We're passionate about our team and think the One Source Reps family is extra special. It's just a little feeling we all get when walking through the doors; the passion for food and foodservice is undeniable from every single person, as well as the desire for awareness and education. We also understand our industry is pretty niche (while vast in size.) That's why the entire team at One Source is dedicated to being actively involved in our community because we love all things Philly.
Who is One Source?
The Philadelphia area is vast and diverse. It represents a culture that is undeniable and a history that is spectacular. The food and beverage scene in Philly is impressive and attracts food-savvy tourists from around the world. We recognize and appreciate the importance of the word community.
Our team is dedicated to making a difference and impacting our community positively. Individually, we represent and support many different organizations, and our passion projects sometimes mix in with our "work" projects. The most obvious way is through monetary support. We know that donating to non-profits can have a huge impact on their operating costs, capital improvements, and missions. Outside of financially supporting community organizations, many of the One Source Reps dedicate "sweat equity" and join the front lines at local events, fundraisers, and committees.
Why is it important for us to talk about who we are and the causes we support? Because we believe it's important for our customers to know our values, to know who you're working with, and to know what we stand for as both individuals and a company. We also want to highlight those great organizations in which we're involved, as though we can sometimes connect their work to foodservice, what they do is so often much more important.
So let's get to it. Here's who we are and what we stand for...
Neil Inverso: President & CEO
Over the past 10 years, Neil has been actively involved in financial support for the Building a Bridge to Uganda Foundation. Over the previous years, Neil has sponsored many endeavors, such as replenishing the community's chicken population after a devastating round of bird flu, as well as sponsoring the community children in buying them all shoes.
Building a Bridge to Uganda officially began in 2007 when the first group of missionaries from Philadelphia stepped foot on Ugandan soil and fell in love with the people of Uganda. Building a Bridge to Uganda is a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation and 501(c)(3) organization. Each year, since 2007, a group has traveled to Uganda on behalf of Building a Bridge to Uganda. They have been assisting parents with school tuition for their children’s education, assisting the religious sisters who care for orphaned children at Ibanda Babies Home, and remaining open to other needs of the community. You can learn more about the work that Building a Bridge to Uganda does by visiting their website, or if you'd like to join Neil and get involved yourself, click here.
Nina Inverso: VP of Technology
If you know Nina, you immediately know that she loves two things: animals and surfing. In the past, Nina has financially given to the Surfrider Foundation. She donates her time and efforts locally at the Saved Me Animal Rescue Center as a volunteer dog walker.
Saved Me Rescue is a non-profit organization that focuses on saving dogs from shelters that are forced to euthanize due to limited amount of space. They provide quality medical care, shelter, food, and a safe & healthy environment for all their rescues- as well as unlimited snuggles and pets. There are a variety of ways that you can get involved with Saved Me Rescue that range from adopting a new beloved pet yourself, or donating money for supplies, or even helping at one of their local events. To learn more, visit their website.
Jennifer Lees: Marketing & Business Development
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Jennifer loves animals (and also her own dog-kid named Piper) and has financially given to the ASPCA for many years. During college, Jennifer was involved in her sorority Alpha Phi. Since graduation, she has volunteered her time and energy at many sorority events with the Alpha Phi Foundation.
Alpha Phi Foundation advances women’s lives through the power of philanthropy, funding empowering Fraternity leadership programming, life-changing scholarships and assistance grants, cutting-edge women’s heart health research, and critical heritage preservation. To learn more about programs or events that the Alpha Phi Foundation is involved in, please visit their website here.
Peter Pappas: Outside Sales
Fun Peter fact: he used to play for Kixx Soccer. One of his former teammates named Adam started a local Philadelphia Non-Profit called Philly ReStart. It made sense for Peter to get involved, as friendship and playing on a team go hand-in-hand.
Philly Restart is a local Philadelphia charity. Founded by Adam Bruckner, a former Kixx soccer player, Philly Restart meets on Philadelphia's Ben Franklin Parkway every Monday (rain or shine) to distribute food and help the homeless obtain identification so they can move forward in life. They've been active and literally feeding the homeless and in-need community of Philly since 2002. To learn more or get involved yourself, please visit their website.
Steph Walters: Inside Sales
Stephanie feels passionate about donating to America's Veterans. She has been involved financially with the Gary Sinise Foundation for quite a while. She also supports Mission 22 by purchasing items from their Valhalla Project.
The Gary Sinise Foundation has a variety of ways they make a change for America's disabled veterans, whether that be through home assistance, counseling and grief relief, outreach and education, or even outreach for current first responders. To learn more, visit their website.
Peter Mercado: Corporate Chef
Food is important to Chef Peter, and his philanthropic involvement with Action Against Hunger makes sense, given his passion and also his big heart.
Action Against Hunger is a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger. They save the lives of malnourished children. They ensure everyone can access clean water, food, training, and healthcare. They enable entire communities to be free from hunger. Last year alone, Action Against Hunger served more than 25 million people in nearly 50 countries. To learn more about their programs or get involved, visit their website here.
Mike Steil: Outside Sales
We didn't intentionally hire a team of animal lovers, but it seems that we all have a common theme. Mike is involved with the local ASPCA Chapter in Philadelphia and has given his time and money to ensure that animals are loved and cared for.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) was the first humane society to be established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world. Their organization was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans and must be protected under the law. To learn more about the ASPCA, visit their website directly. (We promise they don't have Sheryl McLaughlin songs on loop.)
Deb Jardine: Inside Sales
Deb Jardine wants everyone to know what a devastating diagnosis of multiple sclerosis can mean and has been involved with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society financially for quite some time.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society first began in the 1940's by a woman who was impacted directly with MS through watching her brother's diagnosis. On March 11, 1946, Ms. Lawry, a young woman without a scientific background, gathered 20 of the nation's most prominent research scientists and medical experts and founded what would become the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Her passion and perseverance launched a movement that has led to more breakthroughs than the world has seen for any other neurological disease. To learn more about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, visit their website.
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