Community Groups

Second Harvest: Fruit of the Spirit

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:15:59 -0700

By Lois Rockhill

The July issue of a local church newsletter focused on the Fruit of the Spirit. Contributors were invited to write one page, double-spaced accounts of kindness or goodness they experienced or observed in the outreach ministry of the church. Five of the eight authors wrote about the church’s food assistance pantry.

The majority of the programs supported by Second Harvest Food Bank are pantries. Nearly all of these pantries are operated by churches or supported by the faith-base community. Most have no paid staff, and most have been serving their communities for a decade or more.

Feeding the hungry and ministering to those in need are practical outcomes of people deeply committed to their religious beliefs. Churches in every community and of every denomination take this mandate seriously. While temples and mosques are not common in our region of Indiana, devout people of all beliefs look for opportunity to give to those in need.

The people sharing in the church newsletter left this reader in awe of the process of pantry day. They painted a picture of people of the church and people of the pantry inspiring one another. What a tremendous commitment on the part of volunteers to give hours of their time daily, weekly, monthly to unload trucks, handle cases and tons of food, greet those needing assistance and do many, many other acts of kindness.

There is usually a faithful core of volunteers who keep a pantry going. They are the workers, the ones who keep the food coming in and the doors open. It is this core of volunteers who are most often blessed by those they help. They see people in need helping each other even when it means sharing meager resources to do so.

The newsletter tells a touching story of one pantry client providing another with a ride home and with assistance carrying groceries up to this elderly man’s apartment. Another tells of grandparents caring for grandchildren and reaching out to a child in the neighborhood who also needs their help.

We learn in this newsletter that these pantry volunteers are doing more than providing food to needy neighbors. They write with a joy of being involved in this ministry. They write with a real love for the people who enter their lives through the pantry door. They write in admiration of the whole network that gets food through the system and on to the tables of people struggling to make ends meet.

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana will bring millions of pounds of food into this region by the end of this year. Perhaps a couple hundred thousand pounds will go to this particular pantry to help them feed their neighbors.

We know that local pantries will continue to feel the pressure of diminishing resources and increased need. Second Harvest is committed to filling that need by funneling donations from the food industry to our network of pantries and meal programs.

Perhaps it is time for your church or organization to establish a food pantry or commit to ongoing support of one serving your community. Funds, food and volunteers are needed at every level of the food assistance network. Visit our Web site at www.curehunger.org for more information or phone (765) 287-8698 ext. 100 to get involved.

Lois Rockhill is executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. She can be reached at lrockhill@curehunger.org.

Second Harvest Column: Columbus Flood Relief

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:40:53 -0700

By Lois Rockhill

U.S. Rep. Mike Pence spoke to Muncie Rotary more than a month ago about the devastation the Indiana floods had caused in his hometown of Columbus, Ind. He appealed to Rotarians to reach out to the Columbus club to help them help restore their town. Gay Nation took the lead and organized work groups to go down on three consecutive Saturdays. I joined Gay and sister Rotarian Pat Garafolo on the trip this past week.

We stepped into the East Side Community Center in Columbus and found that small room packed with people packing lunches. Our job was to deliver the lunches to areas of town where homes had been flooded. The meals were packed in carry-out containers and the containers in cardboard boxes that were loaded into five waiting vehicles. We brought plenty of water and that was divvied up as well. We quickly jumped into different cars with people who knew the routes and started off.

The Columbus hospital was damaged so badly that it had to be evacuated. Employees continue to report to work and to be paid but their work assignments are often not hospital related. There was quite a crew of hospital employees at East Side, dishing up food, delivering lunches, and cleaning up the center. Pat and Gay had met many on their trip the week before.

I rode with Charlie, a Rotarian, and Ginger, a community volunteer. Ginger had delivered meals before and knew the route. We went into one of the hardest hit areas of Columbus. We delivered 58 of the 60 meals we took. Many, many homes were vacant. Many had huge barrel fans set up and running. From the outside most houses looked normal but a glance in the windows showed interiors with nothing left but floor boards and studs.

