ECRM Aids Military Families

Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM), a business innovation and technology provider, has teamed up with Operation Interdependence (OI), a nonprofit organization that supports troops serving overseas, military families and veterans.

The two entities coordinated products donated by several companies that attended ECRM's grocery events during late August 2014. Product samples such as bags of chips, rice and other shelf-stable foods were collected and delivered to the VA hospital in Long Beach, Calif. From there, the donations will go to veterans and their families.

"Working with Operation Independence is really icing on the cake at this event," said Sarah Sweitzer, VP of grocery at Solon, Ohio-based ECRM. "It has always been part of ECRM's mission to find ways that we can do our part by giving back to the communities that support our events. Connecting our wonderful suppliers with the great cause that OI supports has been a win-win for all parties involved."

"The VA hospital pantry is very low on food, [so] receiving a large donation like this gives the families a diverse selection of food to take home," noted Agar Yanulaytis, an OI volunteer.

Since 2001, Houston-based OI has donated more than 1 million pounds of goods to 2 million-plus troops worldwide.