Registration Update: Who's ON THE LIST?
  The list of companies, schools and community groups committed to fighting this spring continues to grow! Check out the Operation Feed web pages for an up-to-date scrolling list of everyone who's already on board. Do you notice a peer company, vendor or neighbor organization who's missing? Encourage them to join Operation Feed 2011! We'll need even more help from local businesses, associations, clubs, families and individuals as the community works to raise 5 million meals this spring. Completing a short online registration form is all it takes to get started. When everyone does a little, the Foodbank can do a lot! |
New April Training & Information Sessions Added
Operation Feed Training & Information Sessions are coming soon! For the early bird campaigns, a first round is set for the second week of March:
- Tuesday, March 8, 3-4:30 p.m.,
- Wednesday, March 9, 12:30-2 p.m.,
- Thursday, March 10, 8:30-10 a.m.
For groups running later drives, we've also added a second round of April sessions:
- Tuesday, April 12, 3-4:30 p.m.,
- Wednesday, April 13, 12:30-2 p.m.,
- Thursday, April 14, 8:30-10 a.m.
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. |
Engage Associates with New Education and Events Emails
Based on Campaign Coordinator feedback, educating associates is one of the most effective ways to increase engagement and participation in Operation Feed. To help keep your employees and members in-the-know, we're launching a new communications tool this year. The Education and Events update will share stories about the fight against hunger, demonstrate the impact of Operation Feed contributions, and highlight ways to get involved. As a member of our Campaign Bites distribution list, you'll receie these messages automatically. Leverage them to support your campaign by forwarding the emails inside your organization, using the content in newsletters, or encouraging associates to sign-up to receive the update directly (there's a sign-up form on Operation Feed web pages as well). The messages will be distributed through Constant Contact, a secure email system (we'll never share addresses with any other parties, and the Safe Unsubscribe feature makes it easy to opt out of the list). Thanks for your help in getting the word out about Operation Feed and building awareness for the campaign in the larger community!
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You're Invited: Cakes for a Cause Brings Sweet Start to Operation Feed
 Cakes for a Cause is calling all sweet tooths for a fun and delicious start to Operation Feed 2011! On Tuesday, March 1, central Ohio caterers, wedding planners and event professionals are again joining forces to offer a fantastic evening of mixing and mingling, highlighted by silent and live auctions featuring all sorts of treats. This year's event will feature food from Cameron Mitchell Catering, Made from Scratch, and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams; a Sweet Victory Competition, with bakers competing for your vote; and incredible auction offerings, including all the sweet treats you could want, great hotel packages, massage packages and more. Monica Day from NBC4 will be on hand to emcee and Jeni Britton Bauer from Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams will award the Golden Spatula competition award! The 6 - 9 p.m. gathering takes place at Mid-Ohio Foodbank, and tickets - on sale now - are expected to go fast. We hope that you or a representative from your organization will be able to attend! Visit columbuscakesforacause.com/ to learn more. |
Raise Meals for Your Campaign with the Columbus Blue Jackets
 CBJ is offering Operation Feed participants a very easy way to raise meals for your campaign! Sell tickets to the Blue Jackets vs. Sabres game (Saturday, April 9th, at 7 p.m.), and up to $15 of each ticket sold will go back to your Operation Feed effort. Tickets are sold via internet link, and the Blue Jackets will keep track of the amount your group sells. You can forward the link to friends, family and co-workers to have them purchase tickets via this special offer. The Operation Feed organization selling the most tickets will have a picture taken on the CBJ Ice after the game! To sign-up, just send an email with "Blue Jackets" in the subject line to operationfeed@midohiofoodbank.org. CBJ will then provide your ticket link and instructional info. Hope to see you and your associates out at the game on April 9th! |
Steering Committees Work To Strengthen Operation Feed
The Kitchen Cabinet
Three years ago, in response to feedback from community focus groups, the Operation Feed leadership model changed significantly. Traditionally led by a campaign chair and co-chair, this advice led us to develop a larger steering committee that we coined a Kitchen Cabinet.
The charge of the Kitchen Cabinet is to provide leadership and direction for Mid-Ohio Foodbank's Operation Feed campaign and help Foodbank staff double the number of meals raised during this community-wide effort. Cabinet members serve as advocates for Operation Feed, they help determine strategic direction for the campaign and they assist in growth of the campaign through a variety of recruiting efforts.
Monthly meetings begin with a Foodbank Fact designed to help members better understand the overall operation of the Foodbank and their role with Operation Feed in the "big picture." This month, the committee will tour a food pantry to see and hear first-hand how their efforts help feed hungry people.
The Kitchen Cabinet is a valuable resource to Operation Feed staff. Their collective wisdom, knowledge and insight have helped advance the campaign and have also led to the development of additional committees (Affinity Groups) that focus on specific long- and short-term tasks to further campaign efforts. To learn more about the work of the Kitchen Cabinet and who's involved, visit the Operation Feed web pages.
