Since 2015, Alfa Insurance and the Montgomery Area Council On Aging (MACOA) have been working together to serve our community’s homebound seniors with the Meals on Wheels program.
MACOA currently has 50 Corporate Route Partners, ranging from banks and financial associations, churches and civic organizations, to law firms and insurance agencies. Alfa is one of MACOA’s most valuable partners; the company’s service-minded employees prepare nutritious meals at its onsite cafeteria, and then make direct deliveries to homebound seniors from the office location. Chacolby Burns-Johnson, Director of Development at MACOA, and Jeff Helms, Director of Public Relations at Alfa,
weighed in on the significance of their collaboration.
What sets corporate partners apart from traditional volunteers?
Burns-Johnson: Our Corporate Route Partners are an extra special segment of our volunteers who provide helping hands and open hearts— the companies commit as a team to deliver meals on at least one route, once a week, bi-weekly, or once a month, which allows for a special bond to form with the senior client and friendly volunteers.
How has this partnership strengthened the mission and success of your respective organizations?
Helms: The MACOA partnership is just one of the ways Alfa cares for the communities it serves. The Meals on Wheels program has become an emblem for the entire Alfa Cares campaign because it personalizes both the employee and community sides of our efforts. Our participation strengthens morale and employee engagement. Leaving the office to help others is a reminder of the role our business plays in the community.
Burns-Johnson: The relationship with Alfa is one of a kind and has tremendously strengthened MACOA's mission and success over the last three years.
How important is it for other businesses to partner with organizations like MACOA?
Helms: It’s extremely important. We are all part of the same community. It is truly better to give than to receive. When businesses partner with groups like MACOA, everyone wins. The community is served, employees are engaged, wisdom is shared and relationships are built.
How can businesses become Corporate Route Sponsors?
Burns-Johnson: We invite all businesses, churches, firms and community organizations throughout the River Region to join our mission. The process is easy, rewarding, provides a great option for teambuilding with staff while completing a service project and offers recognition and exposure as a responsible and giving corporate steward making a real difference in our community. To learn how your business or organization can take advantage of this great workplace-friendly volunteer opportunity, visit
macoa.org or call (334) 263-0532.
Proud Partners. #SerquestMBJ
Alfa and MACOA recently collaborated with Serquest, a local organization that provides media and software assistance to non-profits, to produce a video highlighting their volunteer service. Check out #SerquestMBJ on Facebook to see the impact Alfa’s volunteers are making.
