Letter from Kent
It is back to school time. While area students may not be excited to see their summer break come to an end, they can rest assured that every Monday through Friday they will sit down for a balanced meal provided by the school lunch room. In many cases, lunch is the only balanced meal they will receive during the day. And of course, on Saturday and Sunday there is no school and therefore no school lunch. We are pleased to partner with the Samaritan Center to address this weekend need through their snackpack program. I have mentioned several times in the last few months that by working through Feeding America, our national donors, and partnering with other Food Banks, we are able to purchase food product at a much lower rate that most organizations can. We have also received grants specific to feeding youth with which we have purchased food for the Samaritan Center to distribute. As we work together, we are able to provide some much needed food while Samaritan Center provides a very efficient distribution system. Call us here at the Food Bank if you have questions about how you can get involved in this much needed service.
Recently I was notified that the Food Bank had been turned down on a grant application because we did not have direct contact with the end client. That told me we have not done a very good job explaining exactly what we do. When I explain things to my staff I use lots of sports analogies. For example, when I was a little league baseball coach no one wanted to play right field. However, that position was just as important as the shortstop for if there were no right fielder and someone hit a ball out there, they could round the bases and score. Likewise, everyone has a necessary position in the fight against hunger. While we at the NWAFB do not have the personal contact that a food pantry has, we have an equally important role. We provide the food the pantry gives away. Most food pantries have food drives where donors give non-perishable items for distribution. In almost all cases these donations are not enough to fill the need. That’s where we come in. Each week around 80 area food pantries come in to pick up shelf stable canned goods, frozen meat, produce and bakery to distribute to their clients. Without us those clients would not be served. So, like that right fielder, we may not get the same glory as a pitcher or shortstop, but we are just as critical to the overall team.
I bet you didn’t know that in June we had over 1300 volunteer hours. That is the equivalent of over 7 full time employees. Our volunteer center, located in the same complex as the main warehouse hosts a number of volunteer opportunities for individuals or for corporate team building. If you look on our web site there is a drop down bar that tells how to volunteer, or if you prefer, especially if you have a large group you want to bring, feel free to call Trina Wilson at 479-872-8774 to get something set up. I would like to especially invite you to volunteer in September. September is National Hunger Action Month and we here at the food bank have set a goal of surpassing 2,000 volunteer hours. For a complete list of our planned events and goals for September and how you can help achieve those goals please look under news and events at nwafoodbank.org.
Last month I introduced you to my two granddaughters, Stella and Hattie. Stella is 6 and Hattie is 4 and they both attended Vacation Bible School last week. Let me share a text I received last week.
“Stella and Hattie are learning so much this year at VBS. Today they talked about how God works in our lives to help others. When I picked up Stella she said, “When I grow up I want to do what Pops does and help people who are less fortunate.” Pops shed a little tear.
Please know there is always a way that you can help those who are less fortunate here at the NWAFB. Together we will make a difference in the fight against hunger. Thanks for your support in the past and your promise to support us in the future.
God Bless
K
