Residential Finance Corp. Employees Participate in Thanksgiving Food Drive for Mid-Ohio Foodbank

Employees at one Columbus company have made an all-out effort to support Mid-Ohio Foodbank’s efforts to help the needy this season. With nearly 100-percent participation, employees at Residential Finance Corporation (RFC) (http://www.residentialfinance.com), a nationwide mortgage lender specializing in refinance have raised and contributed $3,146 in cash and approximately 200 turkeys and traditional Thanksgiving food items to Mid-Ohio Foodbank’s Seventh Annual Turkey Hunt. Mid-Ohio Foodbank reports that food requests are up fourteen-percent over last year, and the goal of this year’s program is to provide 5,000 local families with a hearty Thanksgiving meal. The Mid-Ohio Foodbank is able to distribute $8 of groceries with every $1 collected. As a result, the value of RFC’s donation will net $25,168 worth of groceries distributed to those in need.

Loan Officer Michael Kopper spearheaded Residential Finance’s Turkey Hunt fundraising efforts. To encourage greater employee participation, the company offered $5 Starbucks gift cards to everyone donating $20 or more, and launched an internal contest by department, with the highest donation winning a “dress down” day. RFC is a very statistics/metrics-oriented company, so HR Director Beth Wilson distributed daily statistics with charts and graphs detailing the fundraiser’s progress, boosting participation and adding excitement to the contest.

Kopper said, “I volunteer at the Mid-Ohio Foodbank and also do Meals On Wheels with a friend, so I see firsthand how our efforts change lives. The Thanksgiving Turkey Hunt is an important fundraiser and I’m ecstatic to see what happens when everyone at Residential Finance applies their team spirit—it has really paid off. Hopefully this becomes an annual event and next year. I say we go companywide and challenge our Tampa office to a competition!”

Another loan officer, Scott Johnson, donated $500. “I want to help as many struggling families as I can this holiday season,” said Scott. “I never want to see somebody go without when I have a chance to give back! I am happy to share my blessings to help others and I hope all of these families have a wonderful holiday. I appreciate the opportunity to get involved and contribute with my coworkers and plan to make another donation for upcoming our Secret Santa drive so no child goes without a gift under the tree!”

Residential Finance Corp. Vice President, David Stein, said, “Although this has been one of the very best years ever for Residential Finance Corporation, many Ohioans have not been so fortunate. Mid-Ohio Foodbank provides an important service to our community during the holiday season—and year round. RFC employees have a wonderful team spirit, and I’m pleased that they’ve enthusiastically banded together to raise both awareness and contributions to help Mid-Ohio Foodbank to supply a holiday meal for those in need.”