e Gift of Gardening e Power of Collaboration Summer Hunger Profiles in Courage

16 Pages·2011·4.39 MB·English

Summer 2011
Together
We Can
Profi les in Courage
Th e Gift of Gardening
Th e Power of Collaboration
Summer Hunger
Profiles in Courage
Contents
Bill Bolling,
ACFB Executive Director
Summer 2011
I recently attended a community forum about what we are facing as a society as it is
Letter from the Director 2 featuring a nationally known speaker and today. Facing the challenges ahead of us will
nonprofit leader. The speaker talked about require tremendous sacrifice and investment
Agency of the Quarter 4
the challenges and opportunities nonprofits by everyone, but we still seem to be holding
Volunteers of the Quarter 5 face today. After the presentation, there out for simple answers with few sacrifices - or
was a panel representing different sectors at least sacrifices by anyone but ourselves.
Hunger Walk/Run 2011 6
and points of view. Each person gave their The existence of hunger is clearly related to
The Gift of Gardening 7 response according to their background and a number of policy issues, and we are faced
knowledge of the subject and what they had with some very difficult decisions. Distribu-
Together We Can 8
heard. What became abundantly clear is tion to Food Bank partner agencies has risen
What’s Cooking at the that for practically every issue and challenge by nearly 70% over the past three years - a
Food Bank? 10
discussed, there was also a public policy issue number we could never have imagined only
Upcoming Events 12 in play. From the Food Bank’s perspective, a few years ago. When education budgets get
this becomes especially relevant as we cut, or when the cost of health care, housing,
Thank You for Joining
consider cuts to our state budget resulting in food, and energy go up, it means greater costs
the Fight 13
new taxes for nonprofit and religious organi- for everyone, and more people to feed and
Summer Hunger 16 zations – or as we begin the long process of crisis situations to respond to. Our share of
writing a new Farm Bill, which funds a wide work automatically increases not only in the
array of nutrition programs like food stamps, short term, but for years to come.
school breakfast and lunch, summer feeding There are conversations we need to have
programs for children and provisions for the about our collective future; and it’s becoming
elderly. abundantly clear that these policy decisions
EDITORS It was asked, somewhat rhetorically, “Why are deeply connected. We are left with some
Angie Clawson do our political leaders seem to always lead us serious questions about where we should look
Amy Hudson to political dead ends instead of collaborative for leadership today:
CONTRIBUTORS solutions? Where is the hope? Why do we all Do our political leaders lead by following
Bill Bolling, Angie Clawson, feel so stuck, incapable of finding a compro- the polls, or by following their consciences?
Fred Conrad, Cedric Davis, mise and solutions to the problems of the Do business leaders lead by pursuing short
Michael DeCoursey,
day?” And to no one’s surprise, the answer term growth, or investing in a sustainable
Sarah Fonder-Kristy,
Kimberly Hays de Muga, from one of the panelists was – “These are future?
Daphne Hill, Amy Hudson, really hard issues, and our political leaders Do nonprofit leaders lead by telling the
Barbara Overton, Janice Reece,
want to keep their jobs.” community what they want to hear, or what
Carol Richburg, Sarah Robertson,
It’s hard - that’s it? We avoid hard decisions we know has to be done?
Suzanne Roush, Holly Royston,
Samantha Schreiber, Orazie Slayton, for job security? Do the media lead by entertaining us and
Judy Stamps, Naretha Timberlake, My goodness, hard is not having enough making us afraid, or by doing the in-depth
and Jon West
money to take care of one’s family or not work of investigative journalism?
COVER PHOTO having access to health care when a child is Where are the profiles in courage in our
Amy Hudson sick. It’s really hard to tell your family that lives today?
INSIDE PHOTOS there’s not enough to eat today. In our feature article, we learn about the
Louie Favorite, Amy Hudson, But having to lead in these uncertain times courage, ingenuity, and passion of the people
Marcus Kraus, Samantha
at any level, especially leading in the public we work with at the neighborhood and
Schreiber and Allison Young. Photo
sector, is very difficult. There is little margin county levels. Conversations with community
on Page 7 courtesy of Atlanta Bo-
tanical Gardens. Photo on Page 16 for error and an unrealistic expectation that volunteers and staff during our recently
courtesy of Feeding America. things can be fixed quickly. In fact, it may conducted Agency Study gave us some great
DESIGN never have been so hard to deliver the news examples of courageous leadership. It seems
Fain & Tripp, Inc.
