IPG Mediabrands’ global media agency network UM held its sixth global impact day last Thursday across more than 50 countries and 120 offices worldwide.
The event, initially launched in 2016 under UM’s corporate social responsibility unit better world, is a day dedicated to community service and care.
Across Australia around 200 UM-ers worked alongside a chosen charity to give back.
In Melbourne the team made curry puffs and vegetable tagine; Sydney prepared pickled vegetables to be distributed to indigenous communities in regional NSW; Canberra focused on education around ensuring food security for our future; and the Brisbane team prepared almost 3300 meals over the day.
Anathea Ruys CEO of UM Australia said impact day is a special day in UM’s calendar as the Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney teams work together and participate in the company’s loved annual tradition of contributing to a #Better World via IMPACT Day.
“This year’s theme 'building a better future' made us stop and think about what charities we could work with that are helping to build a better future for vulnerable Australians," Ruys said.
“At a time when the rising cost of living has seen the need for food relief increase so significantly, we chose to focus our efforts and offer financial and physical support with Our Big Kitchen in Sydney, FareShare in Brisbane and OzHarvest in Melbourne and Canberra, so we can help Australians who are finding life tough move forward with dignity and confidence.”
“I am exceptionally proud of my team as they worked together, inspiring each other to help build a #UMBetterWorld for us all to share and love."
Impact Day launched in the U.S. in 2016 and expanded globally in 2018, with volunteers across 50 offices in 40 countries. Now, UM employees from over 120 offices and 50 countries volunteer, sharing their experiences on social media using the hashtags #UMBetterWorld and #UMImpactDay
Andrea Suarez, global CEO of UM, said UM is always excited to roll up our sleeves and give back to the community.
“From picking up litter on beaches and parks in the US to providing essentials for those with disabilities in South Korea to feeding unhoused people in Greece, our community’s micro actions will drive macro results that build a better tomorrow," Suarez said.
UM Brisbane
Andrew Copeland, general manager at UM Brisbane, said he is so proud of UM Brisbane’s team who took ‘to the tools ‘in Australia’s largest charity kitchen, FareShare.
"[We] helped prepare more than 3300 meals for Australians in hardship. It was a day of thought and consideration for others but also a day of deep camaraderie and mateship," Copeland said.
"As a team we rallied together and had lots of fun making an Impact for those less fortunate than ourselves.”
UM Sydney
Ben McCallum, managing director at UM Sydney, said his team was lucky to spend time in the company of such inspirational and driven people at Our Big Kitchen.
"The very need and existence of such an operation is a conversation in itself, however the team have created an incredibly successful and seamless operation that is helping people in need every day of the week," McCallum said.
"A group of people that turn up every day because people depend on them, it really puts the challenges of daily life into perspective."
"If making a meal can bring a moment of joy to just one person, it was worth it," McCallum said.
"And not just a meal for sustenance, the quality coming out of the kitchen rivals the best restaurants in the country. Genuine passion, love, and a desire to find a way to improve the experience one person might have on any given day goes into the food, and you can taste it.
"It was humbling for the team to be able to contribute to Our Big Kitchen, but we leave inspired to do more and to raise the awareness of a team of people that deserve to be in the spotlight."
UM Canberra
Brett Elliott, managing director at UM Canberra, said UM Impact Day is a great global concept that he and his team always have fun implementing at a local level.
"It’s a chance for our staff to give back in a meaningful way when it comes to equity, sustainability and wellness," Elliott said.
"This year we did that by partnering with OzHarvest to learn how leftover supermarket food is repurposed to help 73 different charities across Canberra every week, and working with Vinnies where the team packaged a year worth of hygiene hampers that will be donated to shelters and people in need.
"We also sorted over 800kg of warm clothes bound for Night Patrol, who will donate clothes to the community this winter."
UM Melbourne
Gareth Nicholls, managing director at UM Melbourne, said his office had the privilege of working for the OzHarvest, a remarkable organisation dedicated to combating food waste and hunger in Australia.
"Through their innovative food rescue program, we collect surplus food from supermarkets, restaurants, and businesses that would otherwise go to waste," Nicholls said. "This rescued food is then redistributed to vulnerable communities, shelters, and charities, providing nourishment to those in need.
"Beyond fighting hunger, they actively raise awareness about food waste's environmental impact and promote sustainable practices. OzHarvest's great work not only fills empty stomachs but also fosters a sense of community and unity, as volunteers and donors come together to create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
"Spending time with OzHarvest not only provided the team with the opportunity to make a small but vital impact on the Melbourne Community, it also helped educate us all about on our own relationship with food and waste.
"I for one, left with a more conscious understanding of how I can lower my food waste and help those in need within the local community."
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