feeding - Food Bank of Lincoln
Transcription
feeding - Food Bank of Lincoln
feeding MatTers Winter 2014 A Message From the Executive Director In November, Food Bank Agency Relations Director Mariana Schell and I traveled to Davenport, Nebraska, for a one-day meeting about food and its impact on communities. The meeting was hosted by Dr. Harold Stone at his South Maple Street meeting space. On his website, Dr. Stone describes this unique site: South Maple Street is a food–based enterprise that promotes community and economic development in rural Nebraska. We are passionate about food and the role that food can play in renewing the vitality of rural communities. Our purpose is to create both food products and experiences that make a positive impact on people’s lives and benefit the rural economy. As I listened to Harold’s thoughtful welcoming remarks, I was struck by the notion that food has been building communities for thousands of years. It is how and why we gather to share our sorrows and our happiness. Food connects, comforts and consoles. Communing around food moves us forward, takes us back, and at times, helps us be still. With the help of outstanding partner agencies and schools, faithful donors and friends, volunteers and a hard-charging staff, 2013 was a year in which we helped sustain many existing communities and contributed to the building of some new ones. As the New Year begins, we can take pride in our past 12 months, while maintaining a sense of urgency about the next 12. We distributed more than 8.5 million meals and improved our service in all 16 of our counties. More work remains as thousands of our neighbors remain on the edge of food insecurity. All of our schools have significant numbers of kids who are in the free and reduced lunch and breakfast programs, yet still struggle at home, on weekends and in the summer. Veterans need our help, and there is a growing Senior Hunger problem. Rural communities are struggling with hunger and poverty issues. In 2014, the Food Bank will remain dedicated to sustaining our existing partnerships and communities, and will be true to the thousands-ofyears-old notion of building new communities around food. Thanks for being part of our record year at the Food Bank over the past year. We hope you will continue to be a partner as we work to fulfill our mission in 2014 to alleviate hunger in Southeast Nebraska. Best regards, Scott Young Executive Director 2013 Board of Directors Greg Yank Wells Fargo Bank Jim Lamphere Nebraska Land Title & Abstract Connie Hilligoss Sign Pro Molly Brummond University of Nebraska College of Law Curt Krueger Catholic Social Services Dr. Karla Lester Teach a Kid to Fish Lizabeth Kuhlman Sinclair Hille Architects Jolene Bartling Hunger Advocate Nancy Ganser Childhood Hunger Advocate Faces of Hunger We hear it all the time: “At the end of the month, we have to make a choice: do we buy food or pay the bills?” Ronda, like many others, reminds us of the importance of our work. “If we weren’t able to get food from the Food Bank, our family would go without some meals. We are very appreciative of the support and for all the volunteers who are here helping out.” Ronda and her husband have four kids – two school age and two living on their own. Her older kids are working hard to maintain employment. With two kids still at home and in school, the pressure really weighs on her and her husband. Fortunately, they are able to turn to the Food Bank when it comes time to make the decision to pay the bills or buy food. “It’s too often that we don’t have enough money to buy food and pay our bills. I am thankful for all that the Food Bank does for my family.” T.J. McDowell, Jr. Lincoln Public Schools Your Food Bank received a 4-Star rating again this year. In fact, this is the sixth consecutive year Food Bank of Lincoln has received a 4-Star rating. Receiving a four out of a possible four stars indicates that the Food Bank of Lincoln adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way. Dr. Marilyn Moore Bryan College of Health Services Brad Philson Union Bank & Trust Linda Robinson Rutz Union Agency, Inc. L. Bruce Wright Cline Williams, Wright, Johnson & Oldfather Your Rights as a Donor What’s important to you as a Food Bank of Lincoln supporter is important to us. As a donor, we want you to have full confidence in the Food Bank, our mission and our practices. According to the Donor Bill of Rights, your expectations of us should include: • • To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition. To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law. If you have any questions about how your donor dollars are being used, please call us at (402) 466-8170. The Donor Bill of Rights was developed by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Giving Institute and other top consultants to non-profits. Look for more from the Donor Bill of Rights in future newsletters. Page 2 Only 3% of charities that were rated have received at least six consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Food Bank of Lincoln outperforms most other charities in America. Impact A short time ago, the Food Bank was asked to present at a local organization as part of the United Way campaign. The staff at this business is very diverse. The Food Bank presented both in English and Spanish and they had a Vietnamese interpreter convey our message, making for a great experience. As we explained our different programs, we realized that several of them might actually be families that we serve. As we finished up one young Caucasian man (in his 20s) approached their HR representative. He was young and clearly had led a tough life. However, he gave $15 to the Food Bank of Lincoln because, he said, “The Food Bank has provided food to me when we needed it, so I’m giving some to them.” It was a powerful moment, and a great reflection of what the Food Bank of Lincoln does on a daily basis. Giving Comes in Variety of Ways THANK YOU PARAGON SANITATION FOR THE GIFT OF YOUR SERVICES more food to the people in need. We hoped that our way of giving would help the Food Bank of Lincoln serve more people.” Paragon is doing exactly that. Their services are saving the Food Bank of Lincoln thousands of dollars each year. With the money saved, the Food Bank is able to distribute approximately 6,000 more meals each year. Steve Hatten, Karen Hatten and Ryan Hatten. A few years ago, the economy was in a downward spiral and many businesses were just doing what they could to keep