We saw debris and piles of saturated belongings lining the streets as home owners continued the tough task of emptying out their basements. A few people had RVs pulled into their driveways as a place to live while doing repairs. There were a surprising number of real estate sale signs.

As we approached homes the smell of mildew and dirty water was overpowering. We wondered how those who were hoping to live there would ever get rid of that stench. People still living on the blocks we traveled seemed resigned to their situations and committed to getting their homes back in order. They were thankful for the lunches and for the volunteers who brought them.

Back at East Side, kitchen cleanup was under way. We barely got started when we were recruited to unload a truck. The Catholic parish at Geist had collected enough household items to fill a large moving truck and a pickup. A couple dozen people seemed to appear from nowhere and begun unloading by hand, in 90-degree humid heat, sofas, beds, appliances, televisions and much, much more. Whew — it was tough! We sat the stuff down in the parking lot. Once it was unloaded, pre-selected families were invited to pick out what they could use.

It is hard to imagine how much more help will be needed before families are back on their feet. From the looks of things their community will be there for them and so will others who hear about the need. United Way is coordinating the volunteer efforts and a Web search shows a number of churches also addressing the task.

We see it all the time at Second Harvest Food Bank. Once people know the need and how they can help, they do. That’s how we continue to get food to people in crisis here in east central Indiana. Citizens see the need and respond. Food and funds are donated. Time and energy is donated. The community rallies and responds.

Crisis may be generated by a flood and more commonly by lack of work, low wages, divorce, illness or aging. Like the flooded out residents of Columbus, children, families and singles in our town need some, and sometimes a lot, of help while they struggle to get back on their feet. We are fortunate to live in a land where reaching out with a helping hand is considered the right thing to do!

Lois Rockhill is executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. She can be reached at lrockhill@curehunger.org.

Operation Weatherization at Madison County United Way

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:25:17 -0700

ANDERSON, IN - The United Way of Madison County and JobSource are seeking volunteers and corporate sponsors for the 2nd Annual OPERATION Weatherization on Saturday, November 1st.

Volunteers will work in teams at pre-selected energy inefficient homes, in Anderson, Alexandria and Pendleton, completing simple weatherization tasks such as caulking, weather-stripping, plastic-wrapping windows, changing furnace filters and lightbulbs to CFLs.

Volunteers and contractor volunteers are needed. Call our office at 765-643-7493 to volunteer. All corporate sponsorships and donations raised for OPERATION Weatherization will be used to purchase materials to improve the energy efficiency of pre-determined homes selected through JobSource' s Weatherization Department.

Join our cause or donate through Facebook, so we know that we have your support.

Source: Madison County United Way

1st Annual Golf Classic Raises $24,236 for Madison County United Way

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:20:02 -0700

ANDERSON, IN - Approximately 250 golfers and volunteers participated in one of Madison County's premier golf events on Friday, July 11th raising $24,236 for both the United Way and the Chamber of Commerce.

Cash prizes were awarded to the following:

1st Place- Austin/Reske/Lanane Team of Steve Lewis, Tim Miller, Brock Hubble, and Alan Whitmore
2nd Place- Sam Piece Chevrolet Team of Mike Mercer, Chad Castor, Dean Pruitt, and Mike Ross
3rd Place- Center for Mental Health Team of Rich DeHaven, Kyle DeHaven, Mike McGee and Matt Quigley
4th Place- LM Products Team of LJ Mechem, Mike Ryan, Clay Arnett and Bill Pritchett

Putting Contest Winner-Jay Heineman (Heineman/Lowe Team)
Longest Drive Men- Matt Quigley (CMH Team)
Longest Drive Women- Gena Starks (Tire Barn Team)
Straightest Drive- Mike Gentry (Primrose Retirement Communities Team)
Closest to the Pin- Mark Hoover (JC Hoover & Associates Team)
Closest to the Pin- Sean O'Rourke (Fairfield Inn Team)
Closest to the Pin- Connie Alexander (The Herald Bulletin Team)
Closest to the Pin- John Paugh (Carter Logistics Team)

Skins were awarded to the teams of Primrose Retirement Communities, Sam Pierce Chevrolet, LM Products, Anderson Federation of Teachers, and Irving Materials.

