Houstonian Joe Sreshta Donates $10,000 to Houston Food Bank through Northwestern Mutual Foundation
By Hussain Mandviwala
Last Updated: July 25, 2008

Joe Sreshta (second from left) financial representative, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, presents a $10,000 check to the Houston Food Bank during the recent KHOU-TV Channel 11 Spirit of Texas Food Drive. Brian Greene (left), Pres and CEO, Houston Food Bank; Jeff D. Reeter, CLU, managing partner, Texas Financial Groupand Lucy Noland, anchor, Channel 11.

MILWAUKEE: The Northwestern Mutual Foundation announced today that Joe Sreshta, from Houston has been recognized as an “Outstanding Volunteer” in the company’s national Community Service Award program. As a result, the Foundation will present a $10,000 grant in Sreshta’s name to the Houston Food Bank.

Twenty-five winners across the United States were named in the annual competition that honors representatives for their outstanding service and involvement in their communities. Through the program, which is funded by the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, a total of $265,000 will be donated to various nonprofit organizations selected by each of the winners.

“At Northwestern Mutual we believe being a responsible corporate citizen includes giving back to the communities where we do business, “ said Ed Zore, president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Mutual. “Our Community Service Award program helps us achieve two goals. We recognize our representatives for their community involvement, and we help improve the quality of life in the communities our representatives serve.”

Sreshta will be presented with the Community Service Award during Northwestern Mutual’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at the company’s headquarters in Milwaukee.

“Many people believe that hunger only happens in other parts of the world,” Sreshta explained. “The Houston Food Bank – and the community and church-supported food pantries that it supplies – are all that stands between hunger and a half million of our neighbors right here in Houston . Because the majority of the food we distribute is provided free by the government or corporations, cash contributions are the lifeblood of the Houston Food Bank. For every dollar we receive, we can provide $6.00 worth of food, making the contribution we are receiving from the Northwestern Mutual Foundation worth $60,000 to needy people in our community. I am gratified that I can help make a difference.”