feeding - Food Bank of Lincoln

feeding
MatTers
Winter 2014
A Message From
the Executive Director
In November, Food Bank Agency Relations Director Mariana Schell and I traveled to Davenport, Nebraska,
for a one-day meeting about food and its impact on communities. The meeting was hosted by Dr. Harold
Stone at his South Maple Street meeting space. On his website, Dr. Stone describes this unique site:
South Maple Street is a food–based enterprise that promotes community and economic development
in rural Nebraska. We are passionate about food and the role that food can play in renewing the
vitality of rural communities. Our purpose is to create both food products and experiences that make a
positive impact on people’s lives and benefit the rural economy.
As I listened to Harold’s thoughtful welcoming remarks, I was struck by the notion that food has been
building communities for thousands of years. It is how and why we gather to share our sorrows and our
happiness. Food connects, comforts and consoles. Communing around food moves us forward, takes us
back, and at times, helps us be still.
With the help of outstanding partner agencies and schools, faithful
donors and friends, volunteers and a hard-charging staff, 2013 was
a year in which we helped sustain many existing communities and
contributed to the building of some new ones. As the New Year
begins, we can take pride in our past 12 months, while maintaining a
sense of urgency about the next 12.
We distributed more than 8.5 million meals and improved our
service in all 16 of our counties. More work remains as thousands
of our neighbors remain on the edge of food insecurity. All of our
schools have significant numbers of kids who are in the free and
reduced lunch and breakfast programs, yet still struggle at home, on
weekends and in the summer. Veterans need our help, and there is
a growing Senior Hunger problem. Rural communities are struggling
with hunger and poverty issues.
In 2014, the Food Bank will remain dedicated to sustaining our existing
partnerships and communities, and will be true to the thousands-ofyears-old notion of building new communities around food.
Thanks for being part of our record year at the Food Bank over the
past year. We hope you will continue to be a partner as we work to
fulfill our mission in 2014 to alleviate hunger in Southeast Nebraska.
Best regards,
Scott Young
Executive Director
2013
Board of Directors
Greg Yank
Wells Fargo Bank
Jim Lamphere
Nebraska Land Title & Abstract
Connie Hilligoss
Sign Pro
Molly Brummond
University of Nebraska
College of Law
Curt Krueger
Catholic Social Services
Dr. Karla Lester
Teach a Kid to Fish
Lizabeth Kuhlman
Sinclair Hille Architects
Jolene Bartling
Hunger Advocate
Nancy Ganser
Childhood Hunger Advocate
Faces of Hunger
We hear it all the time: “At the end of the month, we have to make
a choice: do we buy food or pay the bills?” Ronda, like many others,
reminds us of the importance of our work. “If we weren’t able to get
food from the Food Bank, our family would go without some meals.
We are very appreciative of the support and for all the volunteers
who are here helping out.”
Ronda and her husband have four kids – two school
age and two living on their own. Her older kids are
working hard to maintain employment. With two kids
still at home and in school, the pressure really weighs
on her and her husband. Fortunately, they are able to
turn to the Food Bank when it comes time to make
the decision to pay the bills or buy food.
“It’s too often that we don’t have enough
money to buy food and pay our bills. I
am thankful for all that the Food Bank
does for my family.”
T.J. McDowell, Jr.
Lincoln Public Schools
Your Food Bank received a 4-Star rating again
this year. In fact, this is the sixth consecutive
year Food Bank of Lincoln has received a 4-Star
rating. Receiving a four out of a possible four
stars indicates that the Food Bank of Lincoln
adheres to good governance and other best
practices that minimize the chance of unethical
activities and consistently executes its mission in
a fiscally responsible way.
Dr. Marilyn Moore
Bryan College of Health Services
Brad Philson
Union Bank & Trust
Linda Robinson Rutz
Union Agency, Inc.
L. Bruce Wright
Cline Williams, Wright, Johnson & Oldfather
Your Rights as a Donor
What’s important to you as a Food Bank
of Lincoln supporter is important to us.
