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2009 News and Information

Microsoft Canada Employees Support Fruit Sharing Program

22 September2009 

Providing fresh fruit and vegetables to those in need is the mission of the Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Farm program. Today volunteers got some additional help harvesting their crop from staff at Microsoft Canada. Over 50 staff volunteered their time at Terra Nova park harvesting food, installing a compost and removing invasive species.

Microsoft Canada also donated $10,000 to assist in the continued operations of the initiative, and together with Avenue Machinery—a Kubota dealership in Abbotsford, presented a new tractor for the Fruit Tree Sharing Farm.

“We are thrilled with the amount of support we have received from Microsoft Canada,” says Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “It is great to see so many staff volunteering their time to help with this program that benefits so many residents. They are a true asset to our community.”

This initiative is part of the larger Microsoft Canada iVolunteer program which provides up to five days of paid volunteer time for every full time employee in Canada.

“Microsoft Canada is proud to share the passion of our employees to help the City of Richmond and the Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing program in its efforts to provide food for those who need it,” said Dennis Pilarinos, the newly appointed Microsoft Canada Development Centre Site Director. “Our employees are committed to helping improve the communities in which they live and work, whether through volunteering or lending our technology expertise.”

In addition to the $10,000 donation, Microsoft employees also raised $2,500 through its fruit program which began in June 2008. Each time they take a piece of free fruit offered at the campus they are asked to make a donation. This money has been used for ongoing work by the fruit tree sharing program.

In nine summers, volunteers have picked over 150,000 lbs. of fruit and vegetables to donate to those living in poverty.