The Real Projectives Food Program: A first person story of making a difference in the community

“One of things I love about Real Projectives® (RPL) is a program started in response to the turmoil and uncertainty in the early stages of COVID-19.

As a way of giving back, RPL empowered every employee to utilize their RPL corporate credit card to purchase up to $200.00 each month in food for people in the community needing help. I utilized this program in several ways including purchasing food directly for a local family in need and for feeding hospital workers at times when no food service was available.

Last winter, during the first cold snap of 2021, I was driving by a public lot near my home where for years I had noted an old, small camper trailer sitting alone. I had driven by this camper enough times to know that somebody lived in it. With my company’s policy of goodwill in mind I knocked on the door and spoke with the gentleman living inside. His name is Mike. He is down on his luck and has been unemployed for some time. Mike told me then that he had enough food for a while but really needed propane. Having no electricity, he uses a propane stove for heat and the nighttime temperatures were starting to get cold. That said, I gathered up his empty propane bottles and took them for refilling.

It never occurred to me that I might get chastised for spending food money on propane and, as I expected, nobody showed concern when I turned in the receipt. The fact that I work at RPL with people that have heart and truly care for the people of our communities means a great deal to me. I have gotten propane a couple more times for Mike and he is greatly appreciative each time. Mike is easy to talk to and tells me that what he would really like now is to get back to work. If I understand correctly his background involved work in facility maintenance.

Mike walks with a cane but gets around pretty well. If you know a company in the Catonsville/Woodlawn area that would like to talk with Mike, and perhaps give him a shot, feel free to reach out to me. I’ll be glad to put you in touch. For more information contact us at info@RealProjectives.com