Paper Plate Project Shows Personal Side of Hunger
"This pantry is a life saver ... people need this in order to survive." 
These are words written onto a paper plate by someone who benefitted directly from a local food pantry. His story, and thousands of others, are shared through the Paper Plate Project: an effort by the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (OASHF) to share personal, firsthand accounts of Ohioans who have faced hardships and who have benefited from food pantries supported by Operation Feed contributions.
Many of these stories were on display at the Operation Feed Day "Inspiration Panel" held March 1 at Shadowbox, and they can be a great messaging component for your campaign as well. Sets of plates are mounted on foam board and can easily be displayed in a lobby or cafeteria. Loose-leaf plates are also available for circulating at events, meetings or fundraising activities.
This is a strong visual way to personalize the issue of hunger, show the impact of your organization's participation in Operation Feed and inspire associates to get involved. More information about the project can be found at http://paperplateproject.org. To inquire about using plates as part of your campaign, contact any member of the Operation Feed team.
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Welcome to Operation Feed Writing Intern, Chelsea Castle!
Please join us in welcoming Chelsea Castle, who joins the Operation Feed team as a Writing Intern this spring. As part of the Minor in Professional Writing program at Ohio State, Chelsea will assist Operation Feed and Mid-Ohio Foodbank with a variety of writing projects, including newsletter articles, news releases, agency features, event promotions and general campaign communications.
Chelsea Castle is a fourth-year student at The Ohio State University, graduating in June with a degree in journalism and a minor in professional writing. She is a Columbus native who enjoys cycling, reading and is an avid fan of the unfortunately extinct show, Friends. Her interest in Mid-Ohio Foodbank is derived from her childhood spent volunteering and her passion for helping others.
As the newest member of the department, we are thrilled to have her on board! |
Coordinator Training: Additional Sessions April 12 & May 1
Our Campaign Coordinator training program has been a great success this year, with over 125 individuals from 55 different organizations participating (click here to see photos).
For groups running later drives, two more sessions are scheduled for April and May:
- 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! |
LinkedIn Group Offers Space for Coordinators to Network, Share Ideas
 Need a good meal-raising activity idea? Curious about how an event might play out in your organization? Want to share a great vendor or resource? Interested in networking with peers from other participating organizations? Look no further than the "Operation Feed" group on LinkedIn! Starting an online group discussion is the perfect way to find that great idea that will take your campaign to the next level. A logo added to your profile will show your support and raise visibility of Operation Feed among others in your network ... and you'll have the wisdom and experience of other coordinators at your fingertips. Sign up today to get connected.
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RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: Columbus Bar Association's Law Firm Challenge
The Columbus Bar Association (CBA) and Mid-Ohio Foodbank have joined forces to battle hunger in the inaugural "Operation Feed Law Firm Challenge." History shows that friendly competition is a fun, highly effective way to help put food on the tables of hungry Ohioans. Law firms collaborating with the Foodbank in 2011 raised more than 94,000 meals, and the CBA is challenging its participating firms to raise 115,000 this year.
Law firms of all sizes in Central Ohio are called to participate in this spirited competition, which runs May 1 through June 15. With less than one month before the campaigns kick off, there are already 15 law firms signed up to participate-twice as many as last year!
Three awards will be awarded for highest overall number of meals raised, highest number of meals raised per capita and best small firm campaign. Larry Lanham II, associate attorney at Dinsmore and Shohl LLP, spoke highly of their challenge strategy and said he thinks they will exceed their goal. He said the tactic of pinning industry peers and competitors against each other in a friendly contest for a good cause is an approach all industries should utilize.
Thanks, Columbus Bar Association, for being a wonderful partner, and best wishes to all Law Firm Challenge participants for fantastic 2012 campaigns! |
Is Your Leadership on Board?
Getting leaders involved is a fundamental component of an effective campaign. Experienced coordinators have identified four key strategies for engaging and inspiring their leaders to support Operation Feed: - Give them information. Educate leadership about the issue of hunger, Mid-Ohio Foodbank's work, impact of donations, and how participating can benefit your organization.
- Invite them to be actively involved. Share campaign plans openly. Encourage leaders to be visible. Invite them to address associates at activities or send an all-employee communication. Ask them to donate prizes/auction items, set aside time at staff meetings to talk about Operation Feed, or accompany a team to the Foodbank to volunteer. "Executive embarrassment" tactics like pie-in-the face or a dunk tank are always a hit, too! Show them how their example can influence others to get involved.
- Leverage peer pressure. Show what competitors are doing in the community. Convince them that the list of Operation Feed participating organizations is one they want to be on. Organize a peer-to-peer meeting with leaders from another participating organization (Operation Feed staff can help!).
- Tell them support is available. Operation Feed offers quick and easy activity suggestions, and the Virtual Food Drive requires little work to organize. Awards and acknowledgment will also help promote stewardship efforts in the larger community.
Meet with officers or office heads. Tell them you need their help. Their leadership will help make your campaign a success! |
What Operation Feed Can Do for Your Organization
In addition to the critical assistance that Operation Feed provides to central and eastern Ohio residents, it also offers a variety of benefits to participating organizations. Campaign Coordinators and committee members report several significant benefits because of their involvement: - Every associate or member becomes involved in some way through a organization-wide effort.
- Team building opportunities arise, both within and across parts of the organization.
- Leadership development opportunities, including project responsibility and accountability, are created for associates.
- A great morale boost comes from individuals knowing that they are doing good work for the communities in which they live and work--associates feel part of something much bigger than themselves.
- Public recognition of campaign participation through web site listing, social media highlights, and the annual Campaign Final event.
For more information and ideas about how to realize these benefits in your organization, please contact a member of the campaign team. |
It's Time to Post Your Photo Contest Entries!
Show how you "Rally to Tally" in the fight against hunger by entering your organization in the Operation Feed photo contest. Start right now by capturing photos of campaign planning & meal-raising activities and posting them (with a caption that includes the name of your organization and "Operation Feed") to the Foodbank's Facebook wall. Fans will have the opportunity to "like" their favorites, and 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 now! We already have some great March entries (check them out here). For complete details, see our Photo Contest Guidelines. |
Support Mid-Ohio Foodbank This Spring
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!
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey "Taking Charge of Hunger" Food Drive (April 14)
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey® is partnering with Operation Feed again this year. A "Taking Charge of Hunger" food drive will be held at Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr. on Saturday, April 14, from 12 - 2 p.m. All are welcome! The first 500 individuals who bring 10 cans of food on will receive a free ticket voucher to the Thursday, May 10, or Friday, May 11, performance of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey presents FULLY CHARGED at the Schottenstein Center. There will be a limit of four ticket vouchers per family; a limit of 500 vouchers will be given. To learn more about the show, visit www.ringling.com. Spring FLEA (May 6)  With warm weather comes the FLEA season, and Columbus FLEA is again springing into action to fight hunger through Operation Feed. This year's first open air-market features a variety of local goods such as jewelry, antiques, clothing, artwork, records, crafts ... and much more! Join the fun on Sunday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fireproof Storage parking lot, located at 1024 N. High St. in the Short North. Event proceeds benefit Operation Feed. For more information, visit Columbus Flea on Facebook.
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 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.
- Consider utilizing the Paper Plate Project for your campaign event.
- Sign up your organization for a Coordinator Training & Information Session.
- Join Operation Feed's group on LinkedIn to network and share ideas with fellow campaign coordinators.
- Add key campaign dates to your calendar.
- Bookmark/favorite the "Campaign Coordinator Resources" web page.
- Form a planning committee, and schedule time to discuss campaign plans with your leadership.
- 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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