Thanksgiving 2021 from the Guardian kitchen

Posted in Blog

Glenn Laga

Guardian Data Destruction is a lot like many companies. Our employees work hard and we look for new ways to improve our services and impress our customers. What is different is our daily company lunches in the Guardian kitchen where we exchange all kinds of stories and ideas. 

This past year, with so much uncertainty surrounding us, the Guardian team pulled out the stops. A lot of suggestions, planning and stepping up came about during those lunchtime conversations. As our employees were among the first to go safely into the field as an essential business, they also thought about others. Many pitched in with food drives, community donations, fundraising and in-person events for first responders. And, I saw them as they reached out to help each other. Truly a #GuardianFamily.

We know it’s still challenging for many. This Thanksgiving, I’m spotlighting a top-notch local non-profit that Guardian Data Destruction has supported this year. It may be a coincidence that Toni’s Kitchen, like Guardian’s kitchen, also specializes in delicious lunches and building community but the real accomplishment is their flexible, scalable, local outreach.

During COVID, Toni’s Kitchen ramped up operations to safely meet the immediate needs of a greater regional area and an expanded target population. Transforming from a weekday-lunch soup kitchen and school “backpack” food program, this small operation responded quickly to the pandemic. As a result of their innovative management and volunteers, Toni’s Kitchen quickly grew 4x to serve a whopping 20,000+ meals a week to seniors, shut-ins, destitute individuals, public school students and families in need. There are hot lunches, bagged lunches, pantry staples and fresh food options to ensure that the hungry “guests” are both fed and feel respected. The incapacitated are safely delivered food to their door.

Toni’s Kitchen does not see itself as a charity but as a service. They know their customer, they can pinpoint the ever-morphing problem and develop innovative ways to deliver products and services that are valued. Their team of community volunteers works hard and sees their customers as clients who deserve the best. 

From the kitchen to the core values, it’s not hard for me to see the parallels between that organization and our own. 

We all know an organization that is stepping up to meet a need in our local communities. Guardian is proud and honored to support Toni’s Kitchen; what they do is courageous, practical and rewarding. They make us feel good. And that’s a pretty wonderful way to celebrate Thanksgiving. 

We wish you, your coworkers, your family and friends a happy, healthy holiday season. And, if you’re close by our office, stop in for lunch!

Glenn Laga, President

Read more about Toni’s Kitchen