By Payton Tholstrup

Three employers in Kansas have won the fourth annual Give Back Kansas Challenge. The challenge was created to promote employee-supported volunteering across the state. Sixteen businesses participated in the challenge this year and were categorized by their size. The winners are as follows:

Small Organization: Flint Hills Volunteer Center, Manhattan

Medium Organization: Bethel Life Center, Wichita

Large Organization: Cloud County Government, Concordia

The challenge began on April 1st and ended on May 31st, 2024. During the challenge, 3,117 employees contributed a total of 6,232 volunteer hours across various organizations in Kansas. The total contribution of this year’s challenge was $185,028.

“The Give Back Kansas Challenge is a win-win-win-win. Participating employees experience personal fulfillment, businesses strengthen their community presence, organizations receive vital volunteer support, and nonprofits receive much-needed monetary support through grants to advance their missions,” Nola Brown, Executive Director of Volunteer Kansas, said.

Each of the winning employers designated a nonprofit to receive a $1,000 grant from Volunteer Kansas.

Flint Hills Volunteer Center will use the grant to enhance its volunteer program.

Bethel Life Center selected Hope Wichita, which is an organization that provides groceries, backpacks, and school supplies to around 14,000 families each year.

Cloud County Government chose to support Concordia Lions Club for the second year in a row. The grant will help their Cloud County Community Suppers Program, which provides free meals on the first two Wednesdays of every month.

“Although the Challenge has concluded, the Commission urges participating employers to maintain their strong dedication to volunteerism. Studies on employer volunteer programs indicate they significantly enhance employee engagement, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and retention,” Dr. Jessica Dorsey, executive director of the Kansas Volunteer Commission, said.