Archive: Opinions

EditorialAs we approach Thanksgiving I have been thinking about things to be thankful for.  One thing that really stands out this year is how two of the biggest businesses in Lansing are supporting the community.  Cargill Deicing Technology just gave $100,000 to county food pantries.  They originally intended it for the Lansing Food Pantry, but the pantry's director asked them to give it to a consortium including 15 other pantries that are also in need.  They have also contributed $25,000 to other Lansing causes this year.

The Lansing Tops is raising money to rebuild the playground in Myers Park.  Their 'Bucks For Bricks' program asks customers to donate a dollar as they check out at the cash registers.  They have already reached their goal of $2,000, so they will be donating more than was originally thought.

Both of these companies are part of larger corporations, and often when that is the case the corporation makes donations to national causes, but not necessarily to local ones.  It is not the norm that local branches are given the autonomy to donate company funds to causes in their own neighborhoods.

The other piece of that is that the local outlets have to have people who want to give to their communities.  Employees at Tops and Cargill do, and they find ways to participate in community events, to be part of a community, not just making money there.  For example, both companies were involved in different ways with the Lansing Harbor Festival.  Cargill has been a sponsor all three years, and Tops raised money at their booth that they donated back to the festival.

None of this diminishes the value of the many local companies and individuals who contribute to the Lansing community every day.  But in a climate where corporate America has a bad rap for poor economic performance and executive bonuses it is encouraging that some companies, at least, want to give back to the communities that nurture them.

I suppose it makes good business sense.  The stronger the community, the more business you can do in it.  I have talked to people from both companies, and while that is part of the equation, they all know that their employees live and thrive in Lansing, and they want Lansing to thrive as well.  That their headquarters have given them the flexibility to do this is something we can all be thankful for.

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