Photo above from left: Sandra Moreno Estrada (BakerRipley), Megan Hypolite, Marcus Williams, and Keiara Kearns (Aramark), and Katarina Casas (BakerRipley)
Giving back to help people in the community is its own reward. But it’s also nice to be recognized for it.
Aramark has received the BakerRipley Heart of Houston Volunteer Group of the Year Award for its longtime support of the people and families served by the nonprofit community organization that supports the greater Houston, Texas, area. The award honors an external partner that demonstrated outstanding commitment to volunteerism and community engagement in 2024.
Since 1907, BakerRipley has worked to connect neighbors and communities to necessary resources, education, and opportunity that helps empower them to earn, learn, belong, and be well.
“Aramark has been a dedicated partner in supporting BakerRipley’s programs and the neighbors we serve,” said Katarina Casas, Corporate Relations Manager, BakerRipley. “What sets Aramark apart is their hands-on approach, their readiness to step up when called, and their deep engagement across our centers. Partners like Aramark lead by example—empowering their employees to serve and make a lasting impact in their community.”
BakerRipley, a member of Neighborhood Centers, Inc., has worked with Aramark Building Community since 2007. Aramark volunteers have worked on various projects to help further BakerRipley’s mission, including planting a community garden, painting murals, helping build job skills, and teaching nutrition and cooking classes.
Notably, in 2024 members of Aramark’s Star Team in Houston threw a holiday party for Houston community children and in May volunteers transformed the Gulfton Sharpstown Campus with projects including rebuilding garden beds, painting, and power-washing. This effort significantly enhanced an essential resource, making it an even more welcoming space for more than 60,000 residents a year, according to BakerRipley.
“Being able to work with BakerRipley to make a positive impact within the community is very inspiring,” said Marcus Williams, Director of Concessions – NRG Park, Aramark Sports + Entertainment. “I believe that we as people sometimes forget how fortunate we are and how giving back to the community, in any capacity, can make a difference in someone’s life.”
Williams and other Aramark team members attended a BakerRipley Volunteer Appreciation Celebration April 23 where they were honored with the Heart of Houston Volunteer Group of the Year Award.
