Giving back isn’t just a part of what we do; it’s a part of who we are.

Our company was founded more than three generations ago, long before the term “Corporate Social Responsibility” was coined. From day one, we knew serving our communities was simply the right thing to do. At Pepper, we don’t see giving back as just our responsibility; it’s a part of who we are. We roll up our sleeves to address local environmental issues; we give of our time to serve local students and educators; and we actively support and serve local organizations working tirelessly to provide food and other basic human needs. You see, when you truly care about the people in the communities you call home, finding tangible ways to show it comes naturally.

Environment

Education

Human Needs

Take Me to the River!

For the seventh year in a row, the Pepper Ohio team waded into the Little Miami River, pulling empty canoes that became filled with debris from the river and its banks. Each year Pepper employees and family members turn hard work into fun, as they remove scrap metal, tires, hot water tanks and some other surprising debris.

Fighting Hunger With a “CAN Do” Attitude

The Greater Chicago Food Depository is striving to end hunger in our community and we’re determined to help. The team from Pepper Illinois has long supported their hard work, including active participation in “Canstruction Chicago,” a unique competition where teams create incredible structures using canned goods, all while fighting hunger. This year, Pepper was one of 20 teams from local architecture, engineering and construction firms to participate. After the event, all canned goods used in the structures were donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, providing nearly 60 tons of food for the Greater Chicago Food Depository to deploy to families throughout the area.

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Pepper team member Tony Smaniotto helps lead an annual fundraising event on behalf of the Chicago Food Depository. The Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards Dinner brings together Chicago’s top architects, brokers, developers, property managers, interior contractors and design professionals to celebrate outstanding achievements and support the Food Depository. The event has raised over $1,200,000 to date, providing more than 3.6 million meals for our hungry neighbors.

The “Brown Bag Challenge” is a fun way to get entire organizations involved in the fight against hunger. In this behind-the-scenes video, “Tony and the Brown Bags” show our industry their fun side.

Investing in the Next Generation

Across our company, Pepper employees selflessly give of their time and talent to invest in the next generation. Click on the images below to see just a sampling of the important initiatives our team is supporting on behalf of the students in our communities.

Pepper Illinois employees support WITS (“Working in the Schools”) and their belief that “empowering students as readers will build communities of lifelong learners.”

Working in the Schools
The project team at Indiana’s Community Hospital East (CHE) Campus Redevelopment recently hosted TeenWorks, a program that teaches and empowers teens to achieve excellence in college, their careers and their communities. We had the opportunity to show these students firsthand what a career in construction can mean and what it's like to be on the jobsite.

TeenWorks
From mentoring programs to jobsite tours to internships, Pepper is committed to investing in tomorrow’s leaders. This summer, the Pepper Indiana team hosted three high school interns at the Community Hospital East Campus Redevelopment, giving them an up-close look at our industry.

Internships
Pepper Indiana is proud to support the Junior Achievement BizTown mission. This year we partnered with JA by donating the renovation of their educational space to reflect a modern, 21st century factory.

Junior Achievement Indiana
Rachel Krueger and Kristen Erickson, from the Pepper Illinois Technical Services team, recently participated in a local “Girls in Engineering Math & Science Conference,” an opportunity for girls from 6th through 8th grade to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Girls in Engineering Math & Science
Pepper Ohio employees have long supported Junior Achievement with their time and expertise. “We know the children are our future, and the JA mission is why Pepper has supported their programs for the past decade.”

Junior Achievement Ohio
At Pepper, we value higher education and support students wishing to pursue degrees in construction management. The team at Pepper Ohio has participated in speaking engagements and jobsite tours at colleges and universities such as The Ohio State University, Columbus State Community College, University of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University.

College Support
Pepper Ohio employees contribute over 600 volunteer hours per year to their local Boy Scouts of America Council, helping the organization toward its mission “to help young people build character, act as responsible citizens, and develop personal fitness.”

Boy Scouts

Photography: Bob Cholke Photography

Videography: Spotted Yeti Media