As a donor, we want you to have full
confidence in the Food Bank, our mission
and our practices. According to the
Donor Bill of Rights, your expectations of
us should include:
•
•
To receive appropriate
acknowledgement and recognition.
To be assured that information
about their donation is handled with
respect and with confidentiality to
the extent provided by law.
If you have any questions about how
your donor dollars are being used,
please call us at (402) 466-8170.
The Donor Bill of Rights was developed by the
Association of Fundraising Professionals, the
Giving Institute and other top consultants to
non-profits. Look for more from the Donor Bill
of Rights in future newsletters.
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Only 3% of charities that were rated have received at least six
consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Food Bank of Lincoln
outperforms most other charities in America.
Impact
A short time ago, the Food Bank was asked to present at a local
organization as part of the United Way campaign. The staff at this
business is very diverse. The Food Bank presented both in English and
Spanish and they had a Vietnamese interpreter convey our message,
making for a great experience.
As we explained our different programs, we realized that several of them
might actually be families that we serve. As we finished up one young
Caucasian man (in his 20s) approached their HR representative. He was
young and clearly had led a tough life. However, he gave $15 to the
Food Bank of Lincoln because, he said, “The Food Bank has provided
food to me when we needed it, so I’m giving some to them.”
It was a powerful moment, and a great reflection of what the Food Bank
of Lincoln does on a daily basis.
Giving Comes in Variety of Ways
THANK YOU PARAGON SANITATION FOR THE GIFT OF YOUR SERVICES
more food to the people in need. We hoped that our
way of giving would help the Food Bank of Lincoln serve
more people.”
Paragon is doing exactly that. Their services are saving
the Food Bank of Lincoln thousands of dollars each year.
With the money saved, the Food Bank is able to distribute
approximately 6,000 more meals each year.
Steve Hatten,
Karen Hatten
and Ryan Hatten.
A few years ago, the economy was in a downward spiral
and many businesses were just doing what they could to
keep operating. Paragon Sanitation was one of them.
Times were tough, but owner Ryan Hatten knew they
could still lend a hand.
Ryan contacted the Food Bank of Lincoln to discuss the
possibility of donating Paragon’s services so the Food
Bank would not have to pay for waste hauling. Ryan
recalls, “What we wanted to do was help reduce the
Food Bank’s bills. We knew that if they would allow us to
donate our services, we would be helping them distribute
THANK YOU
MARY HUNT
FOR THE GIFT OF
PLANNED GIVING
Ryan’s sense of community has been passed down from
generation to generation. When Ryan was a young
boy, his grandfather and father (who started Paragon
Sanitation in 1976) allowed Ryan to work on their routes
with them. He remembers all the fun they had and knew
that he wanted to go into the family business when he
grew up. He is now proud to say he is a fourth-generation
garbage hauler in Lincoln. He follows in the footsteps
of his great-grandfather, grandfather and father in the
family business while his mother and wife work in the
office.
We are grateful to Paragon Sanitation for their
commitment to alleviating hunger in Southeast Nebraska.
Mary Hunt was one of the Food Bank’s
most loyal supporters. She started
making monthly $100 donations in 2008,
and those gifts added up to more than
$6,000, which translates into 15,000 meals
for the hungry.
Mary died in August, at the age of 83.
What you need to know is that Mary, her
late husband Lee, and their family made
a plan to make sure Mary’s support
continued after her death. Through
Mary’s trust, the Food Bank of Lincoln
received $10,000 in October. At her rate
of giving $100 per month, that is the
equivalent of more than eight years of
support for Food Bank clients struggling
with hunger.
The Hunt’s children were kind enough
to share these thoughts on Mary’s
generosity:
In the deed the glory
“Mom knew the greatest
gift is not the money but
the example that maybe
others would be inspired to
greater giving. “
“Our mom would not want any kind of
special notice for this gift, and that was
very common for folks of her generation.
They didn't ‘toot their own horn’ as she
would put it. Many call it the greatest
generation, and we tend to agree with
that characterization considering their
collective sacrifices for our country. So
in that respect she was doing what she
believed to be the right thing to do when
God blesses you greatly.
