News from FFCC!

September 28, 2012

WORKING TOGETHER TO FIGHT HUNGER!

HELP STILL NEEDED

Last week we introduced you to Kids Around the World (KATW), a non-profit organization based in Chicago. Like us, KATW has been working to fight hunger in many areas around the world. Recently, they graciously made a shipping container full of food (300,000 meals) available to FFCC for shipment to Tanzania. The only thing FFCC has to cover is the shipping cost for the food. The funds needed to cover the shipping cost is $5,000. These meals will be a tremendous gift for the families we serve in Tanzania. Thank you Kids Around the World for this generous gift!

Thank you for the donations that you sent last week to help cover the shipping! But we still need some more help. Would you help us get the word out to anyone who might be interested in helping?Donations towards the shipping fees can be made directly to FFCC. Please write 'Tanz Shipping Cost' in the memo section of the check (mailing address below) or in the note section of the Paypal form (www.ffccsd.org).

Mail donations to: Friends & Family Community Connection (FFCC), 12463 Rancho Bernardo Road, PMB #158.San Diego, CA 92128

A NIGHT OUT AT VINTANA

FFCC's IMPACT IN HAITI GROWS

Please join us Thursday evening, November 29th, 7:00PM, at Vintana in the Lexus Centre in Escondido to hear about a unique education program that is changing the lives of students in Haiti. Earlier this year, FFCC launched "The Ayiti (Haiti) Academy" as a means to provide much needed support for students that strongly desire the opportunity of higher education and change in their country. These students are remarkable individuals that have set themselves apart from others despite the many obstacles that are present in Haiti. Come hear about these students as we celebrate their accomplishments and share with you their desires and the ways that you can partner with them to achieve success.

Change begins with you! Won't you join us for a night of fun, silent auctions, and delicious refreshments served by Vintana?

If you would like more information on this event or about the Ayiti Academy, please contact Norma Silva (njsilva@yahoo.com).

MAYOR HIGGINSON AND THE CITY OF POWAY

JOIN SAN DIEGO'S FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER

On September 8th, the City of Poway kicked off its annual Poway Days with a parade and a food packaging event. Poway Mayor, Don Higginson, called it "a truly remarkable day, bringing over 2,000 volunteers from Poway and beyond for a worthwhile cause." Because of the impact that Mayor Higginson saw Poway make that day, he has written letters to every mayor in San Diego County challenging them to consider hosting such an event in their community. In the spirit of friendly competition, he has dared them to raise the bar and to package more than the 200,000 meals that were packed in Poway. He sent the letter to Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Oceanside, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista. Mayor Higginson also stated, "the City of Poway plans to partner with FFCC in the near future to host a County-wide food packaging event with the goal of preparing 4-5 million meals." What a phenomenal impact that would make in our 'Fight Against Hunger'! Thank you Mayor Higginson and the City of Poway for joining in this fight!

VOLUNTEER SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE!

FFCC's 42ND FOOD PACKAGING EVENT

OCTOBER 6, 2012

On Saturday, October 6^th from 10 am to 1 pm, we will work together to pack 60,000 meals.This is Real Living Lifestyles third annual event with FFCC and is open for public registration. We have several spots to fill, so click here to register today!

The event will be held in Carmel Valley at the Torrey Hills Marketplace. The address is 11155 East Ocean Air Drive, San Diego, 92130.

Please bring over-the-counter medication donations to the event to help support FFCC's upcoming medical trip to Haiti in November. Click here for a list of needed items.

THANKSGIVING FOR

LOCAL FAMILIES IN NEED

Last year, FFCC blessed 400 local families with a Thanksgiving meal. Can you help us this year by providing a box or bag filled with the below items? Donations will be collected on or before November 12th. Sign up now to let us know if you can support a local family by emailing Becky at bpalenske@san.rr.com.

Items in need:

Cranberry Sauce (canned)
Canned Corn
Stuffing
Corn Bread Mix
Canned Sweet Potatoes/Yams
Canned Green Beans
Gravy (Canned, Jar or Mix)
Aluminum Foil
Small bottle of cooking oil
$15-$25 Gift Certificates to Albertsons, Stater Bros or Vons for turkey and/or fresh food items

NOTE: Extra donations of gift cards are greatly appreciated as we seem to run short of these when putting together the family packages.

Please contact Becky (858)538-2492 or bpalenske@san.rr.com to arrange drop off to Dream Dinners in Poway or another location.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL WITH FFCC TO HAITI THIS SPRING?

FFCC will be making two trips to Haiti this next spring. The first trip is scheduled to correlate with the PUSD's spring break, March 22-30. High school and college students, we'd love to have you join us if you are interested. Even if you are not a student, you are welcome to participate!

Our second trip will be the following week, March 29-April 7. This trip will have a medical focus. We will be hosting a medical conference for Haitian doctors and nurses, as well as a clinic for the poor & needy people in the area that are in need of medical care.

If you are interested in either of these trips, join us for our informational meetings. Contact, Tina Socha for details & location of meetings Tina.socha@san.rr.com.

Upcoming informational meetings:

Haiti Trip #14 (March 22-30)- Informational Meeting, Tuesday Oct 2^nd @ 6:30 pm
Haiti Trip #15 (March 29-April 7)- Informational Meeting Monday Oct 15 @ 6:30 pm

In This Issue

Vintana Fundraiser

Mayor Higginson Challenge

Thanksgiving Needs

Haiti Travel Opportunity

You make a difference!
Thank you so much for your gifts of time, talent, and financial support!

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Upcoming Events at a Glance

Click here to view a calendar of FFCC Food Packaging Events for 2012

41st Food Packaging Event (private event) September 30