At Bayer, we’re always looking for ways to do our part to strengthen and support the communities where we live and work, including those in and around our Hawaii offices and farms.  

Thankfully there are many organizations on the islands that are already doing amazing work each and every day. The Institute for Human Services (IHS), whose aim is to end the cycle of homelessness, is one such organization. IHS provides shelter, meals, employment services, family programs and case management services to unhoused people across the islands. In the last 10 years, they’ve served 2.8 million meals and housed more than 17,000 people, with demand increasing each year.  

This is the season of gratitude and warmth, and what better way to share in that spirit than by providing our unhoused neighbors with warm meals? That’s why on November 18 a team of Bayer employees visited IHS’ men’s shelter in Honolulu to participate in LeaderServe Friday.  

LeaderServe Friday provides a unique opportunity for community, business and political leaders to get involved with IHS and directly support the unhoused community. On these designated days, leaders and their teams visit to serve meals – this not only provides extra helping hands, it helps these individuals connect on a deeper level with their communities while also engaging their employees.  

“We’re always looking for ways to support our community,” explains Megan Fonoti, Production Manager at Bayer Hawaii. “There are an estimated 15,000 unhoused people in Hawaii, and the work IHS does to support them is unparalleled.” 

Megan along with her Bayer teammates, presented a donation to IHS on behalf of Bayer. “No donation is necessary to participate in LeaderServe Friday,” explains Ana Alualu, Program Manager at IHS. “However, many of our LeaderServe participants do choose to make a donation to further support us and provide additional meals to the people we serve, and Bayer has generously made a $5,000 donation to IHS in addition to serving meals today.” 

There are so many ways to join Bayer Hawaii in supporting IHS – from volunteering to serve meals, to sorting donations, to editing resumes with the employment program, there’s a volunteer opportunity for everyone.  

Visit IHShawaii.org/volunteer to learn more or donate today.