Harvest for the Hungry Food Drive 2011

ATTENTION:  Businesses, Organizations, Churches and Civic Groups

Please join us November 1 – December 15 as we celebrate our 10th Annual Harvest for the Hungry Food Drive. 

Each year, especially during the holiday season, hunger-relief agencies see an increase in the number of clients requesting food assistance.  In today’s economy, the basic necessities are financially hard for many to obtain.  In an effort to meet those increased demands, we are asking for partners to conduct a food drive during the dates listed above.   

In collaboration with our 242 partner agencies throughout our 42-county service area, our organization is making great strides in hunger-relief efforts. 

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

• Distributing nearly 10 million pounds of food annually throughout our 42-county service area.
• Providing a weekly take-home bag of food, throughout the school year, to nearly 5,000 at-risk children in 33 Kentucky counties.
• Providing a box of food to approximately 5,000 income-eligible seniors each month.
• Picking up approximately 2.5 million pounds of food annually from local grocery stores (Kroger, Wal-Mart Supercenter, Food Lion and Sam’s Club) through our Retail Pick-Up Program; unsalable food items, yet consumable.
• Providing volunteers with packing opportunities at our local Volunteer Center and monthly food distributions.

IF YOUR BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION IS INTERESTED IN CONDUCTING A FOOD DRIVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, PLEASE CONTACT ANN STRAND, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR/DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT, AT 270-735-1407.  THANK YOU.

VOLUNTEERING AND YOUR HEALTH: HOW GIVING BACK BENEFITS EVERYONE

A survey released by UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group company, and VolunteerMatch identifies some of the key health benefits of volunteering. The UnitedHealthcare/VolunteerMatch Do Good. Live Well. Survey of more than 4,500 American adults found that 68 percent of those who volunteered in the past year report that volunteering has made them feel physically healthier. 

Volunteering and Health:

Volunteers agree that volunteering helps them to lead healthier lives.

• 68% of volunteers agree that “volunteering has made me feel physically healthier.”

• 89% of volunteers agree that “volunteering has improved my sense of well-being.”

• 73% of volunteers agree that “volunteering lowers my stress levels.”

• 29% of volunteers who suffer from a chronic condition agree that “volunteering has helped me manage a chronic illness.”

• Volunteering appears to correspond to a healthier BMI. 34% of volunteers are considered to have an “average” BMI, compared to 27% of non-volunteers. In addition, a lower proportion of volunteers (31%) were identified as obese when compared to non-volunteers (36%).

Volunteering and Satisfaction with Life:

Volunteering appears to correspond with higher levels of life satisfaction – including a greater sense of meaning and purpose and higher levels of optimism.

• 92% of volunteers agree that volunteering enriches their sense of purpose in life.

• Volunteers are significantly more likely (72%) to characterize themselves as “optimistic” compared to non-volunteers (60%).

• They are also significantly more likely (36%) to rate their overall satisfaction with their lives as “very good” compared to non-volunteers (26%).

• Volunteers are significantly more likely (42%) to say they have a “very good” sense of meaning in their lives, compared to non-volunteers (28%).

• Volunteers are significantly more likely (40%) to say they have a “very good” sense of purpose in their life, compared to non-volunteers (27%).

Volunteering Rates and Relationship to Work:

Employers have an important role to play in encouraging volunteerism among their employees.

• 25% of those who volunteer do so through their place of work.

• Among those who volunteer through work: o 84% agree that “more people would volunteer if their employers helped provide the means and the motivation.”

o 81% agree that “volunteering with work colleagues has strengthened our relationships.”

o 76% agree that “I feel better about my employer because of their involvement in my volunteer activities.”

o 21% agree that “I would not be a volunteer if it wasn’t for my employer.”

o 88% of all volunteers agree that volunteering provides networking/career development opportunities.

 

-more-

Volunteerism in America

• More than four in every 10 Americans (41%) have volunteered in the last year (e.g., engaged in unpaid service activities, not including giving money or donations).

• 69% of Americans have made donations to an organization in the past year.

