It's a Perfect Time to Be a Corporate Do-Gooder

It can be hard to know when to be a do-gooder, especially for soulless corporations.

No one really expects corporations, businesses and other inanimate objects to have a real heart. But in times like these, it's a perfect time for them to do the right thing.

Now and Then

During the government shutdown, hundreds of thousands of people were in survival mode. Living no-paycheck-to-paycheck, it was the worst of times.

Throughout the country, however, many organizations stepped up to help those who were held down. In San Francisco, for example, a food bank delivered.

San Francisco-Marin Food Bank brought loads of food to Coast Guard families who were crushed by the shutdown. They received potatoes, orange, bananas, chickens, chicken noodle soup, pasta, and more.

Kristy Martin, one family helper, said it was huge "how people really came together." Mark Seelig, public relations manager for the food bank, said "if there was ever a Hollywood moment for food banks, this was it."

Purpose Driven

A food bank is a natural do-gooder, but what about a tech company? A furniture company?? A law firm???

Lane Office, an office furniture company, joined the Coalition for the Homeless in New York City. The organization speaks for itself, but President Gregory Burke spoke about the corporate sponsorship program there.

"If you want to feel good about helping people in New York, this is the way to feel good," he said.

Not only do corporations give, they get good public relations. Burke said he drove around the city in a van -- with his company logo -- to deliver relief.

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