“Our parents worked hard on the farm
and raising a family. They lived simply,
frugally and gratefully planned for the
future. When they reached the point that
they could live a bit more extravagantly,
they simply didn't. They were so happy
with the things they had that mattered
most. They saw God’s big picture and
their part in it.
“Mom knew the greatest gift is not the
money but the example that maybe
others would be inspired to greater
giving. ‘In the deed the glory,’ we carve
it into the wall of our football stadium.
Just words you might say, but our mom
gave her kids that example. Sorry Mom,
we tooted your horn. We look forward to
hugging you in heaven someday.”
--Lee and Mary's kids
What an amazing legacy, one that will
live on for years and help thousands.
Please consider doing what Mary did
and make the Food Bank of Lincoln
or the Food Bank Foundation part of
your estate plans. For more information,
please contact Development Director
John Mabry at (402) 466-8170, ext. 110, or
jmabry@lincolnfoodbank.org.
Special Thanks to
our Holiday Food
Drive Sponsors
News & Notes
Farm Credit Services
Land O Lakes
Lincoln Journal Star
10/11 KOLN/KGIN
Thankful for Turkey Donations
Just in time for Thanksgiving, several local businesses stepped up to make
sure families in need were able to enjoy a traditional turkey this year. A
special thanks to Hy-Vee, Olsson Associates, Sid Dillon, Schaefer’s, the Bike
Rack and everyone who helped make this a better holiday for families
struggling to put food on the table. Each business made donations that
totaled 1,420 turkeys for families that may otherwise have gone without.
12th Annual Combat Hunger
This year’s event was the largest in its 12 year history. Combat Hunger
2013 produced food and cash that will allow us to distribute 13,655 meals
to our hungry friends throughout Southeast Nebraska. A special thanks
to Three Eagles Communications, 92.9 the Eagle, Super Saver (48th & O),
JetSplash and Nebraska National Guard.
Student Hunger Drive Nets Big First Year
The Food Bank of Lincoln partnered with People’s City Mission to help
host a six-week student led food drive. Dr. Nancy Becker (a retired
school principal) coordinated the food drive, connected the schools
and inspired the students. The schools were broken down into two
divisions (a large and small school division). Lincoln Pius X won the large
school division, donating 13,603 pounds of food which equated to 13.79
pounds per student. College View Academy won the small school
division by donating over 30 pounds per student. The event totaled
39,498 pounds of food!
A special thanks to this year’s sponsors: Sandhills Publishing, Union Bank
& Trust, Performance Chrysler – Jeep – Dodge – Toyota – Scion of Lincoln
and Lexus of Lincoln.
Pictured: A group of Norris High School students
coming soon...
Extra Mile Walk Set for April 5
The Extra Mile Walk, an annual event that provides a big
boost to the BackPack Program, will be held Saturday,
April 5 at Lincoln East High School. Thanks to great
community support, led by our friends at Lincoln Public
Schools, last year’s event raised more than $150,000 for
children in need. Be sure to visit www.lincolnfoodbank.org
for more information as the event gets closer.
April 5 April 7 – 18
May 10 May 27 May 29 BackPack Extra Mile Walk
State Campaign Against Hunger
Postal Food Drive
Empty Bowls Luncheon
Give to Lincoln Day
For detailed information on promotions and events, please visit
www.lincolnfoodbank.org
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12th Annual Empty Bowls
This year’s Empty Bowls event is scheduled for
Tuesday, May 27 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Embassy
Suites. Empty Bowls is our signature event in which
15 of Lincoln’s finest restaurants, and one of the
Food Bank of Lincoln’s own agencies, offer tempting
soups, breads and desserts. Each person attending
leaves with a hand-crafted pottery bowl of their
choosing from Down Under Pottery. The empty bowls
symbolize the bowls our community has filled over
the years, and the bowls that still need filling. Tickets
will go on sale the week of March 3. This year’s event
is sponsored in part by Union Bank & Trust