Community

 

No Muffin Left Behind Sales

No Muffin Left BehindThe company holds several "No Muffin Left Behind" sales throughout the year that sell "off spec" product to the public. Proceeds from this one day sale benefit charitable organizations.

 

 

Wellness Wellness@Work

Main Street Gourmet is pleased and honored to be the recipient of the first annual "Wellness@Work" Award from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and its partner, the Cleveland Clinic. The awards honor companies that have demonstrated and promoted excellence in workplace wellness and community involvement.
Main Street Gourmet's own Health and Wellness Committee designed and created programs to encourage employees to live a more healthful lifestyle. Employee programs at Main Street Gourmet include a healthy lunch program; guest speakers on fitness and for all employees to use, including a bicycle program where employees can check out and ride bicycles before or after work or during breaks; a weekend hiking club, a lunch-time walking club; an annual health fair that includes individual health assessments; free stop smoking seminars and free employee immunization clinics.

 

 

Refugee Program

Refugee ProgramMain Street Gourmet’s commitment to diversity is evident through its dealings with the International Institute in Akron, Ohio.  Slightly more than 7% of MSG's workforce is comprised of refugee referrals from the Institute (all hired since 2006), assisting persons from a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds assimilate into American society and add their unique threads to the fabric of the local community.

 

 

 

Employing People with Disabilities

Board of Mental Retardation & Developmental DisabilitiesSince 1995, the company has supported the Weaver School Workshop program at its corporate and production facilities. The Weaver School works with the mentally challenged. Several Weaver School students are employed by the company to perform various duties and functions. The company was recognized by the Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities for this distinguished program and their support towards people with disabilities.

 

 

Akron Canton Food Bank donor

Akron Canton Regional Food BankThe company is a continuous donor of food to the Akron Canton Regional Food Bank, whose contributions are used to feed the homeless and others less fortunate. The company’s Co-CEO has voluntarily served as President of this non-profit entity.

 

 

Muffins for Mammograms

Muffins for MammogramsIn 1992, the company, along with Akron General’s Women’s Health and Cancer Center, started a charitable program called “Muffins for Mammograms.” This annual weeklong effort raises money for women who cannot afford mammograms along with distribution of life saving breast health information to raise community awareness. Held every October, during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, muffins, cookies and brownies are baked, packaged and distributed (along with breast cancer information) by the employees of Main Street Gourmet and Akron General Medical Center to members of the business community. To date, this volunteer effort has raised more than $200,000. It has allowed hundreds of women who otherwise could not have afforded mammograms to be screened for breast cancer. In 1994, this program received national recognition as a “Bronze Award” winner by the National Breast Cancer Board and in 2005 it received the Ohio Cancer Control Model Program Award presented by The Ohio Department of Health. In 2008, it received the Making a Difference Human Service Award presented by the Summit County Education Initiative.

 

 

Road Runner Akron Marathon

Akron RoadRunner Marathon & Team RelaysSteve Marks, Co-CEO and founder of Main Street Gourmet, is also the founder of the Road Runner Akron Marathon. This 501(c)(3) organization was funded by Steve's family to promote health and fitness, create a marquee event for the community and ultimately benefit charitable organizations. This event features a full marathon, two and five person relays, Kids Fun Run, a Health and Fitness Expo and more. Aside from bringing more than 10,000 runners and over 100,000 spectators together, it has generated more than $100,000 for area charitable organizations.

 

 

Junior Acheivement

Junior AchievementMain Street Gourmet has supported the efforts of Junior Achievement through participation in its annual Groundhog Shadow Day as well as in-class participation. Several Main Street employees, including Co-CEO Harvey Nelson, teach weekly classes on business related topics. Main Street Gourmet has participated in the JA Bowl-a-thon, as well.

 

 

Other Sponsored Events

Since the company was founded, it has continually sponsored numerous other community events, donated its products for many worthy causes and contributed monies to many additional charitable organizations. The company has received multiple Pillar Awards from Small Business News Magazine for community service.