Spicing Up
Corporate Philanthropy Roers and Keller Williams have the recipe for success BY Kristi Huber, United Way of Cass-Clay President & CEO Photos by 5Foot20 Design Lounge
“TO WIN IN THE MARKETPLACE YOU MUST FIRST WIN IN THE WORKPLACE.” - Doug Conant, former CEO of Campbell Soup
Employees that are engaged, satisfied and happy with the company, are more motivated, which helps serve customers with more enthusiasm. According to Gallup, companies that have happier employees show 147 percent higher earnings per
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share than their competitors. And the source of satisfaction for many employees is often the opportunity to serve their community, give back and see how their time and talents make a difference for people in need. The History Behind the Chili What started as an idea for a company potluck has now grown into something much larger that has impacted thousands of people.
Ten years ago, two team members planned a small chili feed to benefit an organization helping homelessness in our community that a Keller Williams agent was very involved in. Two crockpots of chili in the breakroom, a bowl full of crackers and three bags of cheese later, the concept of the Roers Keller Williams Chili Feed was officially born. The Chili Feed has grown into a community-wide event coordinated by a volunteer-
led committee that has raised $215,000 for United Way of Cass-Clay over the past decade. The event allows community members and businesses that may not otherwise be involved with United Way, an opportunity to get their employees engaged by being a sponsor, cooking up a chili or donating prizes. The goal for the 10th annual event is to raise $50,000, which will be strategically invested in United Way’s Bold Community Goals to reduce hunger and homelessness,