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Registration Update: on Our Way to 300 Campaigns
Operation Feed 2011 is off to a record-breaking start. Momentum continues to grow, and we're well on our way to having 300 organizations working together to fight hunger this spring. A special thank you to all the groups who have pledged to help!
 Visit Operation Feed's web pages for an up-to-date scrolling list of all organizations on board this year. Do you notice a peer company, vendor or neighbor organization who's missing? Encourage them to join Operation Feed 2011! Completing a short online registration form is all it takes to get started. With everyone's help, we'll reach our goal of raising 5 million meals for neighbors in need. When everyone does a little, the Foodbank can do a lot! |
"About Hunger & Resilience" Art Exhibit, Sponsored by Nationwide
See the faces of domestic hunger and listen to the stories of 50 individuals as they struggled to find the right words to describe their personal experiences with hunger. Artist Michael Nye uses captivating photographs and audio recordings to tell the story of hunger in America in his powerful art exhibit, About Hunger & Resilience, sponsored by Nationwide Insurance. Nye spent four and a half years traveling the country, listening to and learning from these individuals. With this exhibit, Nye gives a voice to the people who are often the least heard and most forgotten in the community.
Groups may view the exhibit on the second floor of Three Nationwide Plaza from May 17-27 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.). Operation Feed campaigns can utilize About Hunger & Resilience to educate members of their organizations about the need for hunger relief in our community and around the country. To make an appointment, please call (614) 249-6729 or email kachurk@nationwide.com. For more information about artist Michael Nye and his exhibit, visit www.michaelnye.org/hunger. |
Welcome to Operation Feed Intern, Katie Riehl!
 Please join us in welcoming Katie Riehl, who will be joining the Operation Feed team as a Writing Intern this spring. As part of the Minor in Professional Writing program at Ohio State, Katie will assist Operation Feed and Mid-Ohio Foodbank with a variety of writing projects, including newsletter articles, news releases, agency features, event promotions and campaign communications. She will also assist the Marketing Committee with other Operation Feed initiatives.
Currently in her last quarter at Ohio State, Katie is graduating in June with a strategic communication major and minors in professional writing and business. With this internship, Katie was hoping to explore the world of nonprofit organizations, and she feels Mid-Ohio Foodbank has been the perfect fit. Katie is excited to be the newest member of the Operation Feed team, and we are thrilled to have her on board! |
Strategic Recruiting & Retention Committee Fosters Campaign Growth
With more than 200 organizations already participating and two months to go in this year's campaign, the Strategic Recruiting & Retention Committee is working hard to grow Operation Feed. Strategic Recruiting & Retention is one of three Affinity Groups assisting the Kitchen Cabinet and supporting campaign efforts. The Kitchen Cabinet, Operation Feed's steering committee, consists of representatives from several local organizations that provide leadership and guidance for the community-wide campaign.
The committee assists in two ways: first, recruiting new organizations in central and eastern Ohio to participate and, second, retaining organizations currently involved by maintaining engagement, strengthening relationships, demonstrating impact of contributions and educating about the need for continued support. Recognizing 60 local companies as valuable prospects for Operation Feed, committee members have prioritized a recruiting list and are diligently working to engage organizations that are unfamiliar with the community-wide drive. The highest priority of this committee is keeping current organizations on board for future drives by working to grow and strengthen existing relationships. The committee recently identified 23 organizations to target for next year and is developing a retention strategy for those groups.
