On Tuesday (29th April) a group of 70 volunteers from General Mills, the food company behind Häagen-Dazs, Old El Paso and Green Giant, decended on the Iver Environment Centre – one of four environmental education centres across the UK which are owned by the National Grid – to help prepare for the busy spring season.
Every year around World Earth Day (22 April), General Mills employees across the globe volunteer in their local communities as part of the company’s Global Volunteer Week. Those at the Uxbridge Office – the multinational’s European headquarters – once again returned to the Iver Centre, a local environmental centre which engages children, adults, and vulnerable members of the community with nature and gardening to enrich their learning, physical and mental health, and sense of community across Beaconsfield, Uxbridge and the surrounding areas.
“The Iver Environment Centre is a wonderful community space here in the Colne Valley doing important work engaging with people of all ages and abilities to help appreciate, learn about and protect our natural spaces. I am delighted that General Mills continue to give back to our local community through their annual volunteering, and I would urge everyone to visit and help out at this valuable local centre,” Joy Morrissey, local MP, said.
Continuing a years-long Earth Day tradition, General Mills employees worked in teams to clear nettles from play and teaching areas and restore wildlife ahead of the summer term, to be enjoyed by local school children. They also built polytunnels, restained benches and planted new greenery and flowers in the sunshine.
“We are so delighted to be back at the Iver Environment Centre supporting our local area to mark World Earth Day. We hope that as a result of our contribution many more people will be able to use and enjoy this precious community resource,” Simon Fisher, commercial director of General Mills UK UK & Ireland, said.
“As a global food company, we are committed to inspiring our workforce and those around us to look after the environment in which we grow our food. As a local employer, we know the importance of taking care of our community. This is why our team strives to continue to be a force for good through our partnerships and collaborations.”
Emma Rust, project officer of education and volunteering at the Iver Environmental Centre, said: “We’re grateful for the continued support of our corporate volunteers from General Mills as we couldn’t possibly provide what we do for the community without them. General Mills has been a loyal supporter for many years and the work the employees do to help us prepare for our busy season is a great help. Thanks to all of our local volunteers, we look forward to our summer opening in a few weeks!”
