We're Counting on You!
 As we enter 2011, unemployment and underemployment continue to present challenges for households throughout central and eastern Ohio. Many families are faced with a tough choice as they struggle to make ends meet: pay for housing, transportation, medicine, utility costs ... or buy groceries to put food on the table. The need for emergency food is continuing to increase at an alarming rate: - Demand has climbed 44% over the past four years.
And society's most vulnerable members continue to be most at risk: - 36% of requests at pantries are for children.
- 13% of requests come from senior citizens.
Mid-Ohio Foodbank works with grocers, food companies, Ohio farmers and community partners (like you!) to collect and distribute food across central and eastern Ohio to people who desperately need it. In order to get through these hard times, Mid-Ohio Foodbank must depend on neighbors helping neighbors. That's why Operation Feed - the community's response to hunger - is now more important than ever. This year the community is rallying to tally 5 million meals, and to do that we'll need everyone's help. Please join us by bringing together those in your organization in support of Operation Feed. We're counting on you!
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A New Year, and a New Look
Though hard to imagine with below freezing temperatures, spring will be here before we know it, and we're gearing up for the Foodbank's 31st annual Operation Feed drive. New this year is an enhancement to how we interact with you - our loyal community partners. We're transitioning to an email system through Constant Contact, which will allow us to effectively manage communications and keep better in touch with those in the community who ensure the success of Operation Feed year after year.
- Campaign Bites, with an evolving new design, will continue to provide updates for anyone coordinating an Operation Feed drive--delivering campaign news, meal-raising strategies and recognition of Operation Feed participants.
- An Education and Events update will also be launched this year to help build awareness in the larger community of Operation Feed and hunger issues. Based on your feedback, educating associates is one of the most effective ways to increase engagement and participation. During Campaign time, this email will offer stories about the fight against hunger and the impact of Operation Feed contributions. We encourage you to leverage these educational messages as a tool to support your campaign. Watch for information on how your associates can sign up.
Thanks for your support of Operation Feed. We look forward to interacting with all of you in the coming months!
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Operation Feed 2011: Who's ON THE LIST?
 Check out the Operation Feed web pages for an up-to-date scrolling list of everyone who has joined the fight again hunger this year. Is your group ON THE LIST? If not - take a moment to confirm participation by filling out a short online registration form. If so - thank you! As of today, Operation Feed is 118 organizations strong. We truly appreciate all the companies, schools and community groups who signed up early, helping to get the drive off to a great start. And congratulations to Park National Bank, lucky winner of our early registration contest! They'll receive a pizza party to support their Operation Feed campaign, courtesy of Papa John's. Feeling spirited? Challenge your peers and neighbors to help get even more local businesses, associations, clubs, families and individuals ON THE LIST. When everyone does a little, the Foodbank can do a lot! Operation Feed truly is a community-wide effort, and we'll need everyone's help as we work to reach our 5 million meal goal. Thanks for your support.
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Coordinator Training and Information Sessions Are Coming Soon
Attending a Training & Information Session is a great way to kick-start your Operation Feed effort! Join us at the Foodbank to learn about Operation Feed and gather strategies for holding a successful drive. Food collection boxes and print materials for your meal-raising efforts will be available, and there will be opportunities to network and share ideas with Coordinators from organizations across the community. Each session will run for 90 minutes (snacks provided), and a tour of the new Gold LEED certified Foodbank facility will be available following the meeting. A first round of training is set for the second week of March (stay tuned for additional dates to be announced):
- Tuesday, March 8, 3-4:30 p.m.,
- Wednesday, March 9, 12:30-2 p.m.,
- Thursday, March 10, 8:30-10 a.m.
Sign-up by visiting http://operationfeed.eventbrite.com/. Please feel free to invite others involved with your campaign. Hope to see you there!
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Support the Foodbank This Winter
 Faveroo Deals = Foodbank Meals (Now - February 15)
Mid-Ohio Foodbank has been chosen as a beneficiary for the deal site Faveroo.com. The site offers discounted deals from local businesses. Customers purchase the discounted deal, and 3% of every sale benefits a nonprofit. From now through February 15th, Mid-Ohio Foodbank is the lucky charity! Visit their website at www.faveroo.com to find out more.
Pound for Pound Challenge (Currently Underway)  For the third consecutive year, Feeding America and NBC's The Biggest Loser will partner with General Mills, Subway and others to encourage Americans to lose weight through the Pound for Pound Challenge. The program allows anyone to shed pounds along with contestants by pledging their weight-loss goals at www.pfpchallenge.com. For every pound pledged, the Pound for Pound Challenge will donate 11 cents to Feeding America, up to a maximum donation of $1,040,000. Feeding America will then distribute the money to the local food banks chosen by consumers at registration. Please help us by signing-up now and encouraging others to pledge! (And don't forget ... all you have to do is pledge. Even if you don't lose a pound, the Foodbank can still benefit). Help us spread the word and up our donation!
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fudha - good.eating. (Ongoing)
Fudha is pioneering a unique way to connect people heading out to restaurants with good deals for a good cause: fighting hunger. The Columbus-based internet startup offers discounts from locally-owned restaurants, donating revenue from every meal to support families served by Mid-Ohio Foodbank. Fudha offers members one dining deal a day (which can be used like a coupon), until time runs out or the maximum number of deals is sold (whichever comes first), and then they offer a new deal the next day. Membership is free at www.fudha.com. For every Fudha sold (that's what they call their deals), the site donates $1 to the Foodbank. Fudha features deals from many local dining favorites. See what's in store by signing up today.
Additional Events and Promotions To learn about upcoming events and promotions, you can always visit the Foodbank's Events page at www.midohiofoodbank.org/news-events/events. |
Key Campaign Dates
- Operation Feed 2011 Begins - Tuesday, March 1
- Cakes for a Cause - Tuesday, March 1
- Coordinator Training (Session A) - Tuesday, March 8
- Coordinator Training (Session B) - Wednesday, March 9
- Coordinator Training (Session C) - Thursday, March 10
- WBNS 10TV's Dedicate the Day To Hunger - Tuesday, March 15
- Ongoing Workplace/Organizational Campaigns - March-June
- Columbus Blue Jackets Fundraiser - Saturday, April 9
- Letter Carriers' "Stamp Out Hunger" Food Drive - Saturday, May 14
- Official End of the Campaign - Thursday, June 30
- Campaign Finale - TBA (August/September)
Stay tuned for additional training and event dates to be announced in the coming weeks!
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Next Steps
- Register now for the 2011 Campaign, and see who else is ON THE LIST.
- Sign-up for a Campaign Coordinator Training and Information Session.
- Get an early start on your drive by recruiting committee members to help, reserving meeting rooms, or meeting with leadership to secure budget funds.
- Talk about Operation Feed with your friends, colleagues, neighbors ... and encourage them to get involved.
- Get ready to rally your associates for an outstanding 2011 Campaign effort!
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