Photo by Josh VanKlompenburg Canby Inn and Suites manager Bobbi Jo Davis works at the hotel’s front desk on Monday, March 16.

CANBY — For Canby Inn and Suites general manager Bobbi Jo Davis, giving back to the community isn’t just part of the job — it’s a core value.

Davis, who has been with the hotel for more than a decade, said community involvement has long been central both to her personal values and the company’s mission.

“It brings awareness of different things in the community and helps people realize what’s going on,” Davis said. “It also encourages others to get involved and help where they can.”

As Canby Inn and Suites continues its commitment to outreach efforts, Davis hopes the impact goes beyond donations — inspiring others to get involved and strengthening the community as a whole.

That commitment was on full display during last fall’s “One Bag, Big Difference” suitcase drive, which drew an overwhelming response from the community. More than 400 gently used suitcases and bags were donated during the month-long effort — far exceeding expectations.

“Oh my goodness, it was overwhelming,” Davis told the Canby News last November. “I sat in the middle of all the suitcases crying. I was like, ‘Holy buckets, we have over 400 bags sitting here. That’s crazy!’ I did not think we would get that many.”

Donations were distributed to organizations supporting families and children in need, including the Children’s Home Society. The goal was to provide children entering foster care with proper luggage, rather than forcing them to carry belongings in trash bags.

The impact extended beyond Canby. Additional donations were shared with Women’s Rural Advocacy Programs (WRAP), and regional support grew as word spread. The United Way of Southwest Minnesota even served as a drop-off location, helping transport donations from surrounding communities.

“They couldn’t believe it,” Davis said of partner organizations’ reactions to the amount of support received in the suitcase drive. “Canby showed up, definitely…They showed up and showed us what Canby’s all about.”

The hotel has also participated in other outreach efforts, including backpack drives and the “Sharing the Spirit” program around the holidays.

As part of “Sharing the Spirit,” Canby Inn and Suites provides free rooms for out of town families visiting loved ones in the local nursing homes, hospitals and treatment centers on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

“I would say ‘Sharing the Spirit’ is probably one of my favorites,” Davis said. “I just like bringing families together during the holidays and watching the smiles on everybody’s faces.”

Davis noted that community response to these efforts consistently reflects the strength of the area.

“Our small community really does show up and come together for each other,” she said. “It’s well-received, and people really appreciate it.”

For Davis, community involvement is deeply personal. She said her passion for service dates back to her school years, when she participated in student leadership and service organizations.

“I’ve always loved working with the community and bringing people together,” she said. “Making sure people are happy — that’s always been important to me.”

Before stepping into her current role, Davis worked in property management and was part of the hotel team when Canby Inn and Suites first opened, starting in night auditor and housekeeping roles before moving into management about 10 years ago.

Today, she said, it’s especially meaningful to work for a company that shares her commitment.

“It’s really nice to be part of a business where giving back is a priority,” she said.