With its initial focus leading up to this year's campaign just on 2011, the Strategic Recruiting & Retention Committee is now working on a more calculated level to plan for Operation Feed in future years. Members have developed a calendar of activities and tactics that utilize both Kitchen Cabinet and Foodbank resources for strengthening recruiting and retention efforts and positioning Operation Feed to keep pace with community food needs in the years ahead. |
Leveraging Facebook: "Like" the Foodbank, Help Us Recognize Your Efforts
 Have you visited the Foodbank's page on Facebook? It's a great way to connect with us, stay informed of hunger issues and learn about the great things community peers are doing to fight hunger. We currently have over 2,700 "fans." This free medium is a great way for you to promote your campaign activities and for us to recognize the great work you're doing in support Operation Feed! If there's a member of your group responsible for maintaining your organization's page, please help out by sending them our Using Social Media document. And ... take a minute yourself to click through and "like" us today. Tell your colleagues and Facebook friends, too, and help extend the reach of Operation Feed in the community! |
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: 10TV Dedicates the Day to Hunger
 Focusing on bringing the reality of hunger in Central Ohio to light for its viewers, 10TV aimed to add a fresh perspective to its long-standing Food Parade with this year's Operation Feed event. On March 15, WBNS-10TV, The Ohio News Network and Dispatch Media Group members partnered with the Mid-Ohio Foodbank to kick off Operation Feed with "One Paycheck Away: 10TV Dedicates the Day to Hunger." 
A revealing documentary, "One Paycheck Away," hosted by 10TV's Director of Community Affairs, Angela Pace, focused on the immediate hunger need in our community. It aimed to dispel the myths and stereotypes associated with hunger, covering topics from hunger in local suburbs to the impact of the economy on hunger in Central Ohio. The segment also included information on helping those in need, as well as where to seek assistance if needed.
The event also included a 15 hour fundraising telethon, which aired live following the documentary. 10TV's Andrea Cambern and Jerry Revish hosted the telethon, where Mid-Ohio Foodbank's President and CEO, Matt Habash, helped to answer phones. All donations directly benefited Operation Feed through the 10TV Family Fund.
El Vaquero joined in the spirit of the event by donating 10 percent of all food sales directly to Operation Feed. In just two days, El Vaquero's restaurants raised $4,100. Another partner in the event, Kroger, allowed customers the option of rounding up their shopping totals to donate the difference to Operation Feed, which raised $12,795. Kroger rounded this up to $13,000, which it then matched for a total of $26,000.
With all of its aspects combined, 10TV Dedicates the Day to Hunger raised more than $89,000 for Operation Feed. Thank you 10TV, The Ohio News Network, Dispatch Media Group, El Vaquero, Kroger and all the generous telethon donors for helping us ensure that no one in Central Ohio goes hungry! |
Looking to Liven Up Your Campaign? Try a Video.
Video is a great way to engage your organization in the fight against hunger, and it can help motivate associates to participate in campaign activities! Several Operation Feed video options (each approximately 2 1/2 minutes long) are available this year:
- "Rally to Tally" is an educational video about Operation Feed, which provides statistics about hunger and explains the impact of Mid-Ohio Foodbank's work.
- "When Everyone Does a Little" is a feel-good piece created by Mills James Productions, offering a broad audience appeal to join Operation Feed's collaborative effort to fight hunger.
- Our "Activities" video offers a snapshot of a successful Operation Feed campaign in action--featuring longtime participant, Alliance Data, and its 2010 drive to raise meals through all kinds of creative methods.
Perfect for showing at group meetings, looping on a lobby monitor or posting on your Intranet site, you can access them online or request a CD/DVD copy.
   Access these and other resources--including Coordinator Tool Kits, tri-fold brochures, post cards, posters & food collection boxes--by visiting Operation Feed's Campaign Coordinator Resources page. |
Training & Information Sessions Generate Great Ideas
 The second round of Campaign Coordinator training wrapped-up late last week, adding to the success of the sessions held in March. Overall, more than 150 enthusiastic coordinators participated this year--learning about Operation Feed, networking with one another and hearing about new tools and resources for engaging associates and supporting the Operation Feed effort. There were some very productive round table discussions as well, and the creative ideas shared are compiled here for you to use. Photos from the trainings are posted on our Facebook page--don't forget to tag yourself!
