Change Makers | The Zidian Group

BOARDMAN, Ohio — Giving back is in the sauce at The Zidian Group.

As a family-owned business, The Zidian Group is aware of the challenges that households face in providing their families with a good work/life balance, says Michelle Gross, director of human resources. Zidian supports the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, which provides the resources and programs to address those challenges, she says.

“We believe philanthropy is a driver of cultural change,” Gross says. “And it really is the seed to developing and growing a community.”

Other causes Zidian supports include Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army, as well as, fittingly, a number of area spaghetti dinners. Zidian, which operates Summer Garden Foods – the maker of Gia Russa products – and Aqua Pazzo restaurant has donated pasta and sauce to United Way’s Saturday of Caring, for which its employees also volunteer.

“I think the success of the community involves employees, it involves anyone who can contribute and help,” she says. “We believe our success as a company is also the success of the families who work for us. And it helps promote a better community.”

Watch the rest of Gross’ interview above.

Pictured: In her interview with Roxann Sebest, United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Michelle Gross commends the employees at The Zidian Group of companies, because “they want to give back too, and we couldn’t do it without everyone in our company.”

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.