News from FFCC!

February 15, 2013

ST. MICHAEL'S KICKS OFF FFCC'S 2013 FOOD PACKAGING EVENT CALENDAR!

Saturday, February 2^nd, St. Michaels School and Parish hosted our 46^th Food Packaging Event! We packaged 84,000 meals for families in Haiti. Teacher Jennifer Tucker and her Mercy Corp middle school students were responsible for helping to plan, fundraise, and provide the leadership for the event. After the event, we asked these students to give us some feedback on how the day went. Here is what a few of them had to say,

"Even though we all had to wake up early on Saturday, when it was all done I felt that I had a really accomplished something and feeding all these kids in Haiti really warmed my heart." Lauren Anastas

"I think the best part about Saturday was the part that you knew exactly who the food was going to and where it was going. It was such an amazing experience and I had so much fun helping and meeting new people. The food that we packaged is not only changing the families in Haiti's lives but also changing our lives." Juliette Steele

"The best part of the event was knowing I was making a difference in someone's life. Someone who was suffering. Someone who needed care. Someone who needed love. I was part of making someone's life better. I knew and truly felt God working through me. That was the best feeling in the world." Sophie Parra

Thank you students for all you hard work! You are an inspiration to all of us!

CREEKSIDE HELPS SANDY VICTIMS!

Creekside Elementary took time out of their school day, this past Friday, to make a difference for families on the East Coast. Each grade from Kindergarten to 5^th grade did their part. They raised enough money to provide 16,000 meals which will be distributed through a New Jersey Food Bank assisting families devastated by the hurricane. In addition to the food, a Creekside Girl Scout troop collected blankets which will be added to the shipment. This is Creekside Elementary's third year partnering with FFCC to help those in need.

Payton O'Keefe is a sixth grade student from St. Michael's who graduated from Creekside Elementary. She volunteered at the St. Michael event and then a week later came and helped give leadership to the younger students at her alma mater Creekside. Payton said, "Packaging this food made me have the best feeling inside. The true satisfaction of helping others. I believe if you are offered an opportunity to help others you should always say yes."

So what do you say San Diego County, how about YOUR school, business, church or organization? Will you join us in our effort to 'Fight Against Hunger'? Creekside Elementary & St. Michael's have set the mark for us this year. Join us! For more information contact Tina Socha at tina.socha@san.rr.com.

FFCC TANZANIA TEAM #15 & 'Kids Around The World' HEAD TO TANZANIA TOGETHER!

The quote on FFCC's website reads, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead. Once again, we hope to show this to be true. Our team of ten has BIG plans and we look forward to accomplishing much while we are away. We will be gone from February 15 - March 3. Here is a taste of some of the things we plan to do.

Celebrate the completion of our Nkungi Village Water Filter Project- 1,200 homes with a filter to protect them from contaminated drinking water. The Prime Minister of Tanzania is planning to be in attendance.
Partner with Kids Around the World to install a beautiful playground structure for the children of Nkungi Primary School.
Partner with BadCab Productions to film a documentary on the work that FFCC has done and will continue to do in Tanzania. For a sample of their work and how you can help, go to http://youtu.be/OhBBzQtZxpE.
Work to finalize plans for our second Children's Community Center. This one will be located in the Simiyu Region. Our summer team will break-ground on this Center that will help to feed 1,000 street children per day and provide other necessary support.
Check-in on our other past projects, and, the best part....
Love on the Tanzanian people who have become so dear to us!

You can follow us on Facebook or email Steve Socha (sbsocha@san.rr.com) for updates from the team. Tuonane baadaye! (See you later! ~ Swahili)

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES!

From time to time, PUSD administrators or counselors make referrals to FFCC of families needing furnishings for their homes. We are currently assisting three different families that were all previously living in shelters, and now have their own places to furnish. Items are needed, especially clean and nearly new twin mattresses and bedframes, including a bunkbed frame. But also needed are volunteers with trucks or large SUVs to help us move furniture. And, we are looking for handy people for different jobs like replacing a washing machine hose, or putting together bedframes, or repairing a car. Please contact Becky at ffccsdlocal@gmail.com if you can help.

Warehouse or Storage Space Needed!

Once again, we've outgrown our food pantry space and are looking for storage that is indoors, well lit and ventilated. We've got many different ways we distribute food to local families in need with the food we collect and store. We're assisting from 200 to 500 families (or up to 2000 people) each month! We'll be hosting another food drive soon and having the extra temporary or permanent space is greatly needed. Please contact Becky(ffccsdlocal@gmail.com) if you can help search for a space, or know of a church, business or vacant storage unit located in Rancho Bernardo, Poway, or Rancho Penasquitos that is easily accessible for our food storage needs.

NOTARY NEEDED!

FFCC is looking for a certified notary to volunteer their time to help our travelers notarize their travel documents. If you are qualified and interested, please contact Tina Socha at tina.socha@san.rr.com.

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