Community Outreach
Capital Kids
Rainier Fruit helped underwrite the Capital Kids theatre program to pay for the tickets of children that may otherwise be unable to attend and fund bus transportation from the schools. Additionally, part of the underwriting helps to support Gus, the theatre mascot, tour of classrooms teaching the children about theatre and theatre etiquette. The Capital Theatre program was developed to bring theatre and arts to children in schools whose arts programs have been severely cut due to budget constraints.
Rainier Fruit employees greeted the children after the performance w/ 3 count Fuji apple bags. Nearly 3,000 bags were handed out after the two performances on November 5th. Two more dates are scheduled for early 2008.
Operation Harvest
October 13, 2007 employees of Rainier Fruit Company contributed 13% of the total pounds collected by the area wide Operation Harvest Food drive. Operation Harvest helps supply food to the 7 area food banks in the Yakima Valley supplying food to those in need during the worst part of the year, winter. Rainier employees from all areas of the facility and their families helped to unload the nearly 17,000 pounds of food donated to Salvation Army by the company. When Rainier Fruit rolled in with two trucks full of food and over 20 people to help unload the donation, it charged up everyone there assisting with donations.
Wellness Day
September 12, 2007 marked the first annual "Wellness Day" for Rainier Fruit employees. Wellness Day was designed to inform employees about various ways to improve mind - body health. After a quick blood pressure check, employees were given information about ways to control cholesterol levels, diabetes and blood pressure through diet and exercise. Information relating to stress management, facility security and traffic safety, and cafeteria & vending machine food improvements was available. Employees were informed of a walking track scheduled to be built this winter and opened next spring, providing them a safe area to exercise during breaks. Overall employee response to the day was overwhelmingly positive.
The following vendors hosted tables of information throughout the day:
- Group Health
- Comprehensive Mental Health
- YMCA
- Sobeys
- Warehouse Cafeteria
- WIC
- Rheannon Gray, Dietician
- Apple Valley Wellness Center
- Dave Hilton, Rainier Security Dept.
- Work Care