• 44% of Americans report that they intend to volunteer in 2010, with many citing “the opportunity to make a difference” as the motivation.

The Hungry Are Counting on You!

Federal Budget Battle Begins

Our Nation's Hungry Are Counting on You

Released by Feeding America (national):

It's official: the legislative budget battle to protect America's hungry citizens has begun. The passage of this month's House Agriculture Appropriations bill marked the first of many legislative votes impacting essential nutrition assistance programs that aid our most vulnerable citizens. As budget discussions and legislative developments unfold, your action on this issue is crucial to the millions of Americans struggling with hunger.

Why Your Help is Critical

The Stakes Are High. Drastic funding cuts to anti-hunger programs will be harmful to communities across the country. The House Agriculture Appropriations bill would eliminate nutrition assistance for hundreds of thousands of low-income seniors, women, infants, and children struggling with hunger and cut support to food banks. Simply put, this bill would increase hunger in America.

A United Voice. Hunger is a non-partisan issue, but America's most vulnerable citizens don't usually have the loudest or most unified voice to protest the budget cuts that will impact them. That's why we need the united voice of Hunger Relief Advocates to let lawmakers know balancing the budget at the expense of America's hungry is not acceptable.

The Long Road Ahead. The budget battle will be long, tumultuous, and politically charged. Important national priorities are all competing for funding from a limited set of national resources, which is why Hunger Relief Advocates must keep ending hunger front and center in the budget debate.

Going the Distance. The budget will take months to finalize, so we need your ongoing commitment to go the distance and stay in the fight. It's not enough to simply call your Member of Congress or respond to a call to action. We need to make the issue of hunger a priority in our communities and ultimately on Capitol Hill.

We're increasing our advocacy efforts—and we're calling on you to do the same. Take one action per week, or four actions today, in the fight against hunger! Your participation can help change the discussion—and the course of action—about funding for our nation's hungry.

START CHANGE - ON A LOCAL LEVEL

Winning the budget battle for America's hungry will take action on a number of fronts—online, in your community, with your lawmakers, and by spreading the word. Here are some ways you can start helping today.

• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter—(Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland) Drive the online discussion about what's at stake for Central Kentucky’s hungry if we balance the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable.
• Spread the Word—Communicate the implications of the imminent threats to federal food programs to your friends and family. 
• Write a Letter—Raise awareness about cuts adversely impacting America's hungry by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Check your local newspaper for letter-writing guidelines. It's best to keep your letter short—150 to 200 words—and state your purpose in the first paragraph.
• Tell Your Story—FAKH needs your help to tell the story of hunger in Central, South Central and Western Kentucky and how it's affecting real people in your local community.  Share your experience by emailing tdelaney@feedingamericaky.org

ATTENTION DONORS: Read About the Difference You are Making! Meet 78-Year-Old Virginia!

It is so encouraging to hear the positive impact FAKH is making in the lives of so many individuals in Central and South Central Kentucky.  These life situations, in which I share with you, come directly from the actual clients we serve. 

Let me introduce you to Virginia!  I met Virginia at a recent food distribution.  She shares her story:

"Several years ago, I operated a food pantry (not affiliated with FAKH) out of my basement.  I enjoyed helping others very much, not realizing one day, I too, would be receiving food that way.  I am a widow of three years now and only get a small Social Security check, barely enough to make ends meet.  One day about 6-8 weeks ago, a friend of mine told me about the monthly food distributions at the National Guard Armory building.  I have really enjoyed coming here.  You can't believe how it helps me; things I could never buy myself.  If this were not a resource for me, I would do without a lot of things.  I thank God for Feeding America, Kentucky's Heartland."

Tami Delaney, Development Director

Hard Times = People Turning to the Food Bank / Pantries

Since I began my employment here at Feeding America, Kentucky's Heartland in August 2008, I have been transformed in my thinking.  I would be stretching the truth a bit if I said that I never thought previously that the majority of the people who visited food banks and pantries were 'users and abusers' of the system.  'Why aren't they working?'  'They probably get a handout from the government already.'  Today, I must admit my previous mindset was that of ignorance.

