Community engagement and increasing corporate social responsibility has been linked to organisations attracting and retaining staff. Indeed, employee retention is one of many organisations major battles. A survey conducted by Australian Human Resources Institute in 2015 revealed that the average turnover figure is 16 percent! This is costly in many ways including a decline in productivity. Now many organisations are investing in retention initiatives such as competitive pay may not be a financially viable option. Employees no longer prioritise holding tenure with their current company over seeking a job elsewhere that better suits their lifestyle, career and altruistic aspirations.

Parramatta Mission believe one of the key engagement factors that really matter to staff is a card that many organisations in the corporate world may not have yet realised - the importance of creating a corporate social responsibility. Parramatta Mission have gathered this information through the experience of providing many corporate organisations the ability to partner with them and achieve their corporate social responsibility, especially though their Meals Plus service.

Parramatta Mission's Meals Plus is a program that provides an inclusive, safe place were many who are struggling from all kinds of issues including homelessness, crisis and domestic violence, can come and eat a healthy meal and socialise with others. They serve breakfast and lunch to those who are homeless, facing homelessness or in financial crisis.

They provide more than 26,000 meals a year.

Meals Plus has been running for more than 20 years now and only have three paid staff.

Meals Plus provides an opportunity for organisations to have a designated event where you can sponsor a lunch, on a day of your choice – which is excellent for team building and demonstrating your corporate social responsibility. As a team you will prepare, cook and serve meals for those less fortunate. Feedback has been that this is a very rewarding experience; many of their corporate volunteers ask when they can return!

To find out more, or to book in your sponsored lunch contact: fundraising@parrmarramattamission.org.au