someone they
know. It was great to have that personal connection.”
This day of giving back was truly a labor of love for
everyone involved.
