JUNE 2014 NEWSLETTER. Buy Tickets Fore Charity and Help Support the Food Bank

Transcription

1 JUNE 2014 NEWSLETTER Buy Tickets Fore Charity and Help Support the Food Bank The Foothills Food Bank is excited to be a part of the 2014 Charles Schwab Cup Championship s Tickets Fore Charity program. The great thing about this program is that every ticket purchased through or on behalf of the Food Bank nets the cost of the ticket as a direct contribution to the Food Bank. That s right 100% of all proceeds from ticket sales through us stays with us to continue our mission to feed and support people needing our help. So if you buy a $20 ticket, you get to experience great golf and the Food Bank gets a $20 donation. This year s Charles Schwab Cup Championship is being held October 29 November 2 at the beautiful Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the 7,019-yard breathtaking course will prove to be a challenge to even the best Champions Tour professionals in what is sure to be another exciting race for the Charles Schwab Cup. This PGA event is fun for golfers and non-golfers alike. What a great way to support the Food Bank and enjoy a world-famous tournament as a spectator in this beautiful setting. Tickets to the event are just $20, good any day, and may be purchased in one of two ways. Write a check for the number of tickets you want made out to the Foothills Food Bank, and the Food Bank will mail your tickets to you. Mail to us at PO Box 715, Carefree, AZ and make sure your return address is enclosed with the order. Or you can go to the following website and purchase tickets; you will be asked to select the charity of your choice to which the cost of the tickets will be donated. Select the Foothills Food Bank as your charity, and we will receive a donation in the amount of your tickets. Tickets Fore Charity website is Food Bank Earns Inspire Excellence Award The Cave Creek Unified School District presented the Foothills Food Bank with its Inspire Excellence Award at the Annual Recognition Ceremony on May 15. The award recognizes the Food Bank s partnering with the local school district in distributing Snack Packs each week to children on the free food program at their school. Executive Director Palma DiPietro said, The food bank feels very honored to have received this award. The program will continue and may expand to include more schools in the Deer Valley School District. It costs about $5.00 per student to provide weekend meals. If you make a donation to the Food Bank in the name of the Snack Pack Program, your dollars will be used specifically to fund that program. If more schools are added, more volunteers will also be needed to help assemble and deliver the snack packs each week. Call the food bank at if you are interested in volunteering for this special task. ( Pictured Carmine Furioso and Pam Dipietro.) Page 1 Foothills Food Bank June, 2014

2 Foothills Food Bank Mission The Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center provides an emergency supply of food, referral information and financial assistance to individuals and families in the foothills area that are in a crisis situation. Hours of Operation Monday: 9 am 3 pm Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: 9 am 3 pm 5:30 pm 8 pm 9 am 3 pm 10 am 4 pm 5:30 pm 8 pm 10 am 4 pm Physical Address 6038 E. Hidden Valley Drive Cave Creek, AZ Mailing Address P.O. Box 715 Carefree, AZ Contact Information foothillsfoobank@gmail.com Phone Fax Twitter FoothillsFood Website Foothillsfoodbank.com Facebook FoothillsFoodBank Letter from Board President Chuck Weirauch We certainly had an ideal winter in the Foot Hills. The wonderful weather was just one of the positive things we at the Food Bank experienced. The mortgage was paid by an anonymous donor, and we celebrated with an official mortgage burning event. We built the volunteer list to over 420 concerned and capable folks from all over our designated support area. We successfully executed our Snack Pack program, delivering weekend food to our students in need, and our senior program continues to bring food to the home-bound. With the increase in clients, the Food Bank has expanded our food recovery program to keep enough food on our shelves. Food recovery is the industry buzz word for sending drivers to local stores to pick up daily food that becomes available because of inventory turnover and pending sell by dates. We now pick up daily at over 12 stores. In most cases this requires a refrigerated van to keep food at safe temperatures. We continue to search for a vehicle to meet that need. The Food Bank is also reaching maximum capacity in our warehouse so the Fundraising Committee is discussing options to increase our storage capability. And one of our most recent initiatives is training staff and volunteers to help clients apply for food stamps so that we can help qualify candidates and apply for food stamps at our facility. Arizona Gives Day has come and gone and more then one million dollars was pledged to many charities in the Phoenix area. The Foothills Food Bank was one of the groups that benefited from this program because of the support received from our community. Thank you to those who participated in Arizona Gives Day and for supporting our Food Bank. The Food Bank board receives reports showing the number of clients we serve, pounds of food received and distributed as well as other statistics. The data shows that we are continuing to receive and distribute more food to more clients than we have in the past, and the number of new clients continues to grow. We are able to respond to this increased demand because of support from people like you. Again, thank you for the food and money that you give to the Foothills Food Bank so that we may continue our mission. CARE CLUB Care Club helps clients by supplementing food for a minimal fee. Meat Baskets cost $15 and Pantry Baskets &10. Pick-up days are: 1st Wednesday of each month 12 4:30 pm 3rd Thursday of each month 12 8 pm RECENT STATISTICS Pounds of Food # Clients Donated Distributed Jan: 33,595 60,398 3,507 Feb: 51,311 57,643 3,234 Mar: 53,587 58,802 3,302 Apr: 56,143 59,528 3,456 Page 2 Foothills Food Bank June, 2014

