Business Luncheons Donations for Oregon Food Bank

Online, December 23, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Commerce Concepts, a series of educational presentations for employers and HR professionals, raised $750 and 116 pounds of non-perishable food items to be donated to the Oregon Food Bank (OFB). The contributions were gathered through the five events held in 2009.
Hosted and organized annually by The Commerce Company, the Commerce Concepts luncheons began in 2002, but this was the first year that the seminars benefitted a non-profit organization. "We are a busy office and at times we close early to spend an afternoon volunteering, but it's not always easy to get away," said Jed Schlanger, President of The Commerce Company. "We started thinking of how we could further support local non-profits doing what we always do as part of our everyday business."
Schlanger says that many guests expressed their support for the initiative, and that one impressed guest even asked for pointers on implementing a similar fundraiser and food drive with her own company. He says, "We're happy that the plan was a success, and we hope to increase the amount raised next year."
The Commerce Company was founded in Portland in 1995 and provides corporate retirement and investment planning for small to mid-sized businesses throughout the Northwest. An independent registered investment advisor, The Commerce Company also has a wealth management office in Tacoma, Washington. Securities are offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA /SIPC. Jed Schlanger is a branch manager with RJFS.