Mercantile Collects Over 1200 Food Items for Hearts for the Homeless

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The employees of Mercantile Adjustment Bureau, LLC, an accounts receivable firm based in Buffalo, NY, collected over 1,200 food items including chili, baked beans and beef stew for local mobile food kitchen Hearts for the Homeless.

Hearts for the Homeless provides 50 to 100 people in the city of Buffalo with a hot meal each night and sends them home with a to-go bag which consists of a sandwich and other food items. In 2016 they fed approximately 12,000 people.

“There is a feeling of satisfaction of knowing that when we feed people at night, they will not go to bed hungry,” said Ron Calandra, Executive Director and Founder of Hearts for the Homeless.

In February 2016, Mercantile collected over 1,800 cans of tuna for the organization. With such a great response, the employees felt that continuing to help with the immediate need for chili, baked beans and beef stew in their October pantry would be essential heading into the winter months. “It’s because of people like the employees of Mercantile, who answer our plea, that make what we do possible,” said Donna Blarr, Office Manager at Hearts for the Homeless. “We are greatly appreciative for all they have done.”

Teams were created within the organization to see who could collect the most chili, baked beans and beef stew in a two week period. The prize was a pizza lunch.

“Watching the success of the second food drive contest showed me just how compassionate our employees are,” said Dan Lauer, AVP of Collections. “We are all proud that we are able to make a difference in our community.”

Mercantile plans to continue the food drive competitions throughout the year for Hearts for the Homeless. They have also added a winter coat drive to help the organization.

About Mercantile Adjustment Bureau, LLC

Mercantile Adjustment Bureau, LLC is a Buffalo-based full service accounts receivable management company providing third and first-party collections, specialty services and customer care/service. Morea at www.mercantilesolutions.com