3 Foothills Food Bank Partnering to Complete the Circle of Helping Hands In order to provide as many needed services as possible to its clients and their families, the Food Bank has partnered with other organizations in the community. We have learned so many lessons as we work to fulfill our mission, says Executive Director Pam DiPietro. It isn t just about collecting and distributing donated goods any more. To do the best job, we need to work with other groups providing related services helping families survive hard times. Working together with others enables the Food Bank to provide one location where individuals and families in need can obtain an array of services necessary in times of stress. The circle now includes the following current and future partners, and the circle will keep expanding as needs and resources are identified. CAP Community Action Program, a part of Maricopa County Human Services Division, has been working with the Food Bank to help families apply for grants for assistance in paying utility bills. Sessions on April 22 and May 21 assisted more than 30 families in this task. We will be doing other projects with CAP, and with APS, as needs and funding come together. ACAA Arizona Community Action Association and the Department of Economic Security are partnering with the Food Bank to provide SNAP information and to help process SNAP applications from our clients. If the Food Bank is accepted into the program, we will begin in October to assist our clients to access one more available resource. VCA Animal Hospitals Families with pets need to take care of the health of their feline and canine family members. The veterinarians and technicians from the VCA use Food Bank facilities to offer a clinic for clients to bring in their pets for needed shots. The first clinic was held on Saturday, March 15, with a follow- up 2 weeks later for those animals needing booster shots; nearly 50 animals received necessary care. A second clinic is slated for Saturday, June 14, and will be scheduled once every quarter. More Partnerships in the Works Clothing for Kids the Bobcat Closet The Black Mountain Elementary School in the Cave Creek Unified School District has created a clothing closet for children to supply clothes to those within the district that have a need. In the Fall the Foothills Food Bank will be partnering with the Bobcat Closet to help those beyond the school district to also have access to the closet. Help Finding a Job Team Job Search Team Job Search is dedicated to helping people learn how to market themselves and apply for jobs. This effort will be expanded into Cave Creek, and the Food Bank will be partnering with coordinator Diane Steenman to recommend clients for the program. Volunteers will be needed to help deliver the program and work with individuals to create effective job search tools. Page 3 Page 3 Foothills Food Bank June, 2014

4 Foothills Food Bank CLient Education and Resources (CLEAR) Expansion of Services The Food Bank is embarking on an expansion of the existing CLEAR program to include mentoring clients through the sometimes difficult processes involved in moving forward. Forms that need filling out are often voluminous and overwhelming. Volunteers are now being sought to help clients understand where to go and how to ask for things like disability assistance, insurance, or food stamps, or how to establish a working budget. These are but a few of the things that our clients are faced with, and we want to give them support so that they are able to make a better life. Can you help? If so, please contact the food bank at and volunteer specifically to be a "Mentor". What We Always Need Thanks to Postal Customers for Donations Lunch soups, chunky soups Stew, chili Canned tuna, chicken, spam, salmon Canned tomatoes, sauce, paste Pasta, rice and potato sides Peanut butter and Jelly Sugar, flour Tea, coffee Dried beans, Canned beans Diapers sizes 5 and 6 Albertson s Partners in June Donate a Gallon During the month of June, the Albertson s at Scottsdale and Carefree Highway will support the Food Bank and its clients by asking customers to donate a gallon of milk. If customers agree to donate, vouchers for those gallons will be given to the Food Bank to give in turn to the families who need fresh milk to supplement their meals. On May 10, 2014 a food drive was organized by the US Postal Service. Food collected from the Cave Creek and Carefree area was donated to the Foothills Food Bank. A donation of 5,412 pounds was collected. Since approximately 45 pounds is given each month for each person, this will help to feed about 120 people for one month. Thank you to everyone who supported this drive and to our Post Office workers who made it happen. Summertime, and the Selves Need Filling As more people head to cooler climes for at least part of the summer, the Food Bank struggles to fill empty shelves with food for clients who are here to stay. Now is a great time to make a donation of money or food, or buy a Ticket Fore Charity and plan ahead for the Fall. Hunger doesn t take the summer off! If you can patronize the Albertson s and donate a gallon as part of your tab, you can help a family through the summer months with fresh milk. Thank you to Albertson s and your customers for your partnership in caring. Page 4 Foothills Food Bank June, 2014