2
Board of Directors
that courage is often hidden in plain sight. It through human beings who care enough to
2010/2011 OFFICERS
expresses itself in acts of kindness, often to step up when others are down, who answer
Chair
strangers. And those acts of kindness often the call of a greater power, who refuse to Don Heroman
come from those with the least to give. It blame others. Courage, leadership, and faith Vice Chair
David Leeds
could be summed up in that simple truth are clearly on display by those who take up
Secretary
found in every religious tradition – “to do this work. David Eidson
Treasurer
unto others as we would like them to do unto The times require a willingness to take risks
Arlene Glaser
us.” It’s a simple idea that can be transforma- and to sometimes fail, succeed, and then fail Advisory Board Chair
Mary Moore
tive. again. As we search for courage to continue
2010/2011 BOARD MEMBERS
Encouraged by the stories, suggestions, and the journey, we can look back at our forefa-
Steven J. de Groot
expressions of caring we heard and observed thers for wisdom, but we must look forward
Ed Fisher
during our community to our young people
AJ Johnson
conversations, we came to realize our future.
Mike Kane
away informed about Those of us who are, or Richard LeBer
planning our own future have been, in leadership Jackie Parker
at the Food Bank. positions must take the Joseph Sisto
Jorg Viader
We will stay focused time to model what we’ve
Jerry Wilkinson
on those who are step- learned, mentor those
Hilary Wilson
ping up to the challenge; who are ready, and stand
GENERAL COUNSEL
they are the leaders of up for what we know is
David Long-Daniels
the future. We will sup- right.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
port those efforts that Things are hard for
Bill Bolling
lead to collaboration and everyone now because
partnerships; they allow our future is no longer
our collective strength as secure as we thought.
to multiply. Knowing With uncertainty
Our Mission
that nutrition and health often comes fear and
are even more critical to resistance to change. But Our mission is to fight hunger by
those without access to quality health care; we here’s a point to ponder. If we look back in engaging, educating and empowering
our community.
will make fresh, healthy products more regu- history, we know that uncertain times offer
Who We Serve
larly available. With energy costs continuing up opportunities for people of every age and
to rise, we will steadily increase our food circumstance to step up and lead. If we know The Atlanta Community Food Bank
supports more than 700 local non-
deliveries, saving hundreds of agencies time anything from the past, we know that we can
profit organizations with hunger-relief
and money. We will collaborate, support, and be inspired to constructive action by those programs. Food pantries, community
give voice to those communities who invite us who refuse to give up or give in to the naysay- kitchens, childcare centers, night shel-
ters and senior centers are among the
to partner with them. ers. Rarely do we find courage alone, but more
agencies that receive product from the
With the dramatic need for the Food Bank often in the context of family, community and
Food Bank and provide food and other
to grow in size and sophistication, and with programs that work. Our future is built on a critical resources for low-income Geor-
costs rising, we will increasingly rely on the strong foundation, and I have every reason to gians who suffer from hunger and food
insecurity. The Food Bank also operates
community to challenge, guide, and support believe that we will find our way again.
several community projects to aid our
us.
agencies in community building, techni-
As our society tries to solve its most cal assistance and advocacy efforts.
vexing problems, it is becoming abundantly To learn more or get involved in
clear that our solutions won’t come through the fight against hunger, please visit
ACFB.org
one political party or another; they’ll come
3
Agency of the Quarter
Faith In Serving Humanity (F.I.S.H.)
Visit Walton County and you’ll see program teamed up to create a seam- Cindy Little. “Our community is fully
that kindness and compassion come as less way to offer assistance throughout supportive of our charity, and because
second nature to those who live there. the year. In addition to the summer of that, people know we are reliable
In 1992, a group of pastors with the lunches, F.I.S.H. 4 Kids provides and here for them.” Little has been the
Walton County Ministerial Association teachers with food children can take director of F.I.S.H. for 10 years and con-
saw the need for a collaborative way that home in their backpacks, as well as the siders its clients her brothers and sisters.
