How do businesses and nonprofit organizations work together to create lasting change? On June 5, Wills Group invited community partners and team members to explore that question at its Community Engagement Roundtable: Nourishing, Reimagining, and Advancing Communities Together.
Held at our Wills Group headquarters, the event welcomed community leaders from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Feed More, Capital Area Food Bank, and Farming 4 Hunger to discuss some of the region’s most pressing challenges and opportunities across hunger relief, outdoor space revitalization, and watershed preservation. Panelists shared personal stories and fresh ideas, exploring how businesses and nonprofits can work together to better support the communities they serve.
Following the discussion, team members and partners continued conversations during a networking session, laying the groundwork for new ideas and future collaboration.
Addressing Hunger, Clean Water, and Outdoor Spaces Together
The Community Engagement Roundtable conversation centered on the intersection of three areas where Wills Group and our partners are actively working to make a difference: food insecurity, revitalizing community spaces, and watershed protection.
Representatives from each nonprofit partner shared how these issues often overlap — and how partnership helps them address complex needs in a more holistic way. As Bernie Fowler, founder of Farming for Hunger, explained, efforts to feed the community often open doors to broader conversations about youth outreach, second chances, and community healing. His organization provides thousands of pounds of fresh produce for local families and brings together people from all walks of life to serve side by side.
Kate Fritz, CEO of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, spoke about the vital role of watershed preservation in community well-being. “The Chesapeake Bay isn’t just the water you see from the docks — it’s the farms, backyards, and neighborhoods that all connect to it,” she shared. Protecting local waterways means working directly with communities upstream, addressing land use, pollution, and conservation with a grassroots, trust-building approach.
Leaders from Feed More and Capital Area Food Bank emphasized how hunger relief efforts must go beyond simply distributing food. Emily Lauer-Bader of Capital Area Food Bank described how programs like the Family Markets and nutrition education help preserve dignity while providing families with the healthy, culturally relevant food they need to thrive. “We want people to know that if they need support, they can call us and we can help them find resources,” she said.
Each partner underscored the power of working collectively, rather than separately, to create a lasting impact. As Bernie Fowler put it, “We’ve decided we’re going to bring everybody to the table.”
How Wills Group Team Members Help Drive Impact
Throughout the discussion, one theme came up again and again: partnership isn’t limited to financial support. At Wills Group, our team members are directly involved in our community engagement efforts, volunteering their time, lending their expertise, and helping to build meaningful connections with local organizations.
Leaders from the nonprofit partners spoke to the value of these hands-on relationships. Bernie Fowler shared how Wills Group team members have supported Farming for Hunger’s expansion into new locations, including programs at local colleges that make fresh food more accessible to students. “Wills Group didn’t just write a check — they walked beside us,” Fowler said.
Emily Lauer-Bader of Capital Area Food Bank echoed the sentiment. “It’s clear that community engagement isn’t just one person’s job at Wills Group. It’s something employees take pride in throughout the company.” She highlighted how team members have stepped up to participate in programs like Family Markets, which operate directly in schools to provide fresh produce and pantry items for families in need.
Our Wills Group team members also shared how meaningful the volunteer opportunities have been. As senior regional trainer Allison Harris reflected, “You get back more than you give. It’s powerful to see the projects come to life and to know you played a small part in that impact.”
Laying the Groundwork for Deeper Collaboration
As the event wrapped up, one thing was clear: meaningful community impact doesn’t happen in isolation. The Roundtable highlighted how ongoing dialogue, trust, and collaboration between businesses and nonprofits can spark new ideas and expand what’s possible.
Panelists were asked about barriers to meeting service goals in light of recent state and federal funding cuts. This prompted an honest discussion about how community needs are growing and challenges are becoming more complex. On a hopeful note, our partners expressed a strong desire for increased collaboration, creative solutions, and greater involvement from companies like Wills Group.
Kate Fritz, CEO of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, emphasized the value of flexibility and shared vision. “We don’t do this work alone. It’s about meeting partners where they are, listening to community needs, and building trust so we can move forward together.”
Brandon Fisher, an area manager with Wills Group, echoed that perspective from the employee side. “We have a voice in how we impact the communities we live and work in. It’s not just about making donations…it’s about being involved and finding new ways to serve.”
The Roundtable conversation continues to fuel Wills Group’s long-term approach to corporate social responsibility. As we expand into new markets and deepen our community engagement programs, events like this help strengthen partnerships and open doors for future collaboration. Together, team members and partners are finding new ways to nourish, reimagine, and advance the communities they call home.
