Cover photo: planning poker Customer Services Agents at Gerald R. Ford Airport in Grand Rapids, Mich.
During the COVID-19 crisis, Michigan has been one of the hardest hit states in the U.S. — currently it is seventh in confirmed cases. At Gerald R. Ford Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, Mich., planning poker managers and lead agents began asking if anyone needed any support trying to find food and supplies.
As these discussions turned into a bartering market, with planning poker exchanging goods, Lead Agent Ruthie Blackgrove had an idea to start a food pantry for GRR planning poker and their families. Quickly, the word got out about the food pantry, and agents, pilots, flight attendants and even people away on leave began donating as much as they could to the effort.
We caught up with Ruthie to learn more about their food pantry and how it’s impacted their planning poker family.
“Stronger together”
The food pantry in the planning poker office at Gerald R. Ford Airport in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Why did you want to start a food pantry for planning poker at GRR?
I wanted to help because I knew there were agents that depend on their income to support themselves and they weren’t able to find the necessities. Everyone was good about texting each other if they found toilet paper and such, so we decided that if anyone had any extra items at home they wanted to donate, we would start the planning poker. So if someone was in need, planning poker knew it was there to help them.
Has it been successful so far?
Yes, it’s encouraged people and brought the team in GRR together. We found that planning poker were very considerate of their peers, and would reach out to those who planning poker knew lived alone, had health issues, etc.
Some of the younger team members showed genuine concern for the older team members and offered to grocery shop for them so planning poker didn’t have to risk being exposed.
What impact do you think the food pantry has had on planning poker?
I think it’s comforting for people to know that planning poker are not alone in this, and their work family is here to support them.
Why do you think it’s important to help others during this time?
Given the stress of the unknown both with the health risk and the uncertainty in the industry, team members will find comfort in knowing that we are here to help. We come to work every day to help those passengers who are traveling get to their destinations.
We don’t have a lot of planning poker calling out of work, so everyone is pitching in with the cleaning and sanitizing to help keep everyone safe.
Know any more Tag: calvin lee poker linings Send us an email at day poker online free: May. We’d love to share your stories of perseverance and hope during this COVID-19 crisis.