Chili tonight
You have a few more hours to register to attend tonight’s (January 15th) address by Feeding America CEO Vicki Escarra. Phone 287-8698 ext 100. There is a $15 fee with students and children at no cost. We would love to have you join us for a simple bowl of chili at 6 PM and an informal presentation by Vicki with time for questions and observations.
I have been swamped over the holidays with preparation of grant requests. Today I finished the last of the nine currently on the docket. Some required many pages to outline the program, justify the need, make the pitch, state the budget and provide supporting information. If I had one wish that could be granted for the not-for-profit world it would be for a universal grant request form. Nine grants, nine formats, nine sets of requirements, nine perspectives. Still, I’m happy for the opportunity!
2008 was a banner year at Second Harvest. We handled more than five million pounds of food and grocery products. Picture a 128 big-rigs unloading at our dock one after the other and you will get a picture of the volume.
Although some pantries increased their usage of products from Second Harvest, much of the growth was attributed to the Tailgate Program. Those ‘once a month’ tailgate distributions in each of our eight counties delivered 1.3 million pounds of groceries directly to families in need.
We continue to look for ways to assist pantries in expanding their capacity to serve more families with more food. In the mean time the Tailgate Program and new BackPack program will help get food directly to families hit so hard by the economy.
The BackPack is in it’s fourth month in an Anderson elementary school. Kids get to take home a sack of food in their BackPacks each month. We send enough kid-friendly food for four meals and two snacks for more than 400 children. Reports from parents, teachers and children are positive.
Congresswoman Terri Austin and Senator Sue Errington are the force behind some new state legislation. Sue has a bill starting in the Indiana Senate to allow a check off for food banks on the Indiana State income tax form. If the bill passes this year it will be in effect the first of 2010.
This is another great example of how a few dollars can make a huge impact. Some states collect hundreds of thousands of dollars this way. Indiana money will go to our state food bank association and from there will be allotted to regional food banks to help secure more food for hungry Hoosiers. If you see Terri or Sue, please give a thank you. Be sure to promote the bill with all our representatives.
Visit our website www.curehunger.org to reserve for the Dream Ball on February 21 at the Paramount. We will continue our celebration of 25 years and 45 million pounds and raise a lot of money for hunger relief.