Extra Space Storage Inc., a publicly traded self-storage real estate investment trust (REIT) and third-party management firm, raised more than $22,000 for Utah Food Bank (UFB) in December through a one-week virtual drive. The 500-plus employees who work at the company’s Salt Lake City headquarters and call center used UFB’s online tool to fill a virtual shopping cart with donations valued at $12,000. The REIT then matched the gift, according to a press release.
Though Extra Space employees typically host an in-person food drive during the holidays, they pivoted to the virtual platform, as most of them are now working from home. “We had no idea how participation would be in the new format,” said McKall Morris, the REIT’s communications manager. “Originally, we set our donation goal at $5,000; but within a day, we had surpassed that! It’s incredible to see how generous the team is. We’re very pleased to be able to support the Utah Food Bank’s efforts this year.”
Founded in 1904, UFB works with a statewide network of 203 partner agencies to provide food distribution statewide. Last year, it delivered 44.1 million meals.
“As our communities in Utah make changes to schools, events and services in response to the coronavirus crisis, we have already seen that hunger has increased exponentially,” said Ginette Bott, CEO and president of UFB. “Extra Space Storage’s donation will provide the equivalent of 91,000 meals for Utahns facing hunger. Thanks to the support of groups like them and so many others in the community, we can continue to meet the increased need head-on.”
Extra Space owns or operates 1,900 self-storage properties in 40 states; Washington, D.C.; and Puerto Rico. The company’s properties comprise approximately 1.4 million units and 147.5 million square feet of rentable space.
