“Something I’ve really appreciated about our company is it gives back and makes sure the community we live and work in are taken care of,” says Stephanie Fajkus, a human resources generalist at Harrah’s Kansas City Casino & Hotel. 

Stephanie is a board member of HERO, a community service group at Harrah’s that determines work-related volunteer opportunities and distribution of employee generated charitable contributions.  

HERO regularly sends volunteers to help with the monthly Harvesters mobile distribution at the North Kansas City YMCA.  

“They are right in our backyard,” said Stephanie, who frequently takes a couple hours away from her desk to roll up her sleeves and direct traffic, ask drivers the number of members in their family or load trunks with food and fresh produce.  

“Sometimes you think, ‘Do I really have time in my day to volunteer?’ and then you do it and when you’re done you feel like you have done something really special, and the rest of the day is a feel-good day,” she said. 

Last year, HERO sponsored a Charity Jeans Day, an event that raised $8,000 and was donated to Harvesters.  

“One of the things we appreciate about Harvesters is we know that all these other charitable organizations we work closely with (throughout the year), Harvesters also supports all of them. That’s something that is really special. It’s nice knowing our efforts go full circle,” Stephanie said.  

“I have food at home. I am blessed and grateful, but we know food insecurity is a problem,” Stephanie said.