How the AgencyBloc Team Used Their VTO in 2021

Volunteer Time Off, or VTO, is an opportunity for our team members to give back to the causes, organizations, and groups we believe in. Each AgencyBloc team member is given 8 hours of VTO time every year.

As our team grows, how we give back has expanded. Scroll down to see how we used our VTO time in 2021!

Des Moines Bicycle & Street Collective

Jen rolled up her sleeves and headed to the Des Moines Bicycle & Street Collective. During her time volunteering, she helped refurbish used and donated bikes for adults and children. Her team disassembled three adult and two kid bikes, then refurbished two kid bikes.

The cause: The Des Moines Bicycle & Street Collective envisions a region where everyone can walk, pedal, ride, or roll comfortably throughout the entire community. They champion active transportation options that are accessible, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.

Learn more about the Des Moines Bicycle & Street Collective by visiting their website.

Eat Greater Des Moines

Two different AgencyBloc groups gave back to Eat Greater Des Moines. They worked to distribute produce and cold foods to bridge the gap in food insecurity around the Greater Des Moines area. They moved thousands of pounds of produce and dairy products and distributed them to daycares, religious groups, and other nonprofit groups focused on helping those in need.

The cause: Eat Greater Des Moines (EGDM) is a central Iowa-based nonprofit organization that facilitates and builds connections to strengthen the area’s food system. Their mission is to unite the community in providing access to quality food for all: "We build communities through food."

Learn more about Eat Greater DSM by visiting their website.

Meals From The Heartland

Patty paired up with her grandson to help out at Meals From The Heartland. They spent an entire day working with other volunteers to create packaged meals for starving children worldwide.

The cause: Meals From The Heartland is made up of volunteers from businesses, schools, churches, community organizations, and beyond who package meals for delivery to malnourished people in Iowa, across the United States, and around the world.

Learn more about Meals From The Heartland by visiting their website.

Earth Day

In honor of Earth Day 2021, multiple AgencyBloc team members put on their sturdy shoes to help clean up their communities. The groups collected many bags filled to the brim with trash to help do their part in keeping their communities beautiful.

United Way: Day of Caring

Sara and Tasha teamed up to take part in United Way’s Day of Caring in Waverly, Iowa. Their team took on refurbishing and staining one of the favorite play parks in Waverly so it can continue to be loved for years to come.

The cause: The United Way: Day of Caring initiative allows communities to create unique and special volunteer opportunities that benefit their specific community.

Learn more about The United Way by visiting their website.

Habitat for Humanity

Sam put her woodworking knowledge to good use helping out Habitat for Humanity this year. During her day of volunteering, she helped to frame in basement walls and put the tops on stairs so the new residents could get to their freshly finished basements!

The cause: Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home. They believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities.

Learn more about Habitat for Humanity by visiting their website.

Food Bank of Iowa

A team of AgencyBloc volunteers gathered together to sort potatoes (4,228 pounds to be exact) for the Food Bank of Iowa. They separated squishy potatoes, moldy and discolored potatoes, and ones with too many new sprouts from the pristine potatoes to give out to families in need just in time for the holidays.

The cause: The Food Bank of Iowa provides food for Iowa children, families, and seniors to lead full and active lives, strengthening the communities where they live.

Learn more about the Food Bank of Iowa by visiting their website.

Kadens Kloset

Another team of AgencyBloc volunteers gathered together to help foster and newly adoptive parents pick out holiday gifts, clothes, and other needed items for their kids. The team assisted the families, showed them their options, and even gift-wrapped the final choices!

The cause: Kadens Kloset is a place where foster and newly adoptive parents can come and shop for items they need.

Learn more about Kadens Kloset by visiting their website.

What’s in Store for 2022?

These are just a few examples of how our team gave back this year. Follow our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn feeds to see everything our team takes part in throughout the year!

Posted by Allison Babberl on Friday, December 24, 2021 in About Us