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Active in all 50 states, any industry imaginable, and every community we serve, American employers from 5 to 5,000 people trust us for Payroll, HR, Time and Talent needs. Today, we’re one of the nation’s most innovative, customer-focused, and respected workforce management firms.

We offer strategic partnerships designed to enhance the operational efficiency of businesses by integrating payroll, HR, and benefits administration into a single, user-friendly platform. Our partnerships provide clients with access to industry-leading support and innovative solutions tailored to meet their unique needs.
At Dominion Payroll, we empower businesses across diverse industries with tailored solutions that drive efficiency and growth. Our solutions are crafted to support payroll, time management, benefits, talent acquisition, and HR processes. Whether you're looking to simplify administrative tasks or improve strategic decision-making, our solutions are here to support you every step of the way.

2 min read

From Friday Lunches to Community Impact: Our Richmond Office’s Newest Initiative

Laura Lonergan : Dec 12, 2025 8:00:00 AM

Community Workplace Culture

At Dominion Payroll, Friday isn’t just the end of the workweek, it’s a day that celebrates one of our most cherished traditions: Friday lunch. Every week, our team gathers in the community room for a cateredA group of people gathered around a buffet table filled with various dishes, serving food onto their plates in a modern dining space. meal, taking a break from our screens and daily tasks to connect with teammates, share laughs, and celebrate the week. This tradition brings out the best in our company culture and strengthens our sense of community.

But over time, we noticed something important: sometimes there’s more food than we can eat. While employees are welcome to take leftovers home, there are still occasions when extra meals remain, which contributes to unnecessary food waste.

 

 

Why Food Waste Matters

Food waste isn’t just a missed meal; it’s a missed opportunity to support our neighbors, help those experiencing food insecurity, and protect the environment.

Across the United States:

  • About 31% of all food produced goes unsold or uneaten every year, and 85% of that surplus ends up in landfills, while only a small fraction is donated. (ReFED)

  • In 2023, an estimated 47 million Americans lived in food-insecure households, including nearly 14 million children who struggled to access sufficient food. (USDA Economic Research Service)

  • During the holidays, Americans generate about 25% more waste than the rest of the year, with Thanksgiving alone contributing 316–320 million pounds of uneaten food, enough to provide millions of meals to those in need. (ReFED)

Even in communities that appear thriving, food insecurity quietly affects millions. These numbers remind us that food is more than nourishment, it’s a basic human need, and neighbors in our own cities are struggling to meet it.

 

Turning Leftovers into Good

In preparation for a recent snowstorm, fewer people were in the office, leaving more leftover food than usual. A couple of our teammates jumped into action, deciding to use the leftovers to make BBQ sandwiches they planned to hand out to those in need in the neighboring areas. In doing so, they were reminded of a powerful local resource: RVA Community Fridges, mutual aid-powered fridges scattered throughout Richmond where neighbors can both give and take food freely.

Mutual aid goes beyond charity; it’s about sharing abundance, fostering resilience, and building stronger community connections.

 

Our New Initiative

Inspired by this event, our Richmond team has decided to turn leftover food into our newest initiative.

Going forward:

  • Team members bring reusable food storage containers to package any leftover Friday lunch items.

  • Meals will then be delivered to Richmond community fridges, providing access to fresh, ready-to-eat food for neighbors in need.

This initiative transforms extra food from potential waste into warm meals and meaningful support for our community.

 

A Call to Action: At Work and at Home

We’re proud of our team’s creativity and compassion, and we hope this program inspires others. With the holiday season approaching, a time of extra gatherings, treats, and gift-giving, it’s worth asking:

  • How much food might go unused at your company or family events?

  • How can you plan meals and manage leftovers to reduce waste?

  • What small actions today could make a big impact tomorrow?

Whether you’re running a company, hosting a holiday dinner, or simply being mindful at home, reducing food waste is something we can all contribute to. By donating leftovers or sharing extra meals, we can help fight food insecurity and support those less fortunate.

 

In Gratitude and Going Forward Together

We’re grateful to work with a team that consistently comes up with inventive ways to give back, and we’re excited to see how this initiative grows.

If your company hasn’t yet addressed food waste intentionally, consider this your invitation to start! And personally, with the holidays around the corner, think twice before throwing food away, that extra meal could be someone’s next dinner instead of the next item in a landfill.

For those in the Richmond area, visit RVA Community Fridges  to find a local fridge near you. If you’re outside Richmond, look for similar programs in your city, as many communities have mutual aid fridges or food-sharing initiatives where extra meals can make a real difference.