Marketing Committee
One of the three Affinity Groups currently working to support Operation Feed is the Marketing Committee. After a very productive first year, this group has been hard at work preparing for the 2011 Campaign. Its two main goals for 2011 are increasing reach and effectiveness of the Virtual Food Drive tool and building community buzz around Operation Feed, particularly through social media. Several projects are in the works to support these priorities (you'll be hearing more about them this spring!):- 2011 Photo Contest: Campaigns will be encouraged to submit photos showing how they "Rally to Tally" (our 2011 Campaign theme) for Operation Feed. Details will be available at Training and Information sessions and in the Coordinator Tool Kit.
- "Rally to Tally" Videos: Creative ways to showcase winning "Rally To Tally" videos from last year's contest to build buzz in the community are being explored. Stay tuned for information about where you'll be able to spot them.
- Enhanced Social Media Strategy: We're looking for ways to better partner with your organizations through Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and use these social media channels to personalize the issue of hunger for associates. Stay tuned for specific ways you can help!
- Building the Virtual Food Drive: To help increase the effectiveness of this tool, we'll be reaching out to membership groups who are well-suited for a virtual drive, and we'll be encouraging current campaigns to explore using the it to involve friends and family in raising additional meals for Operation Feed.
- Event Support: The marketing team will continue to provide support for special projects. Operation YP events benefit from design and promotions assistance, and planning is currently underway for significant new contributions to the Central Ohio Restaurant Association's Foodfight, which you'll hear more about in the coming months.
In addition to these projects, the committee is working on Coordinator Tool Kit enhancements and a brand new post card piece to compliment the posters and tri-fold brochure currently in use. The group meets every two weeks through the campaign and is open to new members, particularly those with web design or programming experience. If you or one of your colleagues might be interested, please email amurphy@midohiofoodbank.org.
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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!
Uno Chicago Grill - Doughraisers (March 11, May 8)
 Uno's will offer a tasty way to raise dough for Operation Feed this spring. On Friday, March 11, visit the Dublin location for the first of two "doughraiser" days. Just present this coupon, and Uno's will donate up to 20% of your check (dine-in or takeout included) to Operation Feed! Round up a group and go for lunch, happy hour or dinner to raise meals for families in need. A second "doughraiser" is scheduled for Mother's Day on Sunday, May 8 - stay tuned for details.
Physis Films Showcase (March 24)  On March 24th, Physis Films is proud to present - in association with Gateway Film Center - the Physis Films Showcase. The night includes a screening of four original films ("Monday" - a film by Josh Smith; "Reincarnate" - a film by Trey Kauffman; "Life Beyond Death" - a film by Julian Cicone; and "Measured" - a film by Joshua Kubicek), in addition to prize drawings AND a food drive benefitting Operation Feed! Just bring one non-perishable food item to be donated and walk away with one of the movie posters for FREE! Doors open at 7:30 p.m., the show begins at 8 p.m. Visit physisfilms.com for all of the details.
Max and Erma's Dine Out Promotion (April 13 and 14)  Visit hometown favorite Max & Erma's for a great meal and a great cause! Columbus area locations (not valid at Crowne Plaza) are helping to feed the hungry in our community when you dine with them Wed., April 13, or Thur., May 14. Just present this special ticket (or mention Operation Feed) and 20% of your lunch, happy hour, dinner or carryout sales will be donated back to Operation Feed. Visit www.maxandermas.com for locations and menus.
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
- Noodles & Company Mac & Cheese Drive - February 20-21
- 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
- Uno Chicago Grille "Doughraiser" (Tuttle Crossing Location) - Friday, March 11
- WBNS 10TV's Dedicate the Day To Hunger - Tuesday, March 15
- Ongoing Workplace/Organizational Campaigns - March-June
- Columbus Blue Jackets Fundraiser - Saturday, April 9
- Coordinator Training (Session D) - Tuesday, April 12
- Coordinator Training (Session E) - Wednesday, April 13
- Coordinator Training (Session F) - Thursday, April 14
- Max & Erma's Citywide Dine Out Days - Wednesday-Thursday, April 13-14
- Uno Chicago Grille "Doughraiser" (Tuttle Crossing Location) - Sunday, May 8
- Letter Carriers' "Stamp Out Hunger" Food Drive - Saturday, May 14
- Central Ohio Restaurant Association's Foodfight 2011 - Tuesday, June 21
- Official End of the Campaign - Thursday, June 30
- Campaign Finale - TBA (August/September)
Stay tuned for additional 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.
- Share new Education and Events emails with your associates.
- Help identify someone to represent your organization at Cakes for a Cause on March 1.
- Sign-up to sell Blue Jackets tickets to raise meals for your campaign.
- 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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