Material handling equipment company helps local non-profits, food banks during COVID-19 crisis

Across the Midwest, MH Equipment, a material handling equipment dealer, is doing its part to help not only their employees but also their local communities, during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

One of the company’s values is investing in communities for a positive impact by coming alongside employees’ passions with support and financial assistance through the company’s His First Foundation charitable program.

As a steward of the community, MH Equipment recognized the food shortages community food banks and pantries faced and continue to face in light of the pandemic. In answer to this hardship, the company launched the “Purpose Unites” campaign, providing employees the opportunity to automatically deduct part of their paycheck to provide needed support to local food banks.

In just four days, MH Equipment employees across the company’s 33 locations raised nearly $187,000 with the Foundation’s help. All money raised is being distributed to local food banks and pantries in each of the MH Equipment locations.

The pandemic has also forced many companies to reduce employees’ hours and pay, if not furlough or lay off staff. With many customers pausing or decreasing their operations, some of MH Equipment’s services are experiencing less demand in certain locations. MH Equipment, however, has found a unique way to keep those departments employed while simultaneously giving back to the local community.

“One of the pillars of MH Equipment is ‘People Matter,'” says John Wieland, MH Equipment CEO. “Our employees have worked hard over the years to build a successful company, and it is only natural for the company to stand by our employees during this unique economy and not lay off any employee due to COVID-19.”

Throughout the month of April, MH Equipment saw more than 4,000 hours of paid, volunteer community service time across the Midwest states the company serves. This time was paid by MH Equipment’s His First Foundation charitable program.

These employees have helped out in a variety of ways, such as helping food banks with loading/unloading trucks, meal delivery, and packaging; making masks; mowing yards for the elderly and non-profit organizations; as well as using their technical skills to assist with light mechanical work on fire engines at volunteer fire departments.

“The current climate was a perfect way to bring these two beliefs together – keeping our employees fully employed, and serving our communities,” Wieland said.