One business, the Sacramento-based Roni Lynn Deutch, A Professional Tax Corporation law firm, recognized that the recession has made community philanthropy more urgent than ever.
In the midst of a recession, many companies have enough to worry about, without even looking beyond their balance sheets or out their front doors.
At the same time, the need for philanthropy in the outside community is even greater during difficult economic times, pairing a reduced corporate philanthropy budget with an increased demand for charity.
The Roni Lynn Deutch, A Professional Tax Corporation, has heard the call for increased philanthropy. The tax law firm and its partner company, the RDTC tax preparation franchise, recently organized a community service project in a Sacramento affordable housing community.
Employees collected food and monetary donations for weeks ahead of the event, and then prepared and served a communal breakfast for the residents of Martin Luther King Jr. Village, which provides affordable and no-cost housing to homeless individuals.
Martin Luther King Jr. Village is part of the nonprofit organization Mercy Housing, which is based on the "housing first" philosophy of accepting residents regardless of addiction or other issues.
After setting up housing, the organization provides residents with social services such as counseling, substance abuse and addiction programs, and life skills training.
Following the positive feedback from the Martin Luther King Jr. Village residents and staff, Roni Lynn Deutch decided to implement the community service project as a monthly tradition.
"We have been fortunate during this difficult time, and because of that good fortune, I believe it is important to give back," said Roni Lynn Deutch. "Our community outreach program is relatively new, but the planning committee has already been successful in helping dozens of local families."
