March 2014 is National Nutrition Month

Food Bank Coalition of SLO County

March 19, 2014

Greetings!

March is National Nutrition Month!

2014 begins with some wonderful news for those of us in the business of seeking to reduce obesity in our population and improving our quality of life through what we eat. Obesity has declined (43%) for the first time in recent history among our youngest children (see my blog)! Of course we hope this will prove to be true as statistics are released for older children as well in the near future.

We live in a free country, so we tackle such efforts not through enforcement but through education, inspiration, leadership, incentives, commitment and collaboration. We also know that it's important to reach people when they are young in order to affect the patterns that will become their lifestyles. Many of our Food Bank programs are directed at children and the support of organizations that serve them, including our schools. Let's take a moment to celebrate this good news and rededicate ourselves to work even harder!

Together we build a healthier community.

Carl Hansen, Chief Executive Officer

Have a Heart Campaign Raised $20,000!

We are proud to announce that the Have a Heart Food Drive at Food 4 Less was able to raise $20,000 this year. We want to send a special thank you to our incredible community and Food 4 Less who helped make this a reality. This generous donation brings the 3-year total raised in the campaign to over $50,000!

Thank you:

Feeding Young Minds and Bodies

Join SESLOC in supporting the Lovin' Lunchbox program. This April, SESLOC Federal Credit Union invites you to join us in supporting the San Luis Obispo Food Bank Coalition's Lovin' Lunchbox program. Last year, with the support of our members, we donated over $10,000 to help provide nutritious snacks and lunches to low-income children over the summer months. During April we will match your donation and thank you with a special gift. Each $1 you donate provides 10 pounds of food to help feed some of the 16,000 food-insecure children in San Luis Obispo County.

Good nutrition is essential to a healthy mind and body. The healthy meal you provide leaves a legacy far beyond the immediate need you fulfilled. Donate to the Lovin' Lunchbox program at a SESLOC branch throughout April and help us make a difference in our community. To learn more, please visit www.sesloc.org/lunchbox.

Thank you:

Welcome Our New Staff

Sami Parker: CalFresh Program Coordinator

Sami is a Cal Poly SLO graduate who served as an AmeriCorps member at the North County Women's Shelter directly after gradution. She continued with the Shelter as a Bilingual Case Manager and then a Shelter Manager. In 2013 she became the first Family Advocate for San Luis Coastal Unified School District. Sami has a huge passion for service and social justice and dreams of becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker while engaging in policy advocacy to help shape a more positive future for all.

Program Updates

Our SNAP-Ed and CalFresh programs presented information to seniors during a Food Resource Workshop at the SLO Senior Center. Those in attendance learned about CalFresh (formerly known as Food Stamps), program requirements and the impact it can make in their life or people they know. Attendees then participated in a food demonstration, presented by our Nutrition Education Program. During this demonstration seniors got to learn about and taste a healthy recipe, prepared with economical ingredients. This was followed by free recipes and nutritional resources. In all, this was a successful event and just another example of how our programs work with are Agency Partners to meet the needs of our community.

It's Tax Season

Millions of Californians will have the opportunity to support food banks by "checking off" on their tax returns this spring. The Emergency Food for Families fund supports food banks by contributing roughly half a million dollars to the California Food Banks program each year. With a little effort, you can help significantly increase the amount raised in just a few simple steps.

Together we build a healthier community.

CAFB