A very special thanks to our sponsors!

GOLD SPONSORS

Countryside Manor Health & Living Community
Robert L. Loudermilk DDS
National City Bank

SILVER SPONSORS

Anderson/Madison County Visitor's & Convention Bureau
Anderson Federation of Teachers #519
Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Home
Burkhart Advertising, Inc.
Carter Logistics, LLC
Center for Mental Health
Church of God Ministries
Collision Cure
Community Hospital Anderson
Dauss Architects
E & B Paving, Inc.
ESC
Ent & Imler CPA Group PC
GDI, Inc.
Hoosier Park Racing & Casino
Indiana Surgery Centers
Irving Materials, Inc.
Labor Ready
Lampco Federal Credit Union
M.K. Betts Engineering & Contracting, Inc.
Midwest Luxury Baths
Old National Bank
Primrose Retirement Communities
Ricker Oil Company
Saint John's Health System
Sam Pierce Chevrolet
Sentry Trust Title Co.
State Representatives Terri Austin & Scott Reske and State Senator Tim Lanane
The Herald Bulletin
Tire Barn

BRONZE SPONSORS

Fredericks, Inc.
Edgewater Woods
Harvest Supermarkets
Keystone Woods Assisted Living Community
W.R. Dunkin & Son, Inc.

IN-KIND SPONSORS

Anthem
Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Home
Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Ed Martin Automotive Group
The Herald Bulletin
Meadowbrook Golf Course
Pay Less Super Markets
Phillippe Water
Prairie Farms Dairy-Anderson Division
WQME
Wal*Mart

Source: Madison County United Way

Second Harvest Column

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:07:07 -0700

By Lois Rockhill

Everything we do at Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana is done with a picture in our heads and hearts. The picture is of a child, a family, a senior — a neighbor who has food on the table because of the resources we are able to gather and provide. With 9,300 low-income people using pantries and kitchens every week in this area, the faces of hunger are important to keep in mind.

Kids are eating this summer at 14 sites in four counties because Second Harvest has joined the group of Summer Food sponsors. That means tummies are full and parents less stressed knowing their children have lunch. Some sites are providing breakfast, lunch and snack, as well as a day full of activities and supervision. Kids Cafe is continuing through the summer in some locations. We distributed 10,000 pounds of food for children’s meals in May alone.

More than a hundred charitable programs in eight counties are better able to provide meals, shelter, child care, senior programs, youth programs, rehabilitation and pantry services with the food and products we secure from our region and throughout the nation. This helps program clients directly and takes some weight off of the organizations’ budgets. What they get from Second Harvest for a minimal contribution allows them to use their scarce dollars for other necessities. Last month, we provided nearly 200,000 pounds of donated food, valued at $338,000, to help local programs.

Our Second Harvest tailgate distribution relieves local pantries while providing a half dozen items to families in each county once every month. This outdoor, drive-through pantry enables Second Harvest to get lots of fresh produce, beverages and dairy to people in need very quickly. In May, more than 88,000 pounds of food was distributed through the Tailgate Program reaching more than 3,000 area families.

Our contract with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs enables us to provide a wonderful mix of government commodities to more than 50 pantries in East Central Indiana. We receive the USDA food and deliver it every two months or so for pantries to distribute to their clients. The products include canned and dried fruits, canned vegetables, fruit juice, rice, cereal, dried beans, meat, poultry, fish, pasta products, soups, baking mix and peanut butter. Second Harvest Food Bank delivered 118,144 pounds of this highly desirable product to pantries in East Central Indiana in May.

Second Harvest Food Bank does this good work with the help of the community. At a cost of 22 cents per pound of food, Second Harvest depends on United Way, individual and corporate donations, agency contributions, special events, foundation grants and some government funds to pay the bills.

Food donations are very important to keep the warehouse full and hungry people in our communities fed. Last month, the Letter Carriers Food Drive brought in nearly 60,000 pounds to our warehouse for Madison County agencies and 100,000 pounds more directly to agencies in the remaining seven counties.

