CVSS Applauds National Baking Company Philanthropy

For Gary “Butch” Hendrickson, giving is part pleasure and part responsibility, attributes that have been ingrained in his family for generations.

The chairman and chief executive officer of National Baking Company has adhered to this mantra throughout the years while at the helm of his organization and, has seen the National Baking Company contributing to several worthy causes in Jamaica.

Some of the areas that the company has impacted include: early childhood education; providing scholarships for needy students; youth empowerment; support to children’s homes; small business development; food banks and caring for the elderly.

Winsome Wilkins, chief executive officer of the Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS) said that since 2015, the National Baking Company has been supporting the activities and programmes of the CVSS.

She further elaborated that Mr Hendrickson, who is also president of the CVSS, has also provided in kind and financial support through his company.

“Unless there is sponsorship or in kind support, we would not be able to deliver on our programmes. Sponsorship enables us to be more effective and assist us in providing valuable support to our members,” she noted.

The CVSS CEO said that National Baking Company has assisted with activities such as the CVSS Summer Games; the CVSS’ Hall of Fame; Day of Care and many more activities.

Commending the philanthropic work of the National Baking Company, Mrs Wilkins said this corporate entity recognized the true meaning of giving back and supporting nation building.

“The organisation believes in advancing early childhood education and this was demonstrated in the partnership with Crayon Counts, a campaign to support early childhood education. They understood the need for this type of investment in our young children,” she said.

Mrs Wilkins in encouraging other corporate entities to also give back said that, the work of the voluntary sector is very important and depends on the goodwill of persons and entities.

“The CVSS provides an opportunity for you to contribute. We are encouraging all to support the activities of the CVSS either in kind or cash,” she said. “We however want to use this opportunity to salute the National Baking Company for its unwavering support,” she said.

Established in 1952, the National Baking Company emerged from a small bakery in St. Elizabeth. Since then, it has expanded into Mandeville and Kingston. It now employs some 1,000 persons in its 220,000-sq.-ft. facility and two manufacturing plants in Kingston and Mandeville.