Church Mutual’s mission to give back is in its roots. Backed with Church Mutual funding, a shed full of garden tools and a small army of employee volunteers, Church Mutual will grow produce this summer to help feed disadvantaged families in the Merrill area.
This first-of-its-kind garden for Church Mutual will be tilled on the campus of its headquarters on Schuster Lane and planted by members of the Employees Association in early June. The harvest will go to the Merrill Food Pantry.
The green thumbs at Church Mutual couldn’t be more excited to start digging in the dirt for such a worthy cause.
“Church Mutual is built on service to its customers and community, and though we have grown to be a large national player in the insurance industry, we very much remain in touch with our hometown roots,” said Rich Poirier, president and CEO of Church Mutual. “Growing produce for our local families and food pantries gives us a great sense of community, as well as a strong connection to the environment.”
Church Mutual has named the garden the Daib and Fehland Founders Garden as a nod to its founders, Rev. Herman Daib and H.R. Fehland. Daib, who was a pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church, was the company’s first policyholder and third president. Fehland, once a city mayor and hardware store owner, was the company’s first president.
Church Mutual also will open garden plots to its employees so they can grow produce for other local food pantries or their own families.
“Along with our mission to give back to the communities in which we work and live, we want to support our employees in their efforts to live a healthier lifestyle,” said Angela Bailey, vice president of human resources.