SHARING MINISTRIES, INC. Providing food for the hungry and encouraging self-reliance 121 N. Rio Grande, Montrose, CO 81401 Off: (970) 240-8385), fax: (970) 240-0172, e-mail: share@bresnan.net September 4, 2009 Economic hardships are impacting Montrose County, as families struggle with basic needs like shelter, clothing and food. Sharing Ministries Food Bank serves entire county, providing nutritious food to individuals and families in need. We are asking for your help to fight hunger. Montrose County Schools, businesses and organizations are participating in a a community wide service project with a Harvest theme. PROJECT LAUNCH: September 11, 2009 FOOD COLLECTION: September 11-30, 2009. To register the participation of your agency, business or organization, please contact Rebecca James. (970) 252-1099 or by email at rjames987@aol.com Rebecca will answer any questions and coordinate pickup of collected food. All food collected will be donated to Sharing Ministries Food Bank. You will find a few additional resources below. We look forward to a successful project and working with the community to conduct a successful event! Sincerely, Oneda Oneda Doyal Executive Director The Mission of Sharing Ministries, Inc. Food Bank is to feed the hungry and help people become self-sufficient. Sharing Ministries, Inc. does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, immigration status, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, marital or family status.
Step-by-Step to Food Collection Success! Participation in the is easy! Follow the steps below to a successful event: 1. Register to participate! Call Sharing Ministries to register to participate. It is not too late, Stage a kick-off event or announcement on September 11, 2009, the National Day of Community Service and Remembrance. 2. Leadership Committee. Identify a group within your agency or organization to provide project leadership. Holding a meeting to organize the project planning and coordination will help you get the off the ground. Use the timeline and agendas to plan and coordinate your involvement. Set goals. You may want to set a goal for how many pounds you want to collect. 3. Resources. Use the templates as a starting point customize them! Use the examples to plan and promote your. 4. Get creative! Add your creative imprint on the by expanding on the theme. Make it fun and easy to participate. Find ways to promote and involve all departments in the project. Here are some examples: Name the Event by allowing submission of potential names for your project. You can use the shopping lists and posters (Resources included), or create your own! incorporate artwork and other decorations created by staff in collection boxes and project flyers and posters. Stage Macaroni Monday to collect pasta, Tuna Tuesday, or Fixin s Friday for meal combinations. Or establish weekly themes to encourage specific donations. 5. Add friendly competition. Although competition has not been established as a goal of the project, competition can be added between departments, for instance. Competition can take the form of creating the best poster. Challenge an executive to perform an activity, perhaps volunteer work at the Food Bank, if the goal is met. 6. Collect the Food. Everyone is excited about the project now and look forward to contributing food to meet the needs of others less fortunate. Stage a press event by photographing an official or executive as they carry a grocery bag around and collect food from departments. A larger collection bin can be used so that smaller boxes can be emptied regularly. Arrange with Sharing Ministries to pickup and transport food to their warehouse, where it will be weighed, sorted and redistributed to hungry families. Call Sharing Ministries for an interim pickup if the large container fills up! 7. Recognize Involvement. Send an email to participants in appreciation of their support for the project. If possible, celebrate the completion and accomplishments of the food collection.
Sample Agenda Items Planning Meetings Now that your agency or organization has decided to participate in the, this list of agenda items may be helpful as you begin the planning and coordination of activities. Remember to customize the timeline and these agenda items to reflect your specific plans. Suggested Agenda Items 1. Establish roles and responsibilities Team Leader Promotions Classroom Coordination Food Collection Activities Food Pickup and Weighing Recognition Ceremony 2. Set goals Review suggestions and customize Friendly competition Rewards 3. Promotions Develop a plan and schedule for promoting the project, including conducting a kick-off event, distributing information to staff, and other activities to ensure a successful event. Kick-off! Flyers Distribution Include List of Recommended Items Posters Artwork (don t forget basic info like what, when, where) Newsletters and Website Articles on Project 4. Project Coordination Decorate Classroom Collection Boxes Great way to involve all grade levels Arrange friendly competition Monitor collection boxes Empty into large collection container 5. Arrange for delivery of large food collection container Safe, accessible site for pickup Coordinate schedule for pickup of collected food 6. Report Results Sharing Ministries will weigh the food that is picked up and report the results of the event. Email the results to participants so that they can celebrate the project success!
Complete Cat. What? Who? When? Where? Notes Set Schedule for Planning and Activities Team Planning Mtg Review timeframe and customize Set School Goals Team Planning Mtg Review suggestions and customize Adopt appropriate goals for your school Will the school have friendly competition? If so, what kind? Be Creative! Project Name (within Theme) Team or Competition? Incorporate theme into posters, flyers, etc. Harvest Theme Project Coordination Bi-weekly report on project planning and coordination Leader leadership team, timelines, progress, container locations Promotions: Integrate critical information Plan and schedule promotions Kick-off event Artwork competition? Is critical info provided? Posters Distribution - Students and Parents emails, flyers, etc. List of food and other items Schedule with administration Coordination Decorate collection boxes Great way to involve all! Friendly competition? Schedule regular reminders Monitor collection boxes Empty into large collection container Arrange for delivery of large food collection container Safe, accessible site for pickup Schedule pickup of collected food Sharing Ministries will report results (weight) Thank you email to participants
Harvest Food Collection Kick-Off: September 11 Collection: September 11 through October 30, 2009 Recommended Non-Perishable Food and Other Items* * Please do not bring food packaged in glass. Most-needed food items: Canned vegetables Canned or boxed fruit Canned fish, poultry & meat) Canned soup, chili or stew Boxed meals Pasta & sauce Rice Canned or dry beans Hot & cold cereal Pancake mix & syrup Peanut butter & jelly Most-needed household/personal care items: Toilet Paper Paper towels Moisturizing Lotion Deodorant Soap Toothpaste Shaving Cream Disposable Diapers Dish Soap Laundry Soap Things to remember: Please do not donate homemade or home-canned items. All items must have labels and must be sealed.
Food Collection Box Deposit non-perishable food and other items for our neighbors in need. Let s Work Together! End Hunger in Montrose County! Sharing Ministries Food Bank will pickup all donations by October 30, 2009
Together we can end local hunger. Donate food and make a difference. (Insert Name of Agency/Organization) October 26 30, 2009 All food will be donated to Sharing Ministries Food Bank
HOW CAN YOU HELP FEED THE HUNGRY IN ONE WEEK? DONATE FOOD. Contribute to the Bring your nonperishable food items to: (Insert Name of Agency/Organization) October 26 30, 2009 All food will be donated to Sharing Ministries Food Bank
Sample Project Timeline Note: edit for your organization s schedule 8-Sep 9-10 Sep 11-Sep 14-18 Sep 21-25 Sep 28-30 Sep Community Service Begin to Register Press Release & Develop Plans: Develop Begin to Harvest Food Remembrance Day - Reminder Emails Promotions: Collecting Participate Collection & Other Promotions Emails, Flyers, Food (e.g. flyers, posters) Posters Establish Kick-off - Decorate Containers Post Project Harvest Food - Project Goals Distribute Emails Progress Team Collection Meter Schedule Hang Posters Meeting Notify Staff Monitor Collection Boxes 1-2 Oct 5-9 Oct 12-16 Oct 19-23 Oct 26-30 Oct 2-6 Nov Begin Begin Begin Email Reminder Continue Email Thank Yous Collecting Collecting Collecting Collecting Food & Results Food Food Food Continue Collecting Food Email Reminder Update Monitor Monitor Monitor & Monitor Progress Meter Collection Boxes Collection Boxes Collection Boxes Collection Boxes