Food insecurity is a critical issue in the United States, with more than 47 million people struggling to access nutritious meals. For Exact Sciences, addressing hunger isn’t just an act of charity—it’s a core part of its commitment to improve health outcomes and help eradicate cancer.
“It’s difficult to prioritize your health and cancer screenings if your need for food isn’t being met,” says Community and Employee Engagement Manager Stefanie Berg. “That’s why we made fighting food insecurity a key priority in 2024.”
Partnering for stronger communities
Exact Sciences works with local nonprofits to maximize its impact, rallying its team of over 7,000 employees to combat hunger nationwide. By leveraging insights from its community partners like United Food Bank in Phoenix and Madison Food Pantry Gardens, the company ensures its support is focused and relevant.
“We want to show up in ways that matter,” Berg explains. “Instead of saying, ‘Here’s what we can do,’ we ask, ‘How can we support you?’ Our goal is to be someone these organizations can rely on, knowing they can come to us with specific needs, and we’ll find a way to help.”
All hands on deck
Employees drive Exact Sciences’ capacity to give back. In 2024, its teams dedicated over 14,000 hours to volunteering.
In Madison, employees supported The River Food Pantry and WayForward Resources, packing groceries and preparing 3,300 servings of hot, homemade lasagna for those in need. The recipe, crafted by Exact Sciences’ executive chef, Cole Ersel, used only locally sourced, whole ingredients.
“We’re thoughtful about what we feed our employees,” says Ersel. “That intentionality extends to our neighbors, where we prepare the same recipes with the same high-quality ingredients.”
Employees also distributed 30,456 meals with Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin and sorted over 8,000 pounds of fresh produce for Feeding San Diego and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. During the holiday season, they cooked Thanksgiving meals for 1,500 people and collected more than 1,900 food items for meal baskets.
A connection in every encounter
The company adds a personal touch to every volunteer effort—whether through handwritten messages, decorated bags, or personalized cards. These small acts help recipients feel seen and cared for, reinforcing that their well-being matters.
Last year, employees assembled over 740 snack and meal packs for WayForward Resources and the Badger Childhood Cancer Network, each with a handwritten note or decorated bag. Volunteers also decorated meal bags for The Joybus, a Phoenix-based nonprofit delivering meals to cancer patients, ensuring recipients knew someone had thought of them recently.
The commitment continues
As Exact Sciences kicks off 2025, food insecurity remains a top priority. Its ongoing dedication positions the company as a trusted partner for food-focused organizations.
Rhonda Adams, executive director at The River Food Pantry, emphasizes, “Food insecurity has reached historic levels in our community. We are grateful for Exact Sciences’ generosity to help us ensure our neighbors won’t need to choose between paying bills and feeding their families.”
With a focus on fostering lasting relationships and driving sustainable change, Exact Sciences is committed to nourishing communities while advancing its broader commitment to improve health outcomes and help eradicate cancer.
“It’s difficult to prioritize your health and cancer screenings if your need for food isn’t being met,” says Community and Employee Engagement Manager Stefanie Berg. “That’s why we made fighting food insecurity a key priority in 2024.”
Partnering for stronger communities
Exact Sciences works with local nonprofits to maximize its impact, rallying its team of over 7,000 employees to combat hunger nationwide. By leveraging insights from its community partners like United Food Bank in Phoenix and Madison Food Pantry Gardens, the company ensures its support is focused and relevant.
“We want to show up in ways that matter,” Berg explains. “Instead of saying, ‘Here’s what we can do,’ we ask, ‘How can we support you?’ Our goal is to be someone these organizations can rely on, knowing they can come to us with specific needs, and we’ll find a way to help.”
All hands on deck
Employees drive Exact Sciences’ capacity to give back. In 2024, its teams dedicated over 14,000 hours to volunteering.
In Madison, employees supported The River Food Pantry and WayForward Resources, packing groceries and preparing 3,300 servings of hot, homemade lasagna for those in need. The recipe, crafted by Exact Sciences’ executive chef, Cole Ersel, used only locally sourced, whole ingredients.
“We’re thoughtful about what we feed our employees,” says Ersel. “That intentionality extends to our neighbors, where we prepare the same recipes with the same high-quality ingredients.”
Employees also distributed 30,456 meals with Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin and sorted over 8,000 pounds of fresh produce for Feeding San Diego and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. During the holiday season, they cooked Thanksgiving meals for 1,500 people and collected more than 1,900 food items for meal baskets.
A connection in every encounter
The company adds a personal touch to every volunteer effort—whether through handwritten messages, decorated bags, or personalized cards. These small acts help recipients feel seen and cared for, reinforcing that their well-being matters.
Last year, employees assembled over 740 snack and meal packs for WayForward Resources and the Badger Childhood Cancer Network, each with a handwritten note or decorated bag. Volunteers also decorated meal bags for The Joybus, a Phoenix-based nonprofit delivering meals to cancer patients, ensuring recipients knew someone had thought of them recently.
The commitment continues
As Exact Sciences kicks off 2025, food insecurity remains a top priority. Its ongoing dedication positions the company as a trusted partner for food-focused organizations.
Rhonda Adams, executive director at The River Food Pantry, emphasizes, “Food insecurity has reached historic levels in our community. We are grateful for Exact Sciences’ generosity to help us ensure our neighbors won’t need to choose between paying bills and feeding their families.”
With a focus on fostering lasting relationships and driving sustainable change, Exact Sciences is committed to nourishing communities while advancing its broader commitment to improve health outcomes and help eradicate cancer.
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