If you didn't have a chance to attend, keep in mind that Operation Feed team members are available to meet with your planning committee or represent the Foodbank at a campaign event. We love to visit and see your activities in action, and it's great to explain the impact of donations or personally thank your associates for supporting Operation Feed! Tours of the new Foodbank facility can be scheduled for your group as well. For questions or more information, contact Joan, Andy or Amber. |
Support Operation Feed This Spring
Jen Chapin Trio Concert (April 20)  Enjoy a night out and feed 20 people! The Jen Chapin Trio will perform on Wednesday, April 20, at The Bluestone. Tickets are $15, but the Foodbank is selling them for a limited time for only $10, with 100% of sales benefiting Operation Feed. To order these special tickets, please call 614-274-7770 or email operationfeed@midohiofoodbank.org with "Jen Chapin tickets" in the subject line. Jen Chapin mixes jazz and urban folk with the funk and soul of the city to create music that searches for community and shared meaning. To learn more about Jen and listen to her music before the show, visit www.jenchapin.com.
Uno Chicago Grill - Doughraisers (May 8)
 Uno's will offer a tasty way to raise "dough" for Operation Feed this spring. On Sunday, May 8 - Mother's Day - visit the Dublin location for the second 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 to celebrate the moms in your life, and go for lunch or dinner to raise meals for families in need. Stamp Out Hunger (May 14)  The National Association of Letter Carriers' "Stamp Out Hunger" drive will take place again on Saturday, May 14. Residents across the United States can place bags of non-perishable food items near their mailboxes. Letter carriers pick up food contributions and deliver them to local food banks. Last year's event raised over 95,000 pounds of food for Operation Feed alone. To learn more about the largest food drive of the year, visit www.helpstampouthunger.com.
Foodfight "Eat Out To Fight Hunger" (June 21)  Now in its third year, Foodfight--eat out to fight hunger is set for June 21. Mark you calendar! Each spring, the Central Ohio Restaurant Association organizes a group of member restaurants that generously volunteer to dedicate a portion of one day's sales to feeding people in need. Guests can choose a participating restaurant and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner on June 21, with 5% of the check benefiting Operation Feed. Last year's Foodfight was a huge success, with over 40,000 meals raised in just one day. Exciting developments are in the works for Foodfight2011, so stay tuned for updates!
Kowalski Chiropractic Chair Massage Fundraiser (Ongoing)  Kowalski Chiropractic offers a unique way to help your campaign raise meals! They'll send therapists to your organization for chair massage sessions which you can "sell" to associates to benefit Operation Feed. Massage rates are $1 per minute. One therapist can raise $60 per hour; in four hours, two Licensed Massage Therapists can raise $480! Limit 1 visit per organization; 2 hour minimum. Each massage lasts 10 - 20 minutes. Therapists handle no money. Sign-up and collection of charges is coordinated by participating organization. For more information or to schedule, contact Jonny Lifeson, LMT, at kowalskichiro@gmail.com or visit www.kowalskichiropractic.com.
MyCuteJewels Promotion (Ongoing)  MyCuteJewels wants to do its part to fight hunger. Visit www.MyCuteJewels.com and 10% of your total purchase will be donated to Mid-Ohio Foodbank's Operation Feed campaign. This special promotion runs through June! Perfect for gifts or special occasions, help feed the hungry while getting something nice. It is a win win. Enter coupon code "MOFBFeedsOhio10" at checkout.
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.
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Key Campaign Dates
- Ongoing Workplace/Organizational Campaigns - March-June
- Uno Chicago Grille "Doughraiser" (Tuttle Crossing Location) - Sunday, May 8
- Letter Carriers' "Stamp Out Hunger" Food Drive - Saturday, May 14
- Central Ohio Restaurant Assn.'s FOODFIGHT--eat out to fight hunger - Tuesday, June 21
- Official End of the Campaign - Thursday, June 30
- Campaign Finale - TBA (August/September)
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Next Steps
- Schedule a visit to the "Hunger and Resilience" exhibit.
- Put us in touch with the person who updates your organization's Facebook page.
- Plan to use an Operation Feed video to help educate and engage your associates.
- Check out the great round table ideas and photos from 2011 training sessions.
- 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!
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