Nestlé provided more than 20,000 pounds of product to Second Harvest in May. Wal-Mart donated 12,400 pounds of food from their Gas City distribution center. Prairie Farms donated 6,983 pounds, and Marsh’s perishable food warehouse provided almost 6,500 pounds of product for hunger relief through Second Harvest Food Bank. America’s Second Harvest, the nation’s food bank network, helped us obtain 40,000 pounds of potatoes as well as large loads from Procter & Gamble, Kellogg and NutriSystem.

Help also came in the form of volunteers from Comcast Cable, Ball State University, Yorktown High School and many individuals including Rep. Terri Austin, District 36. Some 185 volunteers gave 1,111 hours to help Second Harvest alleviate hunger in east central Indiana last month.

This snapshot of May 2008 is similar to every month of the year. With 49,000 people in east central Indiana living in poverty and many more balancing on the edge, our work is critical and dependent on the goodwill of community members. Our thanks to all who play a part in helping Second Harvest Food Bank make east central Indiana a community that cares for its most vulnerable residents.

Lois Rockhill is Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc.

Second Harvest Column

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 4 Jun 2008 09:00:54 -0700

By Lois Rockhill

We had a visitor this week. Although he is a donor, this was his first trip to Second Harvest Food Bank. He found his way to our new location in Delaware County. He made his way to my office — he knew from our newsletters that he would find me in a construction trailer in the main warehouse. He handed me a very generous donation. “I usually give $20,” he said, “but this time I was moved to do more.” He knew from our literature that his check would provide food enough for 5,000 meals. And it could not have come at a better time.

Take a look at the legal section of your newspaper. Are you as stunned as I am with the number of foreclosures? Check out the gas stations. Will gasoline go higher than $4 a gallon before the summer is over — or the week is out? What about food prices? If you can afford to drive to the grocery, can you afford to buy what you used to? And school is out. Families already stressed by escalating prices are feeding kids who ate free at school barely a week ago.

Our visitor had tears in his eyes when he talked about the pull on his heart to make this gift to Second Harvest. His experience serving on the board of a local food pantry and being a member of a church that supported another pantry sharpened his understanding of the need. He knew his gift would make a difference.

It was a good week for community support. We picked up our first donation from the Nestlé plant in Anderson. Red Gold called with a huge donation of 33,000 pounds of spaghetti sauce and tomato products. Jim Needham’s social ethics class from Ball State University began their 20 hours per student volunteer activities sorting product and putting up additional pallet racking. We got word that the Madison County Community Foundation made a $10,000 gift to our endowment.

Second Harvest Food Bank survives and thrives because of people in our communities who are moved to action. Funds, food, time and expertise are given again and again and again. These resources are critical to our mission of alleviating hunger in East Central Indiana.

This kind of support got a lot done this past week. Our drivers delivered tons of food to three dozen organizations in the region. We got 13 Summer Food Service sites up and running. We did two Tailgate stops on Friday. Because our community cared, nearly 10,000 struggling people had food to eat this week.

Pantries continue to report increased numbers of desperate people coming to their doors. At the Tailgate in Muncie, 174 cars were lined up and waiting for the 9 a.m. start time. It is easy to believe that the need will continue to grow throughout the summer.

Parents looking for activities and lunch for their children might consider sites that offer the Summer Food Program. Second Harvest Food Bank sponsors 13 sites and can bring others on if your organization is interested. Currently Second Harvest sponsors sites in Anderson with the city recreational programs at the Geater Center, Greenbriar School, North Anderson Community Center, Fifth Street United Methodist Church and 10th Street School, also at the Alexandria Community Center and Chesterfield Christian Church.

In Muncie our sites are at MOMS, Madison Street United Methodist Church and Christ Temple Church. We also sponsor Summer Food in Hartford City at the Blackford County YMCA and at the Salvation Army in Marion. Call us at (765) 286-8698 for more information.

I surprise myself by being surprised at the gifts that come our way. So many people over the years have followed their hearts and given their resources because they care about their neighbors and believe in the work we do. Our guest this week with his generous donation and compassionate heart reminded me of this.

Lois Rockhill is Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc.

