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Providing Families with Food for their Tables: Mary Jo Shares her Volunteer Story

June 18, 2014
Mary Jo Tonachio, Southern California Division Sales Director

"Global Community Day has become a proud tradition at Citi over the years- an annual opportunity for employees, alumni, clients, family and friends around the world to serve their cities and use their time, skills, and expertise to make a difference in their communities." - Bob Annibale, Global Director of Citi Community Development and Microfinance

What is the need you saw in your city that drove you to volunteer or cause you to want to support? Why was the need important to support?

How did you serve your local community?

In addition to supporting local food drives, I have volunteered with my Citi colleagues at Food Banks in Long Beach and Los Angeles. I have also volunteered to help with various affordable housing projects.

What was the impact of the support you gave?

What are you most proud of from your volunteering experience?

I am a big believer that people and businesses need to work together to provide proper food, shelter and education to the communities where we live and work in. I am so proud to work with a group of people here at Citi that unselfishly donate their time to make these volunteer goals a reality.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start volunteering in their community?

I would tell them to first inquire if their company has any organizations that they support. If they don't, then start a program. If that's not possible, then decide where you think the biggest need is - hunger, homelessness, education, etc. - and then research local organizations online or through your local city government that you could support.

In what ways do you think volunteering makes a difference?

Volunteering makes a difference because when people invest their personal time it resonates more than just writing a check. Additionally, volunteers get a clearer view of the issues our communities face and therefore, are more likely to be vested in making a change. This in turn improves the communities in which they live.

What organization did you volunteer with for this year's Global Community Day?

On June 7th, I participated in the Citi-sponsored Garden Build in South Los Angeles at the Alliance Public Charter School.

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