Walton County citizens could help their opportunity to request athletic gear or F.I.S.H. is currently in the process of
neighbors, and started the charity Faith band equipment for children showing expanding onto a property a few miles
In Serving Humanity (F.I.S.H.). Today high interest in sports or music. from its original location. The new
there are 54 churches of all denomina- In addition to helping feed its com- 18,000-square-foot building will become
tions working in unity to serve their munity, F.I.S.H.
brothers and sisters in need through the offers financial
agency. With a mostly volunteer staff, aid for mort-
F.I.S.H. offers an array of services that gages, rent,
bring relief and hope to the people in utility bills, and
the community. transportation
With help from the Atlanta Com- costs. Bus tickets
munity Food Bank and local donations, and gas vouchers
F.I.S.H. is able to host a food pantry that are available for
provides emergency food to those who F.I.S.H. clients
come off the street seeking help. F.I.S.H. who need to
also supplies food through its F.I.S.H. 4 attend medical
Kids Program, which focuses on feeding appointments or
impoverished children. During the sum- job interviews.
mer months, F.I.S.H. volunteers deliver The agency also
lunches to the doors of children who has a free medi- Volunteers Hank and Maria Bartosz, Thomas Straub, and Jim Williams gathered together
in March to prepare Easter baskets for F.I.S.H client families.
normally receive their only nutritious cal clinic on site
meal of the day during their school’s to provide fast
lunch hour. F.I.S.H. was made aware of and convenient medical care. home to the agency’s thrift store, medi-
this need by the school’s teachers and F.I.S.H. clients can also find cloth- cal center, soup kitchen, and F.I.S.H. 4
counselors, and wasted no time re- ing, furniture, and emergency shelter Kids program.
sponding. The program has been in op- at its location. The services available The dedicated efforts of F.I.S.H. help
eration for six years and has shown great at F.I.S.H. seem endless -- all made pave the way for Walton County’s
success from the start. In the summer possible with support from churches future, and with the agency’s helping
of 2010, the F.I.S.H. 4 Kids program was and organizations such as the Walton hand, it will certainly be a nurturing and
able to deliver 2,100 lunches daily over County Healthcare Foundation, Felker encouraging ride. “You give a man a fish
an 11 week period! Foundation, and Walton Electric Trust. and you feed him for the day, but if you
Knowing how important it is for “This organization is very fortunate teach the man to fish, you feed him for
children to be given a chance to suc- for not having any fear of shutting life,” said Little. “That is the motto we
ceed, the schools and the F.I.S.H. 4 Kids down,” said F.I.S.H. Executive Director live by.”
To learn more about Atlanta Community Food Bank partner agencies, visit ACFB.org.
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Volunteers of the Quarter
The Buis Family
Volunteering is definitely about giving back to the commu- them for delivery to the Community Gardens project. “We
nity. But sometimes it can also be a great way for a family to use this day as a time to get together with lots of family,” said
grab some quality time together! The Buis family epitomizes Fran. “Kevin’s brothers and sister, father and step mother all
this idea. Kevin Buis and his family first volunteered sorting come to the lab and help us separate the seeds. Whoever can
and packing food boxes in the Product Rescue Center here make it will come. Then we usually have a family dinner at our
at the Food Bank a few years ago. As first time volunteers, house.”
they were required to participate in a training session so they This is a great example of a family who is not only teaching
would know how to determine which foods could be kept their children the importance of helping their community but
and which needed to be thrown out. The training also in- also the importance of spending quality time with their family
cluded a video which provided information about some of the in a fun way.
