Who's ON THE LIST for Operation Feed 2012?
A warm welcome to all 187 organizations that have joined the community-wide Operation Feed effort so far this year. To see the list, visit Operation Feed's Campaign Partners web page, where all groups participating are publicly recognized for their dedication to fighting hunger in our community. 
Do you notice a peer company, vendor or neighbor organization who's missing? Encourage them to join us! We'll need even more help from local businesses, associations, clubs, families and individuals as the community works to raise 7.5 million meals for Operation Feed 2012. Completing a short online registration form is all it takes to get started. When everyone does a little, the Foodbank can do a lot!
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Coordinator Training: Additional Sessions for April & May
The first round of Campaign Coordinator Training & Information Sessions has been a great success, with over 110 attending (click here to see photos).
For groups running later drives, additional sessions are scheduled for April and May : - Wednesday, April 4, 8:30-10 a.m. (Broad St. Presbyterian, a downtown-area partner agency),
- Thursday, April 12, 3-4:30 p.m. (Mid-Ohio Foodbank),
- Tuesday, May 1, 8:30-10 a.m. (Mid-Ohio Foodbank).
Attending a Training & Information Session is a great way to kick-start your Operation Feed effort! Join us 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. Sign-up at http://operationfeed.eventbrite.com/, and please feel free to invite others involved with your campaign. Hope to see you there! |
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: Kowalski Chiropractic Wellness Center
Kowalski Chiropractic Wellness Center is increasing its campaign participation this year by signing on as one of five official Operation Feed 2012 vendors. Dr. Kowalski and his staff are providing an easy and enjoyable way for coordinators to raise even more campaign funds by offering chair massages. Their Licensed Massage Therapists will come to any Central Ohio business or organization (at no cost), set up shop, and provide individual chair massages for 10, 15, 20 or 30 minutes. Associates pay $1 for each minute of the massage directly to their own campaign, and 100% of that donation goes to Operation Feed!
Coordinators interested in this simple meal-raising activity can contact Jonny or Susie at 614-798-8050 to schedule a time. This vendor is sure to raise thousands of meals, making Kowalski Chiropractic an awesome hunger-fighting partner! Thank you, Kowalski Chiropractic Wellness Center, for relaxing our muscles and putting meals on the tables of those in need! |
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Coordinator Resources & Our New Campaign Checklist
Campaign Coordinators, meet your new best friend: the Campaign Coordinator Resources web page (tinyurl.com/OpFeedResources)!
Do you need help with ...
- Signing up for training?
- Ordering materials?
- Printing copies of the Coordinator Tool Kit?
- Getting started with online donation tools?
- Accessing video resources?
- Reporting your results?
- And much more?
... then this is the web page for you!
Take a moment right now to favorite/bookmark the page on your computer; it will provide easy access to all the resources you'll need for a successful campaign. And, if you don't find what you're looking for, contact information for each member of the Operation Feed team is at the bottom; don't hesitate to call or email us--we'll be happy to help you!
**New for 2012** Our latest resource to simplify your campaign planning is the Step-By-Step Campaign Checklist. This checklist, also located on the Campaign Coordinator Resource Page, will help ensure the success of your meal-raising activities. With best practices and handy references to tools, be sure to check it out as you plan your campaign!
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Online Donations & Fundraising - Two Great Options
Online donation tools offer valuable support for your campaign. Donating by credit card makes it convenient for associates to contribute, and each dollar raised provides THREE MEALS for those in need. This year, we are happy to offer two distinct online giving & fundraising options--read below to see which tool best meets the needs of your drive. - Virtual Food Drive. This interactive donation site literally lets you go grocery shopping. Simply drag food items (or cash) into the shopping cart and "check out." No log-in is required, and associates choose their organization from a drop-down list to align the gift with your effort. While this option does NOT allow for tracking of donations by site or department, it's fun, easy, and convenient-you can use it from any web browser or even your cell phone!
- Friends & Family Fundraising. This tool (which Operation Feed has used for several years) takes online giving one step further because you can build teams for sites or departments--great for encouraging friendly competition. It also extends the reach of your drive by involving friends & family. As the campaign coordinator, you build a page for your organization (incorporating your logo, photos, and customized messaging). Associates can then setup personal pages to e-mail their contacts & utilize social media, appealing to those outside the organization to contribute on behalf of your Operation Feed effort.
