News from the Food Bank Coalition of SLO County

Food for Thought...

Greetings!

Welcome Friends & Supporters!

The Food Bank not only makes a real difference in the lives of those who lack food, but also brings a lot of meaning into the lives of those who help them. If you've ever worked to help feed people, you know what I'm talking about. You see the faces of hunger and you feel the anxiety of their lives. You feel the sense of relief and hope they have when they see the great, healthy food available to them.

Whether you've actually worked at a soup kitchen or a Food Bank distribution site, you should be enriched by the experience of being a donor. Yes, you make a difference in peoples' lives, but are you enjoying the difference it makes in your own life? I'm not talking about feeling less guilty because you helped somebody. If we give because we feel guilty, we miss the point of giving. Rather, it has to do with joy. The joy of giving is the greatest joy of all. Who experiences the greatest difference in their lives, the giver or the receiver? I invite you to think about that with your donations of time or money, by watching these YouTube videos created by a Cal Poly marketing class. As grateful as our recipients are, it shouldn't compare to the joy of being the helper.

Carl Hansen, Executive Director

A Community Collaboration

Let's Move SLO is a community awareness project created to inform people about the benefits of increased physical activity and healthy eating. The project, created by HealSLO, a collaborative effort of over 30 local organizations, including the Food Bank that address the childhood obesity epidemic which was an initiative that grew from Michelle Obama.

Beginning March 7th, HEAL SLO members will reach out to remind, inspire and encourage our community to strive for a healthier lifestyle. Our community will be encouraged to visit HealSLO and "Commit" to either "Move More," or "Eat Healthfully & Locally." One of the highlighted events is a gleaning with GleanSLO. It will introduce your family to the importance of volunteerism, healthy food and our community by joining a weekend harvest!

Big Hearts Offer Big Rewards

During the month of February the Food Bank partnered with Food 4 Less in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Atascadero for the 4th Annual Have A Heart Food Drive. Generous donations were collected all throughout the month, raising $19,030. Food 4 Less contributed to the total bringing it to an amazing $20,000! This donation will allow us to provide an incredible 140,000 meals. With 44,000 people hungry or eligible for food assistance in San Luis Obispo County, your heartfelt contributions bring us one step closer to achieving the Food Bank's mission to ensure that no one in our county goes hungry.

Spring Food Drive is Almost Here...

The 10th Annual KCOY Spring Food Drive is set to kick off on Tuesday, March 20th. We are excited to announce our new partnerships with Rabobank & Golden Hills Auto Center.

All Rabobank locations in San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara Counties will be excepting monetary donations for the Food Bank and Good Samaritan Shelter of Santa Maria & Lompoc.

Golden Hills Auto Center will be donating $25 of each car sale during the spring food drive.

From Your Friends,

Food Bank Coalition of SLO County

CAFB

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In This Issue

Let's Move SLO

Big Hearts

KCOY Spring Food Drive

Blog

Quick Links

Hunger Hurts Everyone

Hunger Hurts Everyone is a social media awareness campaign featuring a series of videos of clients, employees and volunteers involved with the Food Bank Coalition. "We hope the community will take away from the videos the fact that hunger does hurt everyone," ... Continue reading →...»

www.slofoodbank.org

Paso Warehouse

2212 Golden Hill Rd.

(805) 238-4664

Oceano Warehouse

1820 Railroad Rd.

(805) 481-4652

Hunger Facts

2011 Need was the highest ever.

1 in 6 Reached out for help.

400,000 Incidents of Service were Reported.

Every $1 donated provides 10 lbs. of nutritious food or 7 meals.

40% of Food Bank recipients are under the age of 18.

Veggies

Did you know that 47% of what we distribute is fresh produce?

Harvest Bag

Harvest Bag is one of our direct distribution programs. Weekly county-wide distributions serve over 9,600 meals.

GleanSLO

Glean SLO

GleanSLO is a new program under the Food Bank. Uniting farmers, health advocates, food providers, backyard gardeners and community volunteers together to harvest and donate produce gleanings
into our local food system.