Food Bank’s other projects. As Kevin heard about the Com- The Buis family donates a pickup truck load of vegetable
munity Gardens project, an idea popped into his head. seeds two or three times a year, and those seeds help provide
You see, Kevin’s company tests commercial seeds, and they fresh produce to many people who might not otherwise have
were throwing away thousands of seeds regularly. He imme- the money to purchase it for their families.
diately thought about how he could help others by donating We salute the Buis family for their support and the creative
old sample seeds –waste product to them that normally ended way they give back to the community.
up in the trash. Kevin contacted Fred Conrad, the Food Bank’s
Community Gardens project manager, and offered to donate
his company’s sample vegetable seeds for use in the gardens.
Fred was grateful for the offer and accepted immediately.
Now Kevin just needed to figure out how he was going to
sort and package all of those seeds! He knew his family was
the kind to donate their time, so he decided to ask for their
help. Thus began a regular family gathering for the Buis fam-
ily. For the past four years, Kevin, his wife Fran and their two
children, 11 year old Mark and 10 year old Emily, pick one day
every couple of months to come together with Kevin’s extend-
ed family to sort and package the vegetable seeds, preparing
That’s not a refrigerator the Buis family is standing next to, but rather a “germinator.” The
temperature controlled machine, also known as a daylight box, simulates the natural habitat
for seeds in the field. It lights up and rises in temperature during the day, then grows dark
and lowers in temperature at night. (l-r): Mark, Kevin and Emily Buis.
For more information about the various volunteer opportunities at the Food Bank
visit ACFB.org and click the “Volunteer” button.
5
Hunger Walk/Run 2011
March 13, 2011 marked an incredible day for Atlanta. An estimated 13,000 people arrived at Turner
Field on this beautiful spring day in an effort to ensure everyone in our community has enough food for a
healthy, active life. A BIG THANK YOU from the Atlanta Community Food Bank and HWR 2011 ben-
efiting partners Episcopal Charities Foundation, Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, Lutheran Services
of Georgia, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta and St. Vincent de Paul Society. If you walked, ran, volun-
teered, sponsored or donated, YOU have done something tangible to put food on the tables of people
in need. Thanks to you, we have raised over $450,000 for hunger relief!
Thank you, Hunger Walk/Run 2011 sponsors!
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Looking for a creative way to give back to your community
without impacting your bank account? We have just the thing.
Gardening! Growing your own fruits and vegetables not only
helps supplement your food supply; it can also be a great way
to help those in need.
Fresh produce is not as readily available as nonperishable
food, so our partner agencies have less of it to offer their cli-
ents. Knowing that fresh fruits and vegetables are an impor-
tant part of a nutritious diet, the Food Bank has always looked
for ways to get more of it in the hands of those who can’t af-
ford to buy it. One big step towards this goal was the creation
of our Community Gardens project in 1995.
The Community Gardens project brings volunteers and
neighbors in low income communities together, empowering
residents to grow their own fruits and vegetables. The project
also encourages produce donations through the annual Plant a
Row for the Hungry campaign.
In addition, the Food Bank manages the WIC Tapestry
Garden, helping mothers with young children ages five and Atlanta Botanical Garden’s “Edible Garden”
The Gift of Gardening
under as part of the WIC (Women with Infants and Children) determined a new parking facility would be built, ABG Horti-
federal nutrition program. The Tapestry Garden’s current culture Director Mildred Fockele suggested the existing 1-acre
location in historic Ormewood Park was donated to the Food sunny parking lot, and it turned out to be the perfect spot.
Bank by the Tapestry Land Association, a neighborhood group The produce grown in the Edible Garden is used for classes
which bought the land 40 years ago. The group couldn’t use and demonstrations, but when there’s extra, it’s donated to
the entire tract of land and wanted to put it to use for some- the Food Bank. “Donating the excess produce to the Atlanta
thing that would benefit others beyond their community. So Community Food Bank just seemed like a natural fit to us,”
they collectively decided to ask the Food Bank if we would said Tracy McClendon, director of education at the Atlanta
be interested in using the land. The answer was a resounding Botanical Garden. “We know the Food Bank has the relation-
“yes”! The vegetables grown in the Tapestry Garden are given ships and know-how to quickly get fresh produce to people
to WIC recipients at special Farmers Markets in Marietta and who need it.”
