Partner Spotlight: SCHEELS Helping Hands – Building Emergency Bags with Team Building in Mind

Over 100 emergency bags leave ICA K-Tel’s doors each month. By partnering with SCHEELS Helping Hands, we’re able to provide critical need to community members who need it most.

Volunteers make ICA run as smoothly as it does. With outside groups wanting to participate in giving back to their community, even more people have access to necessities. The SCHEELS Helping Hands program encourages employees to get involved within their community and volunteer their time at an organization of the group’s choosing. They often have one group volunteer opportunity per month, but associates are welcome to volunteer outside of that scheduled time. This was the group’s first time volunteering at ICA and we are so grateful for their time!

Lauren Andrist, Marketing Lead at Eden Prairie SCHEELS and the leader of the Helping Hands program at the Eden Prairie location, has been with the company for seven years. With her marketing team, they plan events, manage the location’s social media, and connect with local community partners like ICA. “My favorite part of my job is being able to make connections with local non-profits and find ways that we can work together to support our community”, Andrist says.

With her help, this group of 12 associates in the Helping Hands program came to ICA to pack 160 emergency bags. Helping Hands was speedy, packing all bags under one hour with the power of teamwork and kindness! Their hard work and dedication to ICA’s mission is valued by all volunteers and staff.

Clients can receive an emergency bag at our K-Tel food service location during open hours without an appointment - no questions asked. Interested in volunteering? Contact Matthew Dymoke, Director of Development and Communications at matthew@icafoodshelf.org for more details.