Editorial: Alex Halasz and Jay Flanagan Raise the Rent

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:22:30 -0700

The following is a true account of my experiences dealing with Jay Flannagan (Jay Flanagan?) (Anderson, IN) and Alex Halasz (California), who own a building at 1529 1/2 South A in Elwood, Indiana.

Here are some pictures of the state of my apartment. After you look at them, you can see why I wanted to know why my rent (and my rent alone) was raised from $100/week to $150/week.

Both Jay Flannagan (Flanagan) and the building managers - Jay and Vicki Kelich - know of the damage in my apartment. (I went a few months with a leaky roof.) These pictures don't show how the radiators don't work in my apartment most of the time, but I did plug in a space heater (which almost shorted out the whole apartment - see photo above.)

Like I said, I'm not doing this with malice, but to let people know the state of my apartment and the treatment I'm receiving from the building owners and the building manager.

This is video of me asking one of the owners why I was the only one who had their rent raised and whether he knew the shape of my apartment.

Building manager at 1529 1/2 South A

About a week before the first video above, Tom Doan, building commissioner for Elwood walked by the Elwood newsroom. The Computer Dude and I went out to talk with him. The building next door had called him because someone at 1529 1/2 South A threw a whole bunch of building materials from apartment #8 into the parking lot of an adjacent building - and let them sit there a week or so.

I told Mr. Doan that I'd walk around front with him, but that I was afraid if I was seen with him I would be retaliated against. He said it would be ok, and we walked around to the front of the building where Mr. Jay Kelich was sweeping the front sidewalk. I went inside back to my apartment.

A day or so later (about a week after being told I was one of the ones who was going to pay), I had a knock on my apartment door. Mr. Jay Kelich handed me a note (with a lot of it scribbled out) saying that due to property taxes and utilities, rent was being raised from $100/week to $150/week effective immediately.

I asked Mr. Jay Kelich whether I was the only one to have my rent raised and he said I wasn't, and that the tenant in number 7 might have to move out because she wouldn't be able to afford it either. We talked a little and I asked him to let the other tenants know I wanted to talk with them about the rent being raised when there is so much damage to the building from the roof the owners took their time fixing. (One of the roofing contractors told me the roof needed to be redone completely, but they only paid to have it 'patched up.'

Mr. Jay Kelich left the note with me (copy to be online later) and left. I started thinking about it and realized that I might be the only one who was having their rent raised. Then I remembered Jay Kelich saying I was going to pay. Was this connected? I didn't know.

The next day I made a few calls and found out I was the only one who had gotten the notice. What I didn't understand, and still don't, is that they've put new doors on one or two of the apartments (and started sanding down the building manager's apartment for hardwood floors), but my roof was still bare, metal still sticking out of my sockets, the walls still falling down, etc.

A day or so after receiving the notice, I happened on Jay Flannagan (Flanagan) in the hallway. Being an intrepid reporter, I grabbed my video camera and went out to ask him some questions. As you can see by the video above, his answer somewhat changes when he realizes he's being filmed.

Like I said, I'm not doing this out of malice, but to let the citizens of East Central Indiana know how this building is currently being run and that if you get fed up with promises and contact city officials this might happen to you.

What would you do?

Community Leaders Provide Answers to Youth

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:07:25 -0700

ANDERSON, IN - Mayor Ockomon in partnership with Urban League of Madison County and Security Dads, will be hosting the first City sponsored Youth Summit, Thursday, April 17th, 6pm-7:30pm, in the City Hall auditorium.

Youth, ages 13 and up are invited to pose their questions to a distinguished panel of over fifteen community leaders, including Mayor Kris Ockomon; Sally DeVoe, Madison County Community Foundation; Bill Raymore, Urban League; Ron Richardson, Madison County Sheriff; Chief Darron Sparks, APD; Fred Reese, Parks Department superintendent; Holly Renz, Madison County Sexual Assault Treatment Center; and others.

“This is a place where teen voices can be heard,” says Jeff Cottrell, program director for Urban League of Madison County. “It’s designed for youth to have a forum to connect with community leaders,” he added.

Flyers and announcements are