Douglasville. To receive the produce, the women simply turn Want to get in on the action? Participate in the Plant a Row
in a special WIC market voucher. for the Hungry campaign! “Backyard” gardeners, community
Another group finding a unique way to help is the Atlanta gardeners and farmers can help by planting an extra row or
Botanical Garden (ABG). In May of 2010, ABG opened simply donating excess produce. For a list of organizations ac-
its Edible Garden. During the planning process, ABG staff cepting donations throughout the growing season, visit www.
members were looking for a site for the garden. When it was ACFB.org/projects/community_garden.
7
Together We Can
Few periods of change have been as dramatic for the Food – in great detail and with passion – about the difficulties this
Bank, our partner agencies, and the hungry people they serve, time of economic distress has delivered.
as the prolonged economic downturn of the last three years. Ernesta Ingram, executive director of the Southwest Emer-
During this time, Georgia unemployment rose more than five gency Ecumenical Assistance Center described the effect of
percent pushing an estimated 240,000 new people out of work. hunger on the West End community as “a regularly recurring
Today, the unemployment rate remains above 10% with almost natural disaster than no one talks about.” Rising need has
500,000 Georgians now jobless. placed a greater strain on already limited resources. Many
Individuals who are not working or families that have lost others echoed her concerns: Do we decrease the amount of
a portion of their income, are at much greater risk of hunger. food given to clients? Do we reduce the number of hours we’re
Not surprisingly, more and more of them have been seeking open for services? Do we completely eliminate programs?
food assistance from our partner agencies. In fact, distribution Thirty miles to the north along I-85, we met up with Linda
of food to our partners is up almost 70% over the last three Mann who directs the food pantry at Cross Pointe Church in
years. Duluth. She’s seen first hand the significant shifts in the types
Traditionally, families and individuals would come to food of clients who come in for food – unemployed and employed.
pantries or community kitchens in moments of calamity “The working class is now hungry,” said Mann. “Some can still
looking for emergency food assistance to help them through a pay their bills, but they need help making ends meet.”
period of unusual need – they were in a crisis, but most would As so many families are seeking help for the first time in
come out of it and land back on their feet. The Great Reces- their lives, they are often unsure of where to turn. They are
sion has considerably changed the landscape. Not only has grateful when they find a place that not only provides food but
the number of hungry people increased, but they consistently also a large dose of compassion.
need more assistance for longer periods of time. Agencies For Cross Pointe volunteer counselor Nery Schlenker-
have had to shift into high gear, constantly putting out as many Espinoza, compassion and caring are key ingredients to
fires as possible, but rarely being able to extinguish the flames. serving in this new season of need. “It’s about more than
As it became clear the heightened need would not be food,” said Schlenker-Espinoza. “Food is the way we are getting
going away anytime soon, we at the Food Bank began asking to their soul, their spirit. We have a group of women who all
ourselves some serious questions about how our partner ride in one van every month. They’re so excited for this time
agencies could continue to respond to the demands. How together, they’re singing when they arrive! They come happy
were they handling the growing number of people showing up and they leave happy.” She thrives on her twice weekly shifts
at their doors? What barriers to meeting their needs were they at the pantry and her clients are visibly moved by their time
struggling to overcome? What could we do to help empower with her. “Sometimes it’s just finding somebody else who
them to overcome some of those barriers? really cares and is willing to help them with a smile,” she said.
In order to answer these questions, we launched a project Elmer Villatoro, a 16 year old Meadowcreek High School
called the Agency Study. A primary aspect of the study was student, came to Cross Pointe with his mom over a year ago
a series of focus groups where we talked face to face with 350 seeking food assistance. He started volunteering at the pantry “Sometimes we just need to be
individuals representing 225 of our 700 partner agencies about that same day and hasn’t stopped. “I usually come every week.
reminded that we’re not alone.”
the challenges to serving their communities. They spoke up I translate, pack boxes, and take food to people’s cars,” said
- Bennie Boyd, Director of Social Ministry,
Greenforest Community Baptist Church
8
Together We Can
The Power of Collaboration
Villatoro as he rolled out a cart of groceries. “It’s fun. I like
helping out.”
