GSF Foundation

Thousands of students across the U.S. are heading back to school ready to learn thanks to the generosity of GSF Foundation volunteers, associates and community partners! This year, 27 GSF Foundation committees funded, packed and distributed 15,300 backpacks filled with essential school supplies, helping remove barriers to learning for children and families in need. 🎒📚

Since 2002, the Back(pack) to School program has provided more than 229,000 backpack kits, helping students start the school year with confidence and the tools they need to succeed. Special thanks to our volunteers, donors and Partnership For Good partners, including Morning Star, for making a difference in communities across the country. ❤️

⬇️ Read the full story at the link below.

Thousands of Students Across the U.S. Go Back(pack) to School, Ready to Learn through Long-Serving GSF Foundation Program Supporting academic readiness for elementary students, the GSF Foundation (GSFF) helped 15,300 children begin the school year prepared and ready to learn through its Back(pack) to School program. Each student receives a backpack filled with essential school supplies, helping remove a financial barri...

"Seeing the excitement and pride on the kids' faces reminded me that our contributions create real impact for our neighbors in need."

For Frank Woodson, one of his most memorable GSF Foundation experiences was volunteering with Los Angeles youth and helping build bikes for children in the community. Moments like these bring the Foundation's mission to life, creating meaningful connections and lasting memories for both volunteers and the children they support.

Thank you, Frank, for giving back where you live and making a difference in your community. ❤️

We appreciate the opportunity for our Golden State Foods volunteers to support hunger relief through your backpack program, Food Bank of East Alabama! 🎒❤️

🎒📚 Helping students start the school year ready to learn!

Thanks to a longstanding partnership between The Morning Star Packing Company and the GSF Foundation, volunteers distributed approximately 450 backpacks filled with school supplies to first-grade students at four Los Banos elementary schools this month. The annual program, now in its 18th year, helps ensure local students have the tools they need for a successful school year.

Year after year, Morning Star's commitment to the Foundation's Back(pack) to School program continues to strengthen local communities by investing in the next generation of learners. ❤️

⬇️ Read more in The Westside Express news story at the link below.


The Morning Star Packing Company - Los Banos Facility

Morning Star supports Los Banos students with annual Backpack Giveaway | The Westside Express Morning Star supports Los Banos students with annual Backpack Giveaway Posted by Amal Marouf | Aug 29, 2026 | Education, Fundraisers/Donations Photo contributed Some of the recipients of the 450 backpacks given away to elementary schools by the Morning Star Packing Company as part of their annual ba...

Thank you to OneOC for bringing business and community leaders together for greater impact and for having our GSF Foundation Chairman and CEO John Page as the keynote speaker during yesterday's Corporate Partnership Summit at Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County! 🤝

John spoke about why community impact is good business and shared how companies can strategically invest in people, trust, and long-term value:

"Doing good and doing well are not competing priorities. The most successful organizations understand that they are mutually reinforcing. The strength of our businesses is directly connected to the strength of the communities we serve. Strong communities create strong businesses."

🎤 MEET THE PANELISTS FOR THE 2026 CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT!

We’re ONE WEEK AWAY from bringing together corporate, nonprofit, and community leaders for an afternoon focused on turning partnerships into meaningful, lasting impact.

With leaders representing companies and organizations across Orange County and beyond, the Summit will explore how businesses can move from transactional giving to transformational impact, creating partnerships that benefit employees, businesses, and the communities they serve.

✨ Meet our Panelists:
Tim Strauch — President & CEO, OneOC
John Page — CAO and Chief Legal Officer, Golden State Foods EVP
Shanda Vangas — VP Corporate Social Responsibility, Corebridge Financial
Tere Segarra — President, Pacific Life Foundation
Sydney Roberts — Talent Specialist, Tarsus Pharmaceuticals
Ann Marie Chock — Sr. Director of Corporate Giving, Niagara Cares l Niagara Bottling
Wayne Stickney — Chief Development Officer, Second Harvest Food Bank
Elizabeth Pianalto — Director, Corporate Responsibility, Experian
Stefaan Poortman — Senior Director, Global Health, Edwards Lifesciences
Taryn Palumbo — Executive Director, Orange County Grantmakers
Rachel Gillette — Vice President, Human Resources, Spyglass Pharma
Chelsea Leonard — Manager, Corporate Communications, Ventura Foods

Come celebrate this year’s honorees, hear from inspiring leaders, and connect with business and community leaders who are committed to building a stronger Orange County.

📅 August 27, 2026
⏰ 1:00–4:30 PM
📍 Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County

👉 Get your tickets: https://981.formstack.com/forms/cps_civic50_oc2026.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County

The Summer 2026 edition of Heartline shines a spotlight on the people, partnerships, and programs creating meaningful impact across our communities. Inside, you'll find:
🚲 Bike programs putting smiles on the faces of 300+ kids
🍎 A milestone: equivalent of one million meals delivered
🤝 New champions making a difference
❤️ Highlights from a successful Burleson Clay Shoot fundraiser
🌟 and grant highlights
📸 A winning snapshot from our latest photo contest

Don’t miss a thing! Subscribe for Heartline updates in your inbox. 💌 gsffoundation.org/contact

Heartline | Summer 2026 Welcome to GSFF's quarterly newsletter!

🚲 More than 300 kids across the country gained confidence, new skills, and unforgettable memories through the Golden State Foods Foundation’s Bike Build and Pedal to Perfection programs this year. From first rides to first experiences using tools, these moments helped children discover what they can achieve. Thank you to all of our participating GSF and Quality Custom Distribution committees! ❤️

🔗 Read the full story at the link below to see the impact.

Building Bikes, Building Confidence: GSF Foundation’s Bike Programs Benefit More Than 300 Kids in 2026 A new bike can inspire independence, adventure, friendship, and confidence in learning new skills. Through the GSF Foundation's Bike Build and Pedal to Perfection programs in 2026, more than 300 children across the country gained not only bikes, but also experiences, encouragement, and a reminder th...

This is what the power of giving looks like. ❤️ Thanks to our Golden State Foods volunteers in Conyers, Georgia, hundreds of local children facing serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges have had the opportunity to experience the magic of camp at Camp Twin Lakes.