OPENLANE celebrates its anniversary; helps those in need
KAR chief strategy officer Don Gottwald, OPENLANE cofounder and KAR president Peter Kelly, and Amy Carlson of OPENLANE present check to Dave Richins of United Food Bank. Photo courtesy of KAR.
Peter Kelly says OPENLANE, a business unit of KAR Auction Services, is celebrating its 20th anniversary and sharing its success by helping the cause of the United Food Bank of Mesa, Ariz.
“We’re honored to commemorate our landmark anniversary and share our success by contributing to their efforts to alleviate hunger and poverty,” said Kelly, who is president of KAR and a co-founder of OPENLANE, an upstream remarketing platform for OEM, captive finance, financial institutions and fleet customers.
OPENLANE has donated $10,000 to the food bank in honor of its anniversary and National Hunger Action Day, which was on Thursday. Also during the company’s day of service on Wednesday, more than 400 OPENLANE employees packed 2,400 bags of food for the food bank.
KAR said in a news release that United Food Bank provides hunger relief to residents of the East Valley and eastern Arizona. United Food Bank distributed almost 24 million pounds of food last year, which provided nearly 19.5 million meals.
United Food Bank is a member of the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks, which secures and distributes 4.3 billion meals each year. Feeding America’s distribution of those meals takes place through U.S. food pantries and meal programs, and according to KAR, Feeding America is a nationwide leader in efforts to fight hunger.
Also in celebration of its 20-year anniversary, OPENLANE has planned a similar event in October at the company’s technology and innovation hub in Toronto, Ontario.
“United Food Bank is helping create a safety net of hope and relief in this community, and we’re humbled by their dedication to such a worthwhile cause,” Kelly said.
“With 20 years of industry leadership, OPENLANE has a proven track record of delivering the latest technology at scale, with service and support that inspire loyalty in its customers,” said KAR chief strategy officer and president of digital, data and mobility services Don Gottwald.
He added, “The dedicated team members in our Mesa office are bringing that same sense of service and support to the mission of United Food Bank today as they generously and compassionately work to support the local community.”