5 Foothills Food Bank Help Wanted Bowl Makers Pick-Up Van Still Needs a Partner The 13th annual Empty Bowls event is set for the Carefree Amphitheater on Friday, October 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event features hand-made bowls, good food and auction items, and 100% of the proceeds benefit the Foothills Food Bank. Of course, the event depends on having lots of empty bowls on hand, and right now we are in desperate need of artistic people to make the bowls. If you are able to make bowls or know of a talented artisan who might be able to help out, please send an to us at foothillsfoodbank@gmail.com. Thank you! Can you help us find a refrigerated van to help us with our pick-ups and deliveries? Especially if we expand our Snack Packs program in the Fall, we need more capacity. If you know of a van donation or reasonable purchase price, please contact us at foothillsfoodbank@gmail.com. For What It s Worth Food for 1 or 2 What you see here is a breakdown of the basic food for a client and what it would cost if the client went to the store to purchase it. It is required of all Food Banks to give a client 3 days of food 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners. But we try to give them much more and keep these items on the shelf at all times. Here is how our Wish List products are put together to make meals for clients. Breakfast for 1-2 people Cereal - 1 box = $2.49 Milk - 1/2 gal. = $1.99 Juice - 32 oz = $ cans of fruit (15 oz) = $1.99 TOTAL FOR BREAKFAST = $8.46 Lunch for 1-2 people 1 pkg. of Mac/Cheese = $ can lunch soup = $ pkg. crackers = $ jar peanut butter = $ jar jelly = $ loaf of bread = $1.50 TOTAL FOR LUNCH = $12.68 Dinner for 1-2 people 1 pound pasta = $ can pasta sauce = $ can tuna (5 oz) = $ box tuna helper = $ pound ground beef = $ pkg. rice = $ cans vegetables = $ can pinto beans = $ can tomato sauce = $1.29 TOTAL FOR DINNER = $16.49 Bonus 1 roll paper towels = $.89 2 rolls toilet paper = $.64 TOTAL COST = Page 5 Page 5 Foothills Food Bank June, 2014

6 Foothills Food Bank Behind the Scenes, Getting Ahead of the Needs It takes a lot of hands to make light work for the Food Bank to fulfill its mission. Many volunteers, including members of the Board of Directors, join staff in providing the services to our clients. We welcome two new members to the team and thank our Board for their insights and direction. We could not do it without you! Michelle Reyes Administrative Assistant Michelle Reyes is proud to be a long-time resident of Arizona, making Anthem her home for the last 13 years. Michelle has enjoyed watching the community grow along with her 3 children Jordan (18), Ashlee (17) and Brooke (15). Michelle s background in volunteering at school and her community involvement over the years, coupled with working with two successful businesses in Anthem, has lead her to her ideal position as Administrative Assistant at The Foothills Food Bank. Michelle enjoys spending free time with family and friends and attending services at Desert View Bible Church. Michelle says, I look forward to working alongside so many wonderful people at the Food Bank. Mark Atkinson Systems Coordinator Mark and his wife April relocated to Scottsdale from Maine in2010. Mark has managed and owned a variety of small businesses since 1989 and prior to 1989 he was a systems consultant for a software firm out of Montreal, Canada. He has volunteered at the Food Bank since April of 2013 and now is the Client and Systems Coordinator. April also volunteers at the Food Bank providing Mark and Pam with software support and data analysis. President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Directors 2014 Board of Directors Chuck Weirauch Ken Jones Gina Durbin Dave Flatt Tim Aikin Glenn Ford Jacki Jobe Robin Kilbane Cathie Rosenbaum Krista Walker Sharon White Summer Calendar July 4 Closed 14 VCA Animal Clinic, 8 10 a.m. 24 Board Meeting (Planning for Adopt-a-Family begins) August 4 Volunteer Training Sept. 1 Closed 13 VCA Animal Clinic, 8 10 a.m. 25 Board Meeting Oct. 1 Sign up for Adopt-a-Family begins 15/16 Taste of Cave Creek 17 Empty Bowls 18 Tatum Ranch Car Show 25 Wicked Halloween in Cave Creek 27 Thanksgiving Turkey distribution begins Page 6 Foothills Food Bank June, 2014

