Got a minute? How many times has someone asked you that? Of course, they never really take just a minute, because a minute is really so little time to get anything done. Except, in a minute, three people in this country will be diagnosed with diabetes. Those minutes add up; today, 24 million Americans have diabetes. While that’s a huge number, consider this – the CDC estimates that one-fourth to one-third of those people don’t even know they have the disease. The statistics go on and on:  some minority populations (American Indians, African Americans, and Hispanics) are twice as likely as Caucasians to develop diabetes.  One-third of U.S. children born in 2000 could develop this disease during their lifetime.  And an estimated 57 million Americans have a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes with a condition known as pre-diabetes, or blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but lower than the diabetes range.

You might wonder how someone could have such a prevalent disease and not know it.  But as the second leading cause of death in the U.S., and a major cause of kidney failure, heart disease, and stroke, it certainly affects the health and wellness of Americans in a significant way.  The American Diabetes Association has used November, designated as American Diabetes Month®, to raise awareness of this disease for a number of years.  This year, given the grim statistics, they are taking bolder action with their Stop Diabetes movement. 

There is some good news in all of this.  And American Diabetes Month® is a good time to share it.  People at risk for diabetes or those who already have pre-diabetes can take steps now to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes from ever developing.  These steps include medical, nutritional, and lifestyle changes to combat the disease.  At Sodexo, we feel a responsibility to help by providing healthful meals and educating about diabetes, given the millions of meals we serve daily. 

So, what can you do?  Know the signs and symptoms of diabetes.  Ask your doctor about risk factors for the disease.  Find out what you can do to minimize your risk for the disease, or minimize the effects on your health if you already have diabetes.  And encourage your family, friends and co-workers to do the same – you could just help them find out something they don’t already know.

Kellie Kinsella

Until going to college, I had never truly understood the value of education.  Going to school was something that I knew had to do every day because that’s what you’re supposed to do when you’re a kid.  Right?  Throughout elementary school, junior high, and high school, I always took for granted the information that was taught or the experiences that were provided to me on a regular basis.   Going to college made me realize that receiving a quality education is not something that is a right, but rather a privilege. The opportunities that I am given at the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign astound me with each day that I continue to be a student. 

The experiences that I have received for the past two years learning about interesting topics in the classroom, forcing myself to collaborate on group projects with people I barely know, and becoming active in my sorority, have been ones that could not be obtained anywhere else. 

Even something so trivial as living in a dorm room with people your own age has taught me how to take care of myself without my mom or dad telling me to finish my homework or how to separate my whites from my darks.  With each day that I am here, I feel more and more prepared for what’s to come in the real world.

However, getting the opportunity to study at a campus as phenomenal as this one would not be possible without the monetary support that I have received from Sodexo.  Financing my higher education in this economy has been quite a challenge.  I cannot express my gratitude to Sodexo enough for helping me to take full advantage of my educational privilege.  Not only are they helping to pay the bills, but the encouragement from an organization that shares the same values about fighting hunger in the world as I do, helps me to know that my goals and dreams are realistic. 

The more education that I can receive, the more equipped I will be to continue the hunger fight and start solving problems. Thank you to Sodexo for making my higher educational experience possible.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Kellie wrote this blog as part American Education Week, which emphasizes the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education. Kellie is attending the University of Illinois thanks in part to a STOP Hunger Scholarship from the Sodexo Foundation. She was selected because of the outstanding work she already has done to stop hunger. Read more about Kellie’s efforts to stop hunger.

Imagine a country in such dire straits that half of its children wouldn’t get meals without government help. You may immediately have thought of some Third World country, but the startling fact is that almost half of the children in this country will be on food stamps at some point in their childhood. The number is even more shocking when you focus on African American children: 90 percent of them will be on food stamps at one point. Last week, a study was released that looked at 30 years of national data and warned that these numbers could get pushed even higher if the recession continues.

The study also cautioned pediatricians that they need to be on the lookout for illnesses related to malnutrition. That warning extends even to pediatricians in so-called “nice” neighborhoods, because the economic downturn has broadened the types of people who have had to turn to food stamps to feed their families. We know from a study funded by our foundation that children who eat breakfast perform in school better and have fewer hunger-related problems such as dizziness, lethargy, stomachaches and earaches. It’s not a stretch to say that pediatricians might start seeing an increase in these symptoms in a broader spectrum of their patients as economic woes spread.

