Voices

KPMG's local Tree Planting partnership bears fruit

KPMG teamed up with the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation and local San Antonio residents May 4 to plant about 100 fruit trees in two housing development orchards operated by the San Antonio Housing Authority.

The volunteers and community members planted the trees in the Springview neighborhood to provide nutritious fruit and improve the environment.

"We are particularly excited about the fruit tree planting because it engages our people and their families and friends in a hands-on project that supports our commitment to protecting and improving the environment and the communities in which we do business," said Joseph McLauchlan, managing partner of KPMG's San Antonio office, in a statement. "We look forward to our work having a positive, long-lasting impact on the Springview community."

As a program sponsor for the fruit tree orchard, KPMG donated $6,000 and 30 volunteers to purchase and plant the trees as part of its environmental responsibility program Living Green. The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation also had assistance from SAHA, city of San Antonio and United Way volunteers, and will continue to provide horticultural training and host aftercare workshops for residents and SAHA residents and staff to care for the orchard.

"The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation is honored to partner with environmentally conscious businesses such as KPMG to bring fruit tree nutrition and environmental benefits to low-income residents in San Antonio," stated FTPF executive director Cem Akin.

"Thanks to the partnerships of KPMG and The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, SAHA continues to equip and empower our residents to live healthy lives and improve their quality of life," stated SAHA President and CEO Lourdes Castro Ramirez. "It's activities like these that increase the physical activity of our residents, promote behavior change and improve their nutrition."

 

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