Kick-Off Operation Feed March 1 at Cakes for a Cause
  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. Columbus Underground also highlighted Cakes for a Cause recently in its Philanthropy Friday feature - click here to check it out! |
Training & Information Sessions Begin March 8
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. |
"Tell Us Your Story" Project Helps Personalize the Fight Against Hunger
To support Operation Feed's educational efforts, the Marketing Committee is partnering with students to bring an exciting addition to this year's Campaign: the "Tell Us Your Story" Project. As part of the English 269 course at The Ohio State University (a collaborative class between OSU and Metro High School that meets at the Foodbank), students have been creating "Tell Us Your Story" videos featuring Operation Feed coordinators and participants as well as volunteers and agency representatives. Video participants explain what it means for them (or their organization) to be involved in the fight against hunger, in hopes of motivating others to do the same. In addition to filming the videos, the OSU/Metro students were charged with the task of editing them down to 30-40 seconds of footage, which will be posted on Facebook and on the Foodbank's YouTube channel. The "Tell Us Your Story" videos will appear throughout this year's Operation Feed campaign as part of the Education & Events email update (click here to join the mailing list). Be on the lookout for the first video to be coming soon! |
Blue Jackets Tickets Are Going Fast. Don't Miss Out!
 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 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. Tickets to this game are selling fast - act now to get in on the action. Hope to see you and your associates out at the game on April 9th! |
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! |
Support the Foodbank This Winter
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., April 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
- 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
- The Duel at Darby Duathlon - Sunday, April 10
- 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! |
Next Steps
- Help identify someone to represent your organization at Cakes for a Cause on March 1.
- Sign-up for a Campaign Coordinator Training and Information Session.
- Share new Education & Events emails and "Tell Us Your Story" videos with your associates.
- Don't miss out on the opportunity to sell Blue Jackets tickets to raise meals for your campaign.
- See who else is ON THE LIST for Operation Feed 2011.
- 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!
|
|
