PEORIA (25News Now) – Companies are making an effort to connect with their communities by giving employees time off to volunteer.

“We do feel it’s our corporate responsibility to enrich those communities in which we live and work,” said Amy Braet, AVP of talent management at RLI Insurance.

The insurance company started its volunteer program in 2018 as a way to get more of its employees out in the community.

“That not only helps support our community but that camaraderie among their team here at work as well,” said Braet.

RLI offers one day of paid volunteer time each year, where its employees can dedicate a day or half a day to give back.

Braet adds that it benefits the non-profit organization and the employee.

“It’s also giving the employees that sense of fulfillment by doing something good for their community, and in turn, they’re becoming more engaged and effective employees and RLI is benefitting as a result of that,” said Braet.

She adds that RLI insurance averages 1,500 volunteer hours yearly. As a company, RLI volunteers with JDRF, Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way, and the Salvation Army. The company’s staff can also use the hours to volunteer individually.

Midwest Food Bank is one non-profit company that offers VTO programs and will often go to for service opportunities.

“Companies come in together as a group. I see a lot of fellowship, laughter and enjoyment. Sometimes their competitive nature will come out, and they’ll divide themselves into two and see who can produce more,” said Aimee Beam executive director at the Midwest Food Bank in Normal.

She said while the camaraderie among the team is building, it also assists non-profits in achieving the tasks that need to be done at higher volumes.

“The companies that allow for philanthropy [which] allow bigger groups to come together, and those teams very frequently already know how to work together well, so they can be very efficient volunteers. It helps us push out more work and food for the people who need us because we have those great teams coming in,” said Beam.

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