Freestore Foodbank Honors BelFlex with “Partner of the Year” Award

Company recognized for its instrumental role in launching LIFT the TriState program

Cincinnati, OH, February 22, 2018 – BelFlex Staffing Network (BelFlex), a staffing and flexible workforce solutions firm in the commercial sector, has been named “Partner of the Year” by the Freestore Foodbank, one of Ohio’s largest food banks. The company was recognized for its commitment to investing in the community and its role in helping to launch LIFT (Logistics, Inventory Management, Facilities Management and Transportation) the TriState, an ongoing program that provides unemployed and underemployed adults with the opportunity to obtain the skills needed for employment in the warehouse and transportation industries. The award was presented to Candace McCaw, BelFlex Owner and Chairman and Michael (Mike) C. McCaw, BelFlex CEO, during the Freestore Foodbank’s “Distinguished Speaker Series and Annual Meeting” on January 25, 2018.

“BelFlex is honored and grateful to be recognized as ‘Partner of the Year’ by the Freestore Foodbank, an organization that we hold in the highest regard for the incredible work it does to benefit so many in our community,” said Mike McCaw. “LIFT the TriState has been a particularly inspiring program for us as it fits perfectly with BelFlex’s philosophy of ‘Succeeding Together,’ which is our commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of all the people, businesses and communities we serve.”

BelFlex and the McCaw Family Charitable Fund not only provided financial investment for the start-up costs of LIFT the TriState, but helped develop the program design and made resources available to families and individuals struggling to find a stable and sustainable career. Two key figures in these efforts were BelFlex’s Vice President Robert Baer and Business Development Manager for Operations Casey Wagonfield. Together, they were involved with the program from its first class in July 2017 through its conclusion in October 2017 with nine graduates – all of who are currently employed at area businesses. They will continue to play a role in the second LIFT the TriState session, which began on January 16, 2018 and has attracted a greater number of participants with 23 individuals enrolled.

“Every year we’re honored to recognize a community partner who has played a vital role in helping us serve our neighbors and BelFlex rose to the top this year,” said Kurt Reiber, Freestore Foodbank President and CEO. “We had a dream to provide free training to underemployed and unemployed individuals in the logistics field and thanks to BelFlex and the McCaw Family Charitable Fund we turned that dream into reality.”

LIFT the TriState participants are trained to work in a variety of settings including distribution, material handling, warehouse management, and environments involving food and hazardous materials. Through the program, participants have the opportunity to receive a LIFT Certification of Completion, a Certified Logistics Associates (CLA) designation and a Ceritified Logistics Training (CLT) designation, as well as certifications in Powered Industrial Equipment license and ServSafe, a food safety training program. They are also trained in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance, 5S workplace organization methodology and lean manufacturing processes.

To learn more about LIFT the TriState, please visit https://belflex.com/lift-the-tristate-program/ or http://freestorefoodbank.org/programs/lift-the-tristate/.

About Freestore Foodbank
The Freestore Foodbank is the largest emergency food and services provider to children and families in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana. The organization distributes 24 million meals annually to low-income individuals and families. The Freestore Foodbank supports 400 community partners in 20 counties throughout Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, including food kitchens, homeless shelters, emergency food pantries, social service centers and program sites. By providing emergency food distribution, the Freestore Foodbank responds to the issue of poverty and food insecurity in our community and provides an array of services (emergency clothing, housing services, SNAP assistance, Medicaid outreach and others) aimed at creating self-reliance. The Freestore Foodbank is a member of Feeding America. Visit www.freestorefoodbank.org for more information.

About BelFlex
BelFlex Staffing Network is driven by a passion for creating success for its employees, clients, and communities—what it calls Succeeding Together. BelFlex provides commercial staffing workforce solutions, from light industrial to clerical and administrative positions, as well as professional staffing and direct hire opportunities. BelFlex’s customers value its deep industry knowledge, recruiting expertise, commitment to compliance, and partnering approach to improving productivity. Founded in 1989, BelFlex employs over 5,000 people through its 28 branch offices. Learn more at BelFlex.com.

Media Contact
Karen Pressman
ClearEdge Marketing
917-650-2159
kpressman@clearedgemarketing.com