Kripke’s Annual Partnership Works to ‘Shred Hunger’ for Kids in Need

Several years ago, Toledo, Ohio-based metal brokers and recyclers Kripke Enterprises Inc.opens in a new tab(KEI) committed to supporting the National Food Bank with annual donations. While impactful, Kripke's Wellness Committee aspired to do something that would create a direct and lasting benefit within the Toledo community.

According to Leslie Mundt, Kripke's Executive Assistant, that opportunity arose in 2021 when Emily Fischer, Kripke's Vice President of Talent and Engagement, received a wedding invitation from a friend who requested donations to Connecting Kids to Meals (CKTM) in lieu of traditional gifts.

Inspired, Fischer reached out to CKTM President and CEO, Wendi Huntley, Esq., and immediately formed a strong connection. Soon after, Fischer and several Kripke executives visited the CKTM site in Toledo and were deeply moved by the scale and significance of its mission.

Since then, Kripke has dedicated every September-Hunger Action Month-to raising funds for CKTM. Through this partnership, the company has contributed approximately $100,000 in donations and fundraising since 2021, strengthening its commitment to fighting food insecurity and making a tangible difference for children and families in the Toledo community.

"We could not have raised these funds over the years without the help of our friends, scrap yards, freight brokers, customers, and employees, etc. contributing to the cause," Fischer said.

CKTM provides healthy meals at no cost to at-risk kids in Northwest Ohio. They partner with schools, libraries, emergency shelters, and community centers as well as city parks and pools to ensure access to meals for kids in need. In 2024 alone, Connecting Kids to Meals provided nearly 500,000 hot, nutritious meals to children. They have been doing this work in the community for 20 years and are the largest provider of kids' meals during out-of-school time in NW Ohio.

During the first year of the partnership, KEI raised $25,000 for CKTM through its Metals for Meals program, which gave KEI customers the opportunity to donate their metal or any portion of their transactions to CKTM. The second and third year of the partnership KEI raised $29,000 and $30,000 respectively. In 2024, the company raised $31,000 through a program called Shred Hunger.

"We have a gofundmeopens in a new tab where every dollar donated goes directly toward connecting local kids to healthy, ready-to-eat meals," said Alyssa Ansara, Trader at KEI. "Our retail team also sells t-shirts that say 'shred hunger' on the back. We're asking retail customers if they want to donate meals. One dollar equals two meals so it's not a hard commitment to make a big difference in these kids' daily lives. This year, our goal was $25,000 and so far, we've raised $27,165."

In addition to the donations, several KEI team members have had the opportunity to pack meals and lunches at CKTM.

"As a company, we've been hands-on with this nonprofit and a lot of our colleagues continue to volunteer there on weekends. Recently, a group went to CKTM's location in downtown Toledo to pack bags and write cards for the kids. It's been great to see," Ansara said. "We enjoy working with Connecting Kids to Meals and everyone at Kripke can see the impact and difference that we're making."

When a recycled materials company joins a new area or location, it's important to make a positive impact on the community.

"Any way you can get involved and reach out to your community is important," Mundt said. "Recycling still has a stigma attached to it, so the more you can get involved with your community, the better. Relationships are the backbone of our business and it's one of our core values. We have a good relationship with our community and we're going to continue to serve the community as we do with our customers, suppliers, and consumers."

Images Courtesy of Kripke.