Founder's Day of Caring at 22News

22 News is a part of Nextar Media Group, the largest local television company in the United States, and today we're observing Nextar's Founders Day of Caring. 22 News reporter Nick Antonakis is live in our Mass Appeals studio with a live look at how we're giving back to the Western Massachusetts community. Julia, that's right. The mission here at 22 News today is make over 1000 sandwiches to support three Western Mass nonprofits that are all fighting back against hunger here at home. Our parent company's founder, chairman and CEO Perry Suk, established the company's Founders Day of Caring back in 2016, meaning we're celebrating its 10 year anniversary today. And speaking of anniversaries, Nextar itself is celebrating its 30 year anniversary since it being founded in 1996. Every year during the third week of June, employees in each of Nextar's 117 television markets work with nonprofit organizations and public service agencies in their local communities. Our volunteers have been setting up for the day since six o'clock this morning, donating their time and sandwich making abilities to help fight back against hunger in our community. The three nonprofits we're supporting are Providence Ministries, Rachel's Table and the Rescue Mission. I spoke with representatives from Providence Ministries this morning about what these efforts mean to them. Well, it's extremely impactful. Um, you know, probably for the needy. We operate largely on donors and volunteers. So something like this really helps us meet the needs and the needs are growing. So far, we've cracked our goal of 1000 sandwiches here, and we're still pushing on from the Mass Appeal studio this afternoon. So get inspired, try and help someone in your community and pass on a good message to everyone you know, working for you. Nick Antonakis 22 News.