IVD2025: GCCA Members Serving In Their Communities

Celebrating 2025 International Volunteer Day in the Cold Chain

International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2025 is a global observance established by the UN General Assembly in 1985 to celebrate the power of volunteerism. IVD is a day to celebrate volunteers everywhere and to champion the spirit of volunteerism — locally, nationally, and globally — and shine a spotlight on the power of people-led solutions tackling shared challenges.

In the United States, GCCA members like Agile Cold Storage, Americold, Lineage, United States Cold Storage, and others all give back to their communities in various ways, including packing meal kits, hygiene kits, and Thanksgiving boxes; spending time at local food banks, and supporting charitable organizations like Feed the Children and the American Diabetes Association. At this year’s GCCA Convention in September, attendees volunteered at the San Antonio Food Bank, packing produce for local families.

“Since 2021, USCS’s ‘Connect for a Cause’ (CFC) campaign has linked co-workers nationwide with meaningful local causes,” says Paige Salvador, US Cold HR Manager, Employee Experience. “In five years, the program has raised awareness, generated thousands of volunteer hours, and donated nearly $1.3 million, with more than $2 million contributed since 2019.”

In August, Interchange Group volunteered at the Rockingham County Fair, where their team escorted senior citizens through the fairgrounds, ensuring they could enjoy the sights, sounds, and experiences of this beloved community event.

“For the past 10 years, our team has looked forward to this annual event to strengthen bonds and demonstrate the values that define our organization: care, collaboration, and community. As we celebrate International Volunteer Day, we honor not only the volunteers who make these moments possible but also the enduring impact of service in building a better, more connected world,” said Corialise Pence with Interchange.

In Latin America and Brazil, companies like Emergent Cold and Icestar support food banks and participate in other volunteer opportunities. Emergent noted “Our employees regularly participate in volunteer activities at regional food banks that are part of the Global Food Banking Network. In addition, we promote International Volunteer Day each year with simultaneous activities across the 11 countries where we operate. On October 15, 2025, 120 volunteers supported food banks in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay.”

In other regions like Africa and Europe members stay connected to their communities by hosting student visits, collaborating with local universities, and supporting food waste reduction initiatives.

When individuals take action, communities thrive and progress accelerates. Did your organization give back in 2025? Learn more about the work of the Global Cold Chain Foundation here, and tag your story with #ColdChainGivesBack on your social media platforms.  Thank you to all our members and cold chain professionals doing good around the globe! #WeAretheColdChain