Recent charity events receive community support
Written by Christine Senack | | christine@senackandassociates.comOn May 6 letter carriers delivered more than mail. They delivered more than 233,000 pounds of food to regional food banks collected during the “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive. Donated food was collected one house at a time as latter carriers delivered mail and collected cans, boxes and jars of non-perishable food donated by residents on their mail routes. Businesses held food drives leading up to the event.
Stamp Out Hunger began as a grassroots food drive at a local post office 15 years ago. It now is a nationwide event sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers, Campbell’s Soup and Feeding America. Since its inception it has collected 909 million pounds of food in the United States. Stamp Out Hunger is the nation’s largest one-day food drive.
Letter carriers Mark Netry and Paul Sattler unload donated food during the Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
Although local coordinators were not sure what to expect this year given the local economy, local residents were aware of the need and willing to help. The food drive generated a 20,000 pound increase in donations over last year.
“The people who gave were very generous,” said Letter Carrier and Food Drive Coordinator Rebecca Dusseau. “Some gave a couple of bags of groceries.”
Food collected by the letter carriers was donated to Toledo Seagate Foodbank to prepare for the increased demand in emergency food in the summer. Toledo Seagate Foodbank serves neighborhood food pantries and feeding programs. During the summer break, children who receive free meals at school are home and not receiving subsidized breakfasts or lunches. This increases the burden on families whose resources are already stretched, and these families turn to neighborhood pantries and feeding programs for help.
“Our warehouse was empty. Now people will have food this summer,” said Deb Vas executive director of the food bank. “The letter carriers are absolutely wonderful.”
Last weekend, Mom’s House also celebrated wonderful people and its 16-year history of helping low-income, single moms graduate from high school, technical school and college. At the annual “Mom’s Nite Out” gala, board leadership and other volunteer leadership were praised, and the organization recognized Fran Anderson as Mom of the Year.
As a company The Andersons Company has always been supportive of the charity. However, Mom’s House Executive director, Christina Rodriguez Hicks especially enjoyed working closely with them in a different capacity as they honored Anderson.
“We were able to get to know the family and really saw the heart of the individuals who are so invested in our community,” said Hicks. “Fran was so thrilled and has already agreed to attend and help out next year.”
Hicks estimates that the event raised approximately $20,000. In addition to The Andersons, the event was sponsored by Impact Products, Everdry Waterproofing, Sovran Companies, and Hal and Kelly Reed. The gala event also offered a sneak peek at the new Mom’s House logo which will be unveiled to the public in June, and it kicked off the sale of Mom’s House wine at The Andersons.
Upcoming eventsJune 6: Poker Run. Join Walgreens employees for their annual charity motorcycle ride. The event includes a 100 mile ride, lunch, music, games and of course a hand of poker. $25 for drivers, $10 for passengers and $15 for passengers playing poker. Call Irene at (419) 662-4000.
June 6: Irish Lot Party. Enjoy gambling, live music, food and beverage with Central Catholic High School friends and alumni. $5 admission or free admission with the purchase of a $50 raffle ticket. Call (419) 255-2306 or visit centralcatholic.org for more information.
Christine Senack is a Toledo-based consultant helping non-profit organizations, businesses and individuals work smarter together for the greater good of our community. On occasion she also presents the TMZ Report on FOX Toledo News First at 4. Connect with her on www.facebook.com or follow at www.twitter.com/csenack.
