At 3Q Digital, the number “3” represents more than just the company name. It stands for the three core client deliverables of execution, intelligence and emotional intelligence. The San Mateo, California-based agency also promotes an internal initiative called 3Q3%, for which employees donate 3 percent of their time on a regular basis by volunteering with various nonprofits or charities.

These efforts are among the reasons 3Q Digital was chosen third-best among companies with more than 200 employees in Ad Age Best Places to Work 2020.

In the firm’s San Diego location, one recent recipient was the city’s food bank, which collects leftover produce from local retailers and growers and redistributes it to nearby shelters, kitchens and pantries.

“Two hours flew by,” says Lauren Varney, 3Q’s office manager, who helped sort apples and onions into smaller bags for those in need. “We very genuinely had a great time with each other helping a great cause,” she says of the endeavor, which often occurs monthly at different charities.

Employees use an internal Slack channel to share ideas for volunteer opportunities. For 3Q—which rebranded from PPC Associates seven years ago—the offering not only lets employees like Varney give back, but it also helps with the retention of its 325 employees as well as recruitment.