GIFTS OF HOPE: VHB continues tradition of giving to Watertown Food Pantry - Wicked Local Watertown

GIFTS OF HOPE: VHB continues tradition of giving to Watertown Food Pantry - Wicked Local Watertown

Kerry Feltner kfeltner@wickedlocal.com @watertowntab

In 25 years, one local company has donated a total of $245,513.77 to the Watertown Food Pantry.

VHB, a local engineering firm, has been on of the Watertown Food Pantry’s longest donors, supporting the organization since 1992. Once a month anywhere from 5 to 10 volunteers help the food pantry pack bags that go out for delivery.

In 2017 alone, VHB employees has donated $11,227 to the food pantry, a total that includes a company match.

“Every year the Watertown Food Pantry is pretty much a guranteed charity that we’re going to support since we’ve been doing it for so long,” said Annique Fleurat, water resources specialist for VHB.

Engineering firm VHB employs around 300 people in Watertown at their 101 Walnut St. office and some 1,200 people company-wide.

“It's just something the company encourages and welcomes,” Fleurat said. “I think the people we hire are just the kind of people who want to be involved and who want to do stuff and seek it out on their own to begin with.”

Watertown helps its businesses, and businesses should help the community, Fleurat said. VHB has enjoyed being able to make an impact locally.

“You’re in the town of Watertown everyday and we’re here and part of the community and we want to make sure that we’re able to give back to the community that gives to us,” she said. “It feels good to give back.”