We encourage everyone to incorporate one (or both!) of these options into your drive this year. Visit http://www.midohiofoodbank.org/VFD to access each tool and get started. If you have questions, or if you need additional information or setup assistance, contact Operation Feed team member Angie Leonard at aleonard@midohiofoodbank.org. |
Goal Setting Emails Are Coming Soon
Many of you have received (or will receive) goal information at a Training & Information Session. Goal setting worksheets with historical campaign data and suggested goals for 2012 will be also emailed to coordinators later this month. This information is provided to assist you and your leadership team with setting a goal for your organization's drive. We encourage you to use goal setting as tool for motivating employee participation, actively engaging leadership in the Operation Feed effort, showcasing campaign results and encouraging friendly competition inside and between organizations. Groups that successfully reach suggested goals are designated as "benchmark level contributors" and receive special recognition at the Campaign Finale and on Mid-Ohio Foodbank's web site. For questions about your goal, contact a member of the Operation Feed team.
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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. Post digital photos (with a caption that includes the name of your organization and "Operation Feed") to the Foodbank's Facebook page. Fans will have the opportunity to "like" their favorites. Photos with the most "likes" will be chosen as finalists. The winner will be determined by applause-o-meter at the Campaign Finale event and will be used in Operation Feed 2013 marketing materials. Start posting photos of your campaign planning and meal-raising activities now! Then, encourage your employees, members and friends to visit our Facebook page and "like" the photos they want to see as finalists. For complete details, see our Photo Contest Guidelines. |
Support Mid-Ohio Foodbank This Spring
Community Engagement Lunch with Foodbank President & CEO, Matt Habash (March 30)   CYP Club is partnering with local non-profits to present a quarterly "bring-your-own-lunch" event with CEOs of various organizations. The first of the series will feature Matt Habash, President & CEO of Mid-Ohio Foodbank. All are welcome and encouraged to attend! Register here.
Yoga Outreach Columbus (April 1)
Join yoga enthusiasts from Central Ohio for a pair of classes to benefit Operation Feed (along with Foodbank partner agency, People in Need, and yoga charity, "Off The Mat into the World"). Feel a sense of community with hundreds of other yogis at one or both yoga classes: a vigorous vinyasa flow class at 10 a.m. and/or a mild Hatha yoga class at 2 p.m. Both take place on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan University. Learn more and purchase tickets. Cakes for a Cause (April 5)  Cakes for a Cause in 2011 was a huge success and 2012's event will be even bigger & sweeter! This year's gala and auction is scheduled for Thurs., April 5, 6-9 p.m. at Mid-Ohio Foodbank. Organizers will be auctioning off beautiful cakes & confections as guests enjoy delicious hors d'oeuvres & dessert samples from "Sweet Taste of Victory" baking contestants (along with a milk tasting bar from Snowville Creamery). Prize drawing, cash bar, & more...all to benefit families in need. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a night out or get members of your leadership team connected with Operation Feed. Tickets are on sale now!
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
- Ongoing Workplace/Organizational Campaigns - March-June
- Coordinator Training & Information Sessions - April 4 & 12, May 1 (see above)
- Cakes for a Cause - Thursday, April 5
- Letter Carriers' "Stamp Out Hunger" Drive - Saturday, May 12
- FOODFIGHT "Eat Out To Fight Hunger" - Wednesday, June 20
- Official End of Campaign - Thursday, June 30
- Deadline to Submit Contributions for Awards Consideration - Tuesday, July 31
- Campaign Finale - Thursday, August 23
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Next Steps
- Confirm your campaign time frame with the Operation Feed team.
- Sign up your organization for a Coordinator Training and Information Session.
- Add key campaign dates to your calendar.
- Bookmark/favorite the "Campaign Coordinator Resources" web page.
- Review our new "Step-By-Step Campaign Checklist" to streamline your coordination efforts.
- Form a planning committee, and schedule time to discuss campaign plans with your leadership.
- Choose your preferred online donations & fundraising tool(s) to enhance your campaign.
- Document your activities by snapping pictures for the photo contest.
- Talk about Operation Feed with your friends, colleagues, neighbors ... and encourage them to get involved.
- Rally your associates for an outstanding 2012 Campaign!
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