I soon discovered after meeting the individuals on the other end of the receiving line that the true client stories are vast and troubling. 

MEET JERRY
Let me introduce you to one of our clients, we will call him Jerry.  Upon his arrival to the food distribution site, Jerry explained to me that this was his first time ever coming to something like this.  I asked Jerry if he would be willing to talk to me a bit about his situation at home, as this information does help me in grants and sharing with the public about the need at hand.  Jerry agreed.

I asked Jerry to explain what brought him to the food distribution site, to explain to me his life in a nutshell.  Jerry went on to tell me that he was terminated from a local factory after exceeding his Family Medical Leave for numerous hernia surgeries accompanied with many complications.  He soon found that making ends meet for he and his family was impossible.  He not only found himself with a mounting stack of electric, water and medical bills, but without the means to provide food for his family.  A concerned family member shared with Jerry about the monthly distributions being conducted by Feeding America, Kentucky's Heartland, North Hardin Hope and Helping Hand.  He was encouraged to seek help from such organizations.  Thankfully, he did just that.

Many individuals find themselves in situations just like Jerry.  Unexpected circumstances cause their world to be turned upside, leaving many without hope.  However, there IS hope!  Feeding America, Kentucky's Heartland food bank is determined to get food in the hands of those individuals, families and seniors who need it. 

Would you consider helping feed someone in need?  Please visit our website at http://www.feedingamericaky.org/ and click on donate now to make a difference in the life of somelike like Jerry.  You can never go wrong in helping someone in need.

-Tami Delaney, FAKH Development Director

What Team Do You Cheer For?

Thinking back on my high school days, I remember all the football and basketball games I attended.  I consistently cheered for my school's team throughout the year.  I was passionate in my support of our teams.  One reason for that stemmed passion was that I had established friendships/solid relationships with many of the players.  I understood the team's overall goal....to win; to be successful no matter how big the obstacles. 

The same rings true for non-profit organizations.  It is difficult for any individual to throw their support behind any organization if they are clueless as to what they do and how they do it!  FAKH understand this.  We operate by support (volunteer, monetary and voice support throughout our service area).  Therefore, we need you!

We need passionate supporters, not only on the sidelines cheering us on, but we need you in the game helping us overcome the challenges of hunger in Kentucky.  We want you to know us better.  Please visit either one or both of our locations (Warehouse-313 Peterson Drive or Volunteer Center- 300 Peterson Drive).  Let us show you, first hand, our daily operational processes and share with you our mission for this organization.  We want to establish that friendship with you and get to know you better as well. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Development Director, Tami Delaney, at 270-769-6997.

Let us become your charity of choice!

Panera Bread and Panera Bread Patrons Making a Difference, Together!

Once again, Panera Bread and its patrons throughout Hardin and Warren Counties continue to support their local food bank, Feeding America, Kentucky's Heartland. 
FAKH receives a check for $3,081.21!

Small collection boxes are located next to the registers inside the above locations.  Customers and employees alike drop spare change or dollars into those collection boxes to benefit Feeding America, Kentucky's Heartland.  At the end of the year, those funds are matched through Panera's Operation Dough-Nation® program.  This year, the contribution received will enable our food bank to procure approximately 30,000 lbs of food!

So, the next time you are in Bowling Green, please stop by the Panera Bread location at 1770 Campbell Lane or if you are in Elizabethtown, drop in the 115 Towne Drive location for a delicious meal or treat.  While you are at it, drop your spare change in the collection boxes located by the registers to share in hunger-relief efforts.  Don't have time for a sit down meal?  That is okay too, since the Elizabethtown store opened its new drive thru, effective March 28th.

Want to know more about Panera Bread?  Visit them on the web at http://www.panerabread.com/.

* * * *

A QUICK GLANCE AT PANERA BREAD'S COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS:

Operation Dough-Nation Programs

Since our founding, Panera Bread and its franchisees have been active in our communities. Operation Dough-Nation was founded in 1992 to formalize our commitment to community involvement. Since then, it has grown to include four major activities: Community Breadbox™ cash collection boxes, the Day-End Dough-Nation™ program, Panera/SCRIP Card fundraising and participation in community events.

