Woodard Cleaning & Restoration Donated Canned Food to Operation Food Search

Operation Food Search picks up over 7,600 from Woodard Cleaning & Restoration.

ST. LOUIS, Mo., Feb. 2, 2021  Woodard Cleaning & Restoration donated over 7,600 cans to Operation Food Search on January 28, 2021. Operation Food Search is a St. Louis-based non-profit organization dedicated to ending hunger in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area. Mike Clavin, Water Restoration Crew Chief at Woodard Cleaning & Restoration, organized the event. Woodard's Community Service Team, Kim Fisher, Rich Metz, and Craig Hebrank assisted in the event.

The inspiration and purpose for the canned food drive came from Clavin's childhood. "Growing up poor we used shelters a lot for food. Making a meal out of a can of peas was the norm for us" said Clavin. "The COVID-19 pandemic is very eye-opening. People are without work, which means limited income for food."

“This is really amazing, and the need is extraordinary…thank you so very much!”

After announcing the canned food drive to the company, cans started to stack up. "I wanted to do something to try to help others not deal with the stress of feeding their family even if it is just for one night" continued Mike Clavin.

The employees at Woodard live by the company's core values of do what's right, serve others, and learn ever day. The entire Woodard staff exhibited these qualities as they came together to help those in need. "Working for Woodard is a blessing. We are lucky to be able to give! Look what we can do together!" shared Clavin.

On January 28, 2021, Operation Food Search arrived at Woodard Cleaning & Restoration's headquarters located off Watson Road in Crestwood to pick up the donation. "This is really amazing, and the need is extraordinary…thank you so very much," said Judy Coyman, Director of Community Relations of Operation Food Search.

Woodard Cleaning & Restoration plans to host another canned food drive at the end of 2021 with hopes to get the community involved. The company's goal will be to bring in over 10,000 cans and help those in need in the St. Louis community.