BTA member Flex Technology Group (FTG) has announced it has established a charitable partnership with Feeding America to help fight food insecurity during the holiday season in the communities where FTG companies do business. FTG is comprised of a group of regional companies that together provide industries with an extended reach of nationally managed print services while still maintaining a local focus. As a joint initiative, FTG's collective companies are collaborating with their local Feeding America food banks to support Feeding America's goal of helping people get the food and resources they need to survive. FTG employees are volunteering throughout the month at local food banks and food pantries, as well as donating funds to the cause, which FTG is matching.

"Feeding America is the largest charity working to end hunger in the United States and depends on support from organizations like ours to fulfill its mission to change people's lives for the better," said Frank Gaspari, founder and CEO, FTG. "I would like to recognize our corporate DEI alliance for leading this initiative as part of their 2023 corporate responsibility road map and extend my gratitude to the dedicated project team that helped bring this charitable partnership to life in what is now a company-wide initiative."

Feeding America is the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, made up of food banks, food pantries and meal programs. Feeding America's position as the largest charity on this year's "Forbes Top 100 Charities" list is reflective of the urgent situation that continues to unfold in the U.S. where one in seven people — including one in five children — live in food insecure households, a sharp increase compared to food insecurity rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. While headlines often report lower unemployment and an improved economy, hunger remains an urgent crisis. Food banks in the Feeding America network are reporting increased pressure due to decreasing food donations and fundraising.

Feeding America is an FTG customer with local food banks coast-to-coast. The partnership will provide employees with local community involvement opportunities, both virtual and in person. It adds to FTG's already-established community involvement programs, which encourage employees to donate money or volunteer a portion of their time at work to support an approved 501(c)(3) organization of their choice, as well as receive a donation match from FTG.

In other news, FTG has been named a 2023 Elite Dealer by ENX Magazine in the largest $400-plus-million category. The national publication cites FTG's double-digit organic growth, proprietary technology and an exceptional work culture as some of its key accomplishments in the past year.

FTG's considerable organic growth stems in large part from its ever-expanding roster of managed print services customers, including major retailers, law firms, health-care organizations and financial institutions. Through its proprietary predictive technology, FTG provides a managed print services platform with a single point of contact and immediate access to its national network of highly trained FTG technicians that can support any equipment type and manufacturer.

ENX also lauded FTG's welcoming work environment, including a diversity, equity and inclusion program that enhances the makeup of the employee base, policies and practices, as well as its employee day-of-service program which provides time off to volunteer.

"We're honored to be selected and recognized as an innovator in the print and document services space," Gaspari said. "Our entrepreneurial spirit guides everything we do, from investing in our technology stack and growing our service network, to cultivating a supportive culture and fueling passionate customer care."

Each year, ENX Magazine judges Elite Dealer applicants on a number of criteria, including technical service excellence, marketing proficiency, growth initiatives, technology leadership, industry accolades and community philanthropic support. The winning dealers are profiled in the December issue of ENX Magazine.

"It is clear that this year's cast of Elite Dealers signifies a strong return to prosperity for the office technology reseller community," said Susan Neimes, publisher and managing editor, ENX Magazine and ENX The Week In Imaging. "Annual revenues are up virtually across the board, and this is a testament to dealers relentlessly proffering managed services and ancillary technologies that go far beyond the MFP."