7 Foothills Food Relay for Life Our Volunteer Star, Don Hicks He walked all night. Relay for Life event went very well, with a small but dedicated team. Don Hicks, one of the Food Bank s best volunteers, held the wand and walked over 20 miles around the high school track for the relay. Like the Energizer Bunny, he just keeps going and going and going After walking all night, Don still had the energy to help get packed up and return all the gear to the Food Bank. On behalf of the staff, volunteers and our clients THANK YOU, DON! Don is the same way when he is volunteering at the Food Bank. He is quick to give a hand whenever needed and says yes whenever he is asked to do a project. He helps pack food orders, is in charge of recycling, cleans up and locks everything at the end of the day. He has also volunteered to help with the Cave Creek WICKED event in October, and help us to obtain an intern from ASU for next Fall. The list of things that Don does goes on and on and on and on. Volunteers Thank you, Thank you! Don is one of the many volunteers who help us every day in many ways every one of them very special. We now have more than 500 volunteers who donate between 2,200 and 2,500 hours per month to help the Food Bank provide its services. They pick up and deliver, sort, counsel, and assist in countless ways. On average, with the help of our volunteers and donors, we assist more than 400 client households and provide food to an average of 2,000 people each month. One of our new clients recently commented, The Food Bank has the friendliest group of people helping. On behalf of all of our clients, thank you again for your support and dedication. Helping Families Care for Pets On May 23, the Food Bank hosted a spay/neuter clinic for clients with animal family members. According to Executive Director DiPietro, the event was a huge success, with 50 pets receiving treatment provided by Empty Bowls, Inc. Started in December, 2012, Empty Bowls, Inc. is dedicated to helping financially struggling pet owners care for and feed their four-legged best friends. Its mission is to prevent adding to the number of abandoned and surrendered pets by supplying pet owners in need with food and other services. The group teaches owners about caring for animals and provides low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination programs in addition to providing food. For more information about this Food Bank partner, contact emptybowlsarizona@gmail.com Page 7 Foothills Food Bank June, 2014

8 J U N E, N E W S L E T T E Everyone needs a helping. hand sometimes. The Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center provides emergency food, financial assistance and other life necessities and resources to individuals and families in the desert foothills, which encompasses a 180-square mile area that includes Black Canyon City, Cave Creek, Carefree, Anthem, Desert Hills, New River, Rio Verde, north Scottsdale and north Phoenix. The Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center is striving to fulfill its mission by partnering with other organizations in our communities to offer a full range of services to our growing number of clients and their families. Our wish is to not only help families survive in time of need, but to find the means to build toward a better future. We cannot do it without our volunteers and donors. Please consider a donation in one of the ways featured in this newsletter. As we head into the summer, we are working on our partnerships and projects to raise money, provide a full range of services, and build toward our slate of activities starting in October. We welcome and value your time, your goods, and your charitable giving as we continue to build toward a better future for our clients and our community. Thank you for your consideration and continued support. ARIZONA CHARITABLE GIVING PROGRAM It is never too early to be thinking about giving, especially when your donation comes back to you 100-fold. Show your support for the Foothills Food Bank AND reduce your Arizona tax bill with a tax credit. You will receive a FULL TAX CREDIT for the amount you donate. For more information, visit or call Please complete the form below and mail it, along with your check payable to the Foothills Food Bank, to P.O. Box 715, Carefree, AZ Foothills Food Bank 2014 Charitable Organization Tax Credit Donation Form Name Last First M.I. Address (We need your address so that we may send you a letter of receipt.) City Zip Code Amount Enclosed Maximum donation is $400 for a married couple; $200 if single, head of household or married/filing separately Page 8 Foothills Food Bank June, 2014