Again and again, our agencies were telling us that the
increased needs have heightened their desire to help, regard-
less of the obstacles. One refrain that also ran across the
partner agency network was a growing awareness of the power
of collaboration to positively impact hunger relief efforts on
the neighborhood, community and county level. “We’re too
busy to work together” has changed into “We’re too busy not
to work together.”
Bennie Boyd, director of Social Ministry at Greenforest
Community Baptist Church in South Decatur, said it this
way, “Sometimes we just need to be reminded that we’re
Cross Pointe Church volunteers Nery Schlenker-Espinoza and Guadalupe not alone.” A sentiment echoed 100 miles to the northwest
Marquez take a moment in between clients to read a birthday card given to in Floyd County by Rome Action Ministry’s Dawn Hayes,
Schlenker-Espinoza by pantry director Linda Mann.
“You need to be able to vent, to cheer, to be told that it might
actually get better.”
Andrea Watson, director of Helping Hands of Paulding
County, talks about collaboration like this, “Hunger is a
community problem that needs a community solution - it’s
the community that matters.” For our partner agencies that
community-level solution could manifest itself in a number
of ways, such as resource sharing between local agencies and
coordination of services to provide a network of continuous
support for local families.
Fueled in large part by the passion and dedication we
encountered in our partner agencies, we emerged from these
conversations with a renewed energy and purpose to work
together to increase our collective effectiveness. So much so,
that the information learned in the Agency Study served as
one of the primary sources guiding the direction of ACFB’s
Cross Pointe Church volunteer Elmer Villatoro checks in with volunteer Mona
Huffman to see if his translation skills are needed for the next pantry client. new strategic plan. Working with our partner agencies, we
want to start thinking about what it looks like to position
“Sometimes we just need to be entire communities to be food secure.
reminded that we’re not alone.”
- Bennie Boyd, Director of Social Ministry,
Greenforest Community Baptist Church
9
What’s Cooking at the Food Bank?
Monthly Supper Club
Makes Giving Back Easy
Gather with friends and family for an excellent meal while
supporting the Food Bank. Each month, a different restaurant
hosts Supper Club and donates 20% of the evening’s proceeds
to benefit Atlanta’s Table, the Food Bank’s prepared food res-
cue project. What a great way to try out the best restaurants
in town while supporting hunger relief!
Thanks to last quarter’s host restaurants: Sufi’s in Febru-
ary, Antico Pizza Napoletana in March and Noche in April,
as well as our monthly sponsors CBS Atlanta, Ethic, Inc.,
Jezebel Magazine, and 92.9 davefm.
Share Our Strength’s annual Taste of the Nation event raised
$756,000 for child hunger at the Georgia Aquarium on April
14th. Many thanks to all the participating chefs, restaurants
and supporters! (l-r): 11 Alive’s Fred Kalil and Atlanta & Co.’s
Christine Pullara, and Chef Nan Niyomkul of Nan Thai Fine
Dining and Tamarind Seed.
Our sincere appreciation to those who
organized or participated in these
events and promotions benefiting ACFB
February 1 – April 30, 2011:
4 Square Day
ABS Fine Art & Apparel 2011 Fashion Show
Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
Can you say “Girls’ Night Out”? This group of friends enjoyed a wonderful meal together
at Noche in Vinings for our April Supper Club. Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra “Orchestra’s Feeding
America”
Brad Paisley Concert Fundraiser and Food Drive
“Cocktails and Cans” at Lenox Square Grill with Jezebel
Magazine
“Hockey for Huggies” Atlanta Thrashers Diaper Drive and
Fundraiser
GAMPI’s “The Gathering”
George Winston Concert Fundraiser and Food Drive
“Give & Get” at The Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic
Hall, Booth, Smith and Slover Annual Pig Roast
Parent Palooza
Publix “Food for Sharing”
Share our Strength’s “Taste of the Nation”
STOMP Out Hunger
Sign up tO reCeive the Supper CluB e-invitAtiOn
Widespread Panic’s 25th Anniversary Celebration Concert &
eACh mOnth SO yOu dOn’t miSS Out!
Food Drive
ACFB.org/events/supper_club
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