LEO’S OWNERS DONATE $50,000 TO LOCAL COMMUNITY NON-PROFITS
August 21, 2023 – GREENFIELD, INDIANA – It’s a family tradition! The White family, owners of Leo’s Market and Eatery, love giving back and did so in a BIG way to 13 Hancock County-based community non-profit organizations. The family’s objective is to support initiatives that enhance the desire to ‘live, work and play’ in Shirley and nearby surrounding communities in Hancock County, Indiana where the White family calls home.
This is the 11th year the family-based fund has granted monetary awards to local organizations. The grants have historically totaled $25,000 annually, however this year that amount was generously increased to $50,000 thanks to an exclusive financial contribution/match from Pride Investment Partners, the White family’s primary business interest (founders of Leo’s Market and Eatery) located in Greenfield, Indiana. The family is deeply committed to maintaining a strong emphasis on philanthropy in the localities where they reside and conduct business. They prioritize making a constructive influence their foremost concern. “We believe in giving back to the communities that support us. It’s not just something we promise to do; it’s at the heart of what we stand for,” said Stephanie White-Longworth, President of Pride Investment Partners, Leo’s Market and Eatery, and White Family Foundation Chairwoman. 2023 grants were awarded to the following:
LEO’S MARKET AND EATERY EMPLOYEES DONATE $2,595 TO HANCOCK COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
May 31, 2021 – GREENFIELD, INDIANA – Leo’s Market and Eatery employees are using their hard-earned money to support furry friends in need of a home.
Through a voluntary paycheck contribution program, employees gathered $2,595 and voted to contribute the funds to the Hancock County Humane Society, a no-kill, non-profit animal shelter operating in the county since 1977.
Some $9,800 has been donated to several county nonprofit organizations through the Pride’s Purpose community enrichment fund. This is the third such event held since the Greenfield Leo’s Market and Eatery location, 2212 W. Main St., opened in July 2019.
When a new employee is hired at Leo’s Market and Eatery, one of the first things they do is decide whether to make a charitable donation of a portion of each paycheck into the fund. Leo’s Market and Eatery matches 100% of each of those donations, meaning for every dollar donated by employees, Leo’s also contributes a dollar to the fund. Leo’s Market and Eatery encourages employees to donate part of each paycheck to support its core values, including community mindedness.
Leo’s and Pride Investment Partners also pursue sponsorships, dine-to-donate events, volunteering and making donations to local nonprofit organizations. Past contributions have gone to the Landing Place, the Hope House homeless shelter, and Mental Health Partners of Hancock County.
The Humane Society houses an average of 40 cats every day, either in its shelter or in the homes of volunteer foster parents, said Beverly Reece, Hancock County Humane Society treasurer and adoption coordinator. The contributions made by Leo’s Market and Eatery employees will go toward operating costs, which in the summer include increased air conditioning bills, along with the usual veterinary bills for spays, neuters, and other healthcare for the cats, which is included in the cost of adopting from the Humane Society, Reece said.
Tami White, Pride Investment Partners board member, said employees decisively chose the Humane Society to donate to during this round. Getting to watch employees choose where their contributions go and getting excited about improving the community is a powerful thing, she added. “It’s their money, and that goes a long way,” she said.
LEO’S MARKET AND EATERY DONATES $4,000 TO SOUP KITCHEN ENDOWMENT MATCH
April 28, 2021 – GREENFIELD, INDIANA – Local business Leo’s Market and Eatery recently donated $4,000 to support Hancock County’s soup kitchen. Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen kicks off its Feed the Future campaign May 1, an effort to grow its financial bedrock to maintain its mission of providing hot meals to those in need. The soup kitchen currently holds an endowment of $75,000 through the Hancock County Community Foundation and aims to raise an additional $25,000 during the campaign, which ends Dec. 31, 2021.
Leo’s Market and Eatery is one of four groups or families to donate dollar-for-dollar matching funds in advance of the Feed the Future campaign, to help make sure the organization gets to its $100,000 goal. Leo’s stepped up to support the soup kitchen because it is an integral part of the Hancock County community, said Stephanie White-Longworth, president of Leo’s Market and Eatery.
“The soup kitchen is an amazing organization that we are proud to be able to support,” she said. “The volunteers and staff who prepare those meals and care for everyone who comes through the door are a blessing to the community, and one of Leo’s Market and Eatery’s core values is to give back to the communities we operate in.” Leo’s Market and Eatery has contributed to the soup kitchen in the past, including donations of kolaches to the kitchen’s pantry, White-Longworth said.
The soup kitchen, which opened its doors in December 2008, faced unique challenges last year through the pandemic, said director Jill Ebbert. Social distancing restrictions forced the kitchen at 202 E. Main St. in Greenfield to move to takeout only. The organization adapted, building a tent within the building to allow clients to pick up their meals in a warm area instead of standing outside through the winter months, Ebbert said.
Despite the limitations imposed by protecting clients, volunteers and staff from COVID-19, the kitchen in 2020 provided 23,491 hot meals, an 18 percent increase from 2019, Ebbert said. And with the soup kitchen facing shortfalls from canceled events, the community stepped up in a big way, making generous donations that gave the organization its best financial year since its inception, she said. “It was the right time to build on our endowment,” she said. “We are extremely grateful to the donors who are matching the funds, because with their help, we are hoping to surpass that $100,000 goal.”
Leo’s Market and Eatery will host its first Dine-to-Donate event to benefit The Landing Place
TO BE RESCHEDULED – Sunday, March 22, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Ten percent of sales in Leo’s Eatery will be donated to benefit the Landing Place of Hancock County, thelandingplacehc.com, 18 W. South St., Greenfield, Indiana.
Founded in 2013, The Landing Place is a faith-based non-profit organization. Struggling to find help for her daughter suffering from substance abuse, Linda Ostewig opened The Landing Place with the intention to provide a safe and supportive environment for Hancock County youth to find help.
Realizing there were no existing options, Linda strived to create a “coffee house” atmosphere and no-cost programming to help youth with their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Envisioning a teen version of Celebrate Recovery, Linda worked with Brandywine Community Church Pastor Mark Wright to conceptualize The Landing Place and see to its founding in Greenfield.
Let your friends and family know about this great event to benefit a worthy cause!
Interested in a Donation for Your Organization?
Leo’s Market and Eatery core values include being community minded. If you think your organization should be considered for a Dine to Donate opportunity, gift cards, or sponsorship please complete the Donation Request Form. Thank you!