Community Breadbox

The Community Breadbox program ensures that donations made at Panera Bread feed back in to the community. A portion of cash donations made by customers in bakery-cafes may be matched by Panera and its franchisees and distributed to local non-profit organizations. Contributions generated through the program have provided basic necessities for those in need, and have created special places and opportunities. If you would like to contribute to our efforts to assist local non-profit organizations in the communities we serve, please look for the Community Breadbox collection containers at participating Panera Bread or Saint Louis Bread Co.® locations.

Day-End Dough-Nation

Through the Day-End Dough-Nation program, unsold bakery products are packaged at the end of each day and donated to local food banks and charities. In 2008, Panera Bread bakery-cafes collectively donated a retail value of more than 50 million dollars worth of bread and baked goods to charitable organizations helping to address the need for food distribution in our local communities. Many of these organizations are served by Feeding America, formerly America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization.

If More Businesses Would Commit, Think of the Outcomes!

Well, Tyson has set the standard really high with a 10 year commitment to hunger-relief.  They have been successful in providing food to individuals in need all across this country.  In celebration of these efforts, they will be donating over one million pounds of food during September, which is Hunger Action Month. 
I thought to myself, wouldn't it be nice if every food corporation would rise to the hunger-relief challenge of this magnitude?  Think of all the people that could be helped during these times of economic struggles across the globe.  Hopefully, advancements made by companies such as Tyson will perhaps inspire other corporations, who may not be giving/donating on a grand scale, to up the ante and begin reaching new heights in the way of philanthrophy.  For more on Tyson, click below!

You Tube Video on Tyson

Tyson Press Release

It is Great to Have Community Supporters!

Join FAKH's Development Director, Tami Delaney tomorrow morning as she will be co-hosting with the Host-est with the Most-est, Hollie Sexton, on 98.3 WQXE

tomorrow from 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. 

I am not sure what we will talk about, but I am sure it will be 'fascinating, captivating, exciting, stimulating and interesting with a side of comedy.'

DID YOU KNOW?
Our local WQXE (Quicksie) radio station is huge supporters of Feeding America, Kentucky's Heartland food bank!  For years, they have partnered with us in providing their listeners and our supporters with need-to-know information about hunger and poverty in Central and South Central Kentucky.  They have rallied for us time and time again in promoting our many food bank programs such as the BackPack Program serving 4,100+ at-risk children in 31 Kentucky counties.  They have provided us with many live remotes over the years as well; the last one was at our Guinness Book Record Breaking 'Building A Wall Against Hunger' community project (in collaboration with Helping Hand and North Hardin Hope) in August 2010!  If you have not yet checked out Quicksie, I would encourage you to do so; link below.  This is a great crew of people!  Check them out, it is not too late to become a fan!

WEB:    WQXE Quicksie
FACEBOOK:  WQXE Quicksie Fan Page

Tami Delaney, Development Director at FAKH

Child Hunger Ends Here!

Kudos to NBC's Al Roker for speaking out about child hunger and food insecurity in the United States.  Be sure and check out the latest links in regards to this growing problem in America.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/#42149411


http://www.9news.com/news/world/187702/347/Roker-Child-hunger-ends-here?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|t

Tami Delaney, Development Director at Feeding America, Kentucky's Heartland

Hunger-Relief in Kentucky's Heartland: Learning The Ropes

Hunger-Relief in Kentucky's Heartland: Learning The Ropes: "It seems that Feeding America, Kentucky's Heartland is one of the last food banks to pick up and run with blogging. As the Development..."

Learning The Ropes

It seems that Feeding America, Kentucky's Heartland is one of the last food banks to pick up and run with blogging.  As the Development Director, I am determined to learn how to master the blogging world.  Stay tuned for many more thoughts and ideas to come your way.  I hope you will enjoy this journey with us!


Tami Delaney, Development Director