Sysco Seals Their Partnership with Reaching Out Now with a Financial Contribution

I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

The line from the classic film Casablanca comes to mind upon witnessing the vital connection between two Front Royal presences, Sysco and Reaching Out Now (RON).

Sysco representatives Ervin Armstrong and Karen Peer stand with Reaching Out Now’s president Samantha Barber, who stands between them, about to receive a check for five thousand dollars from them.

They met in 2022 at a junior and senior career fair event where they were both serving young people as those young people explored what they might want to do with their futures. Today, April 4, at 12:15 p.m., Sysco representatives Ervin Armstrong and Karen Peer stood in the newly renovated Raymond E. Santmyers Student Union and Activity Center with Reaching Out Now president Samantha Barber, having presented a check for five thousand dollars to her. The youth center is the culmination of RON’s efforts to reach the young people in this community, and the Sysco team is proud to partner with it. And it is bigger than the money, Barber said. “To have a giant like this come in … not just through funds … but in partnership” is a vote of confidence that touches her deeply.

With a history of instilling leadership qualities in Warren County’s youth through the school system, delivering meals to those in need during the pandemic, and hosting family nights out where families can come for free dinners in school buildings, often in connection with a holiday like Valentine’s Day, RON is preparing for their soft opening at the youth center this month. Barber’s dream is to give students between eighth and twelfth grade a safe place that they can consider their own, where they will come to be fed, develop friendships, and be challenged through programs to consider what they want to do with their futures. This was a walk of faith for Barber, but at every point, her team received exactly what they needed to keep the ball rolling.

“This is not a one-and-done,” Barber said regarding RON’s connection to Sysco. This is a significant step forward in bringing other businesses in Warren County on board to partner for the best future for the county’s youth. Having the help of an organization capable of providing food service is no small blessing. “The youth are our future,” Peer said. “This is going to be a great safe space for high school students to come to and be a part of the community.” She added: “We plan to mentor students, help them with interviewing skills, and hopefully make some bridge between high school and employment at Sysco. We’re the first employer that has stepped up to help so we’re very honored. And we see this as a partnership for years to come.”

Here’s to looking at you, kids.