In this type of economic climate, food banks play a crucial role in filling the gaps. This is why Sodexo founded and continues to sponsor our Helping Hands Across America program, a  month-long effort that encourages our employees and customers to collect non-perishable food items to fight hunger in their own communities. The effort culminates today – November 12 – when we all try to set a new world record for the “largest food drive by a non-charitable organization in a 24-hour period.” The Guinness Book of World Records will determine whether we set the record, but the current record to beat is 510,000 pounds of food collected.

The challenge to beat the record is a fun one, but the intent behind it is much more serious – to bring attention to the problem of hunger in this country, and to engage as many people as possible in trying to stop it

You can follow our progress or get involved by becoming a fan on Facebook or following @STOPhungerNov12 on twitter.

And, of course, you can help by bringing nonperishable food to your community food bank!

Carol Marquart, HR Manager, Berry Plastics/Goshen, Indiana

As I sit in my office at Berry Plastics located in Goshen, Indiana, I see people come up and read the sign on our door: “Currently not accepting applications”.  These people walk away with their heads facing the ground. Our county has a 19% unemployment rate.  You can’t help but ask yourself, “What can we do to make a difference?”  Every one of our employees either has a spouse, friend, neighbor or family member that has lost their jobs in this ailing economy. One day in early June an employee, Dave Riggs, came to me and said “I have an idea.   Let’s plant sweet corn in our seven acres of empty land and donate it to the food banks to help them feed the unemployed.”

I was amazed.  Dave and I presented the idea to our Gung Ho Team. I immediately contacted Tom Kercher, owner of Sunrise Orchards.

Tom said, “That will be a lot of sweet corn, but why not, let’s do it.” 

Kercher’s Sunrise Orchard, T & T Fertilizer and Berry Plastics united to feed the hungry. 

On June 22nd the seeds were planted.

Employees watched as the corn began to grow.  Instead of complaining that it was raining, we rejoiced as the corn field was being nourished with the blessings of the rainfalls.

Earlier this fall, Dave’s idea became reality.  The harvest began at 8:00AM and the first food bank was here at 9:00.  There were more than 15 food banks and charities that arrived in cars, pickup trucks, box trucks and semis. 

More than 108,000 ears of corn ended up on the plates of the hungry.

Berry Plastics supplies cater ware, cutlery and trash bags to Sodexo.  It is companies like Sodexo and Berry Plastics that help inspire others to make a difference.

Since the Marine Corps Marathon began in 1976, the race has been a symbol of endurance and hope. The course takes runners on a historic tour of our nation’s capitol, passing landmarks that speak to the bravery and sacrifice made by our armed forces in their continuing commitment to ensure America’s freedom.  One of the most inspirational of these monuments marks the race’s end: the Iwo Jima Memorial.

This famous statue, which honors Marine Corps members killed in battle, depicts an incident during World War II.  Five intrepid Marines and a Navy corpsman heroically raised an American flag on the small island of Iwo Jima, near Tokyo. The statue shows the men leaning into the task together, working as a team.

This kind of support and cooperation is everywhere you look at the Marine Corps Marathon, nicknamed “The People’s Marathon.” This year’s three-day event, October 23-25, is expected to draw about 30,000 runners in three races, the 26.2 mile marathon, a new 10K race, and the MCM Healthy Kids Fun Run.

During the race, as athletes push themselves past exhaustion, supporters gather along the routes to cheer them on.  Along with the many Marines who are present, these spectators inspire and support runners.  They encourage them to find and tap reserves of energy to reach the finish line.

For the second year in a row, Sodexo proudly serves as the official food service provider for the MCM, feeding more than 700 VIP's, and providing 30,000 bags filled with healthy snacks for the runners. In addition, Sodexo’s registered dietitian, Tina Reddington, talks about sensible nutrition and running at the MCM Health and Fitness Expo on Friday, October 23.  And finally, Sodexo also proudly sponsors the affiliated MCM Healthy Kids Fun Run, scheduled for Saturday, October 24.

News stories often show triumphant runners who have successfully completed their races. But for additional inspiration, I recommend coming to cheer on the littlest athletes at Saturday’s Healthy Kids Fun Run.  The race has grown to attract about 3,000 kids, ages 6-13.  They run in the one-mile event just for fun.  At the finish line, they get a t-shirt, a medal and snacks provided by Sodexo.

Last year, I remember one little girl in particular. She had physical challenges, but she was determined to finish the race. By the end, she had a whole crowd of Marines running alongside her cheering her on. At the finish line, her father hugged her, and then scooped her up onto his shoulders. I will never forget the look of triumph on that little girl’s face.

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