operating. Paragon Sanitation was one of them. Times were tough, but owner Ryan Hatten knew they could still lend a hand. Ryan contacted the Food Bank of Lincoln to discuss the possibility of donating Paragon’s services so the Food Bank would not have to pay for waste hauling. Ryan recalls, “What we wanted to do was help reduce the Food Bank’s bills. We knew that if they would allow us to donate our services, we would be helping them distribute THANK YOU MARY HUNT FOR THE GIFT OF PLANNED GIVING Ryan’s sense of community has been passed down from generation to generation. When Ryan was a young boy, his grandfather and father (who started Paragon Sanitation in 1976) allowed Ryan to work on their routes with them. He remembers all the fun they had and knew that he wanted to go into the family business when he grew up. He is now proud to say he is a fourth-generation garbage hauler in Lincoln. He follows in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, grandfather and father in the family business while his mother and wife work in the office. We are grateful to Paragon Sanitation for their commitment to alleviating hunger in Southeast Nebraska. Mary Hunt was one of the Food Bank’s most loyal supporters. She started making monthly $100 donations in 2008, and those gifts added up to more than $6,000, which translates into 15,000 meals for the hungry. Mary died in August, at the age of 83. What you need to know is that Mary, her late husband Lee, and their family made a plan to make sure Mary’s support continued after her death. Through Mary’s trust, the Food Bank of Lincoln received $10,000 in October. At her rate of giving $100 per month, that is the equivalent of more than eight years of support for Food Bank clients struggling with hunger. The Hunt’s children were kind enough to share these thoughts on Mary’s generosity: In the deed the glory “Mom knew the greatest gift is not the money but the example that maybe others would be inspired to greater giving. “ “Our mom would not want any kind of special notice for this gift, and that was very common for folks of her generation. They didn't ‘toot their own horn’ as she would put it. Many call it the greatest generation, and we tend to agree with that characterization considering their collective sacrifices for our country. So in that respect she was doing what she believed to be the right thing to do when God blesses you greatly. “Our parents worked hard on the farm and raising a family. They lived simply, frugally and gratefully planned for the future. When they reached the point that they could live a bit more extravagantly, they simply didn't. They were so happy with the things they had that mattered most. They saw God’s big picture and their part in it. “Mom knew the greatest gift is not the money but the example that maybe others would be inspired to greater giving. ‘In the deed the glory,’ we carve it into the wall of our football stadium. Just words you might say, but our mom gave her kids that example. Sorry Mom, we tooted your horn. We look forward to hugging you in heaven someday.” --Lee and Mary's kids What an amazing legacy, one that will live on for years and help thousands. Please consider doing what Mary did and make the Food Bank of Lincoln or the Food Bank Foundation part of your estate plans. For more information, please contact Development Director John Mabry at (402) 466-8170, ext. 110, or [email protected]. Special Thanks to our Holiday Food Drive Sponsors News & Notes Farm Credit Services Land O Lakes Lincoln Journal Star 10/11 KOLN/KGIN Thankful for Turkey Donations Just in time for Thanksgiving, several local businesses stepped up to make sure families in need were able to enjoy a traditional turkey this year. A special thanks to Hy-Vee, Olsson Associates, Sid Dillon, Schaefer’s, the Bike Rack and everyone who helped make this a better holiday for families struggling to put food on the table. Each business made donations that totaled 1,420 turkeys for families that may otherwise have gone without. 12th Annual Combat Hunger This year’s event was the largest in its 12 year history. Combat Hunger 2013 produced food and cash that will allow us to distribute 13,655 meals to our hungry friends throughout Southeast Nebraska. A special thanks to Three Eagles Communications, 92.9 the Eagle, Super Saver (48th & O), JetSplash and Nebraska National Guard. Student Hunger Drive Nets Big First Year The Food Bank of Lincoln partnered with People’s City Mission to help host a six-week student led food drive. Dr. Nancy Becker (a retired school principal) coordinated the food drive, connected the schools and inspired the students. The schools were broken down into two divisions (a large and small school division). Lincoln Pius X won the large school division, donating 13,603 pounds of food which equated to 13.79 pounds per student. College View Academy won the small school division by donating over 30 pounds per student. The event totaled 39,498 pounds of food! A special thanks to this year’s sponsors: Sandhills Publishing, Union Bank & Trust, Performance Chrysler – Jeep – Dodge – Toyota – Scion of Lincoln and Lexus of Lincoln. Pictured: A group of Norris High School students coming soon... Extra Mile Walk Set for April 5 The Extra Mile Walk, an annual event that provides a big boost to the BackPack Program, will be held Saturday, April 5 at Lincoln East High School. Thanks to great community support, led by our friends at Lincoln Public Schools, last year’s event raised more than $150,000 for children in need. Be sure to visit www.lincolnfoodbank.org for more information as the event gets closer. April 5 April 7 – 18 May 10 May 27 May 29 BackPack Extra Mile Walk State Campaign Against Hunger Postal Food Drive Empty Bowls Luncheon Give to Lincoln Day For detailed information on promotions and events, please visit www.lincolnfoodbank.org Page 4 12th Annual Empty Bowls This year’s Empty Bowls event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Embassy Suites. Empty Bowls is our signature event in which 15 of Lincoln’s finest restaurants, and one of the Food Bank of Lincoln’s own agencies, offer tempting soups, breads and desserts. Each person attending leaves with a hand-crafted pottery bowl of their choosing from Down Under Pottery. The empty bowls symbolize the bowls our community has filled over the years, and the bowls that still need filling. Tickets will go on sale the week of March 3. This year’s event is sponsored in part by Union Bank & Trust