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Registration Update: The List Continues to Grow!
The list of companies, schools and community groups fighting hunger with Operation Feed continues to grow! We are on our way to having 300 organizations registered this spring. A special thank you to everyone who has pledged to help. Together, we can raise 5 million meals for seniors, children and neighbors in need!
 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! |
Video Outreach Campaign: 1 of 6 Ohioans is at Risk of Hunger
 In Ohio, one of six people is at risk of hunger. They are co-workers, neighbors and classmates. To raise awareness of the significance of hunger in central and eastern Ohio, Mid-Ohio Foodbank's Operation Feed created an outreach video, which is currently airing on Time Warner Cable. The "1 of 6" Campaign aims to increase awareness in parts of the Foodbank's service territory outside of Franklin County, where Mid-Ohio Foodbank and Operation Feed are less recognized.
To view the video, visit www.1of6.org. This website contains hunger statistics for each of the 20 counties in Mid-Ohio Foodbank's service area, as well as provides ways people can get involved to help lower these statistics in their own community. If you've already noticed the video on Time Warner Cable, or once you've viewed it online, please let us know what you think. |
Extend Your Campaign with the Virtual Food Drive
 The Virtual Food Drive is a quick and easy way to extend the reach of your Operation Feed campaign. Using a secure online system, this web-based tool allows anyone to support Operation Feed through a credit card donation. You can create a fundraising team for your organization, make an individual donation, or set up a personal page for others to donate on your behalf. It can track donations by group or department, and you can reach out to friends and family for their help to provide additional meals for the hungry in our community.
Setting up the drive is simple, and it doesn't take much to make a difference. Every dollar donated equals two meals for those in need. Read more about ways to leverage the virtual drive, or get instructions for setting up a page. The Operation Feed team can also help you get started -- contact us with questions or for more information. Consider using the Virtual Food Drive to conveniently supplement your campaign efforts! |
Let Us Help: Tell the Operation Feed Team about Your Activities
Hopefully, you already know about the many resources available for your campaign, including banners, brochures and postcards. The Operation Feed team is another resource at your fingertips! Staff members can help in several ways. We could host a Lunch and Learn about Mid-Ohio Foodbank and Operation Feed for your associates. When holding events or wrapping up your campaign, we could be in attendance to thank participants for their generous contributions. If you are looking for contest judges or chili cook-off critics, we are willing to volunteer our taste buds. Be creative, and let us know how we can help make your campaign a success. Just contact Joan, Andy or Amber to get your upcoming initiative added to our campaign events calendar. |
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: Ohio Attorney General's Office
"It's simple. Keep track daily of how much you spend for lunch. Donate that amount or a percent of that amount!" This is the idea behind the Ohio Attorney General's Office Matching Meals Challenge, which is one of the many aspects of its Operation Feed campaign. Paper plates with this message are placed in the break room to remind employees about those in need in our community. They are encouraged to make a donation based on the amount they spend on lunch in a week, and each dollar donated equals two meals. 
The Ohio Attorney General's Office also holds various activities to benefit Operation Feed throughout its campaign. Employees are able to access an intranet page listing all activities, including a burrito fest and putt-putt outing. They also raise funds through selling baked goods and ice cream. Donations can also entitle individuals to stickers for personal jeans days, which is a staff favorite.
Email messages remind employees of upcoming events and activities, as well as inform them about the immediate need in our community with local hunger statistics. Thank you, Ohio Attorney General's Office for your efforts in raising meals for Operation Feed! |
Rally to Tally Photo Contest
 Show how you "Rally to Tally" in the fight against hunger by entering your organization in the Operation Feed photo contest. Submit a digital photo and caption that illustrates how your Operation Feed campaign best exemplifies the theme, When Everyone Does a Little, the Foodbank Can Do a Lot! Submitted photos will be posted to the Foodbank's Facebook page and fans will have the opportunity to "like" their favorites. Photos with the most "likes" will be chosen as finalists. The winners will be announced at the Campaign Finale event and will be used in Operation Feed 2012 marketing materials.
Encourage your employees, members and friends to visit our Facebook page and "like" the photos they want to see as finalists! Entries are limited to one photo per organization. All photo entries must be received by July 1, 2011. For contest details, visit http://www.midohiofoodbank.org/photo-contest. |
Support Operation Feed This Spring
Spring FLEA (May 8)  Treat Mom to an afternoon of treasure hunting this Mother's Day at Spring Flea! This charitable open air market presented by Columbus Flea features handmade jewelry, artwork, antiques, vintage clothing, records and crafts sold by Short North neighborhood locals. Join us Sunday, May 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1024 North High Street (Fireproof Storage parking lot on the corner of East 2nd Avenue and High Street). Proceeds from booth fees and canned goods collected will be donated to Operation Feed. For more information, visit the Columbus Flea page on Facebook.
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.
"About Hunger & Resilience" Art Exhibit (May 17-27)  See the faces of domestic hunger and listen to the stories of 50 individuals as they struggled to find 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.
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 -- including a new, interactive www.foodfighthunger.org web site -- 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
- Check out the new 1 of 6 video.
- Explore using the Virtual Food Drive to bolster your drive.
- Utilize Operation Feed staff resources to support your campaign events.
- Don't forget to photograph activities for the photo contest.
- Schedule a visit to the "Hunger and Resilience" exhibit.
- Put us in touch with the person who updates your organization's Facebook page.
- 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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