EAST TO WEST RV, a subsidiary of Forest River, collected more than 2,200 pounds of nonperishable food during its third annual Christmas Food Drive, donating the items to the Salvation Army Kroc Center of South Bend, Indiana.
The effort resulted in a total of 2,214 pounds of food, which will be distributed through the Kroc Center’s food pantry to support families facing food insecurity during the winter months.
The annual food drive has become a recurring part of EAST TO WEST RV’s holiday initiatives, with employee participation increasing each year as the program has become more established within the organization.
The donated food will help address higher seasonal demand, particularly as households contend with increased utility costs and rising food expenses during the winter.
“At EAST TO WEST, our mission has always been about more than just building quality RVs; it’s about building and supporting our community,” Cody Vance, operations manager at EAST TO WEST RV, said in a News and Insights report of RVIA on January 8.
“Reaching the 2,200-pound mark for our third year is a testament to the generosity of our team,” Vance said. “We are honored to partner with the Kroc Center to ensure our neighbors have access to nutritious meals this holiday season and beyond.”
To encourage participation, EAST TO WEST RV organized a companywide raffle open to employees who contributed to the food drive, reinforcing the initiative as an internal, employee-driven effort.
Eight employees were selected as raffle winners, which the company described as a gesture of appreciation for their involvement and support of the program.
The Salvation Army Kroc Center of South Bend provides a range of services to hundreds of households each month, including emergency food assistance, youth programs, and family support services.
The food drive aligns with Forest River’s broader focus on corporate social responsibility across its portfolio of brands, emphasizing community engagement and locally focused initiatives.
Forest River, and its subsidiaries regularly support charitable efforts through employee-led programs and partnerships with local organizations in the communities where they operate.