Eli’s Cheesecake humanitarian efforts recognized by US Secretary of State

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Eli’s Cheesecake humanitarian efforts recognized by US Secretary of State

25 Jan 2023

Joanie Spencer

Since 2008, Joanie Spencer has covered the retail and wholesale sides of the baking industry.
Serving associations such as the American Society of Baking (ASB) and BEMA, Joanie is also in demand as an industry presenter on bakery operations and trends. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Rockhurst University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

When she’s not running or playing soccer, Joanie spends her time with her husband and 11-year-old son.

CHICAGO — Eli Schulman, founder of Chicago-based Eli’s Cheesecake, had certain mantras that served as a foundation for the company. “Charity will never bust you,” and “Treat others as if you were the other.”

One way the company lives out those values under the direction of Eli’s son Marc, the company’s president, is by partnering with RefugeeOne to provide employment opportunities for refugees who have settled in the Chicago area. Today, refugees make up more than 30% of Eli’s workforce.

In recognition of the company’s support of Chicago’s refugee community, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley visited the headquarters and baking facility to celebrate Eli’s humanitarian accomplishments.

“As Marc Schulman told me and would tell you, this is not a work of charity to bring people here to work at Eli’s,” said Secretary Blinken during his remarks following the tour. “It’s actually smart, good business because this team with their energy, with their ingenuity, with their drive, with their determination, it’s a core part of the business.”

In his remarks, Blinken noted that during the bakery tour, the gratitude and passion from Eli’s employees was evident, and he shared his gratitude “to them for now being the next generation of Americans who are carrying our story forward.”

RefugeeOne is a Chicago-based resettlement agency with a mission to create opportunities for people who have settled in Chicago seeking refuge from war, terror and persecution. Every year, the organization serves thousands of refugees and other immigrants seeking safety and a better life.

“This is not a work of charity to bring people here to work at Eli’s. It’s actually smart, good business because this team with their energy, with their ingenuity, with their drive, with their determination, it’s a core part of the business.” — Antony J. Blinken | US Secretary of State

“RefugeeOne has been such an amazing partner to Eli’s and to so many others,” Blinken said. “Ultimately, it takes individual Americans who want to carry on the extraordinary tradition that we have as a country in welcoming people from around the world to become part of our country, part of our future.”

As the district representative, Quigley joined Blinken in support of Eli’s efforts.

During the visit, he emphasized the optimism that efforts by companies such as Eli’s bring to refugee communities, adding that refugees are often unceremoniously dropped off at connection points with little regard to the extreme efforts it took for them to arrive safely in the US. Yet, Quigley noted, they remain optimistic.

It’s a trait refugees share with Eli’s.

“The Statue of Liberty is not holding up a stop sign,” Quigley said. “We need to work toward that end.”

Eli’s is in the process of expanding its production facility to support business growth. With that growth, the company will continue its humanitarian efforts, including providing work opportunities for refugees who have come to Chicago from around the world.

Over the years, Eli’s has hired refugees from Congo, Kosovo, Syria, Rwanda, Iraq, Burma, Tibet and Afghanistan.

“This event was a great way to highlight the efforts of our people and tell the story of what makes Eli’s so special,” Marc said.

Visit the Eli’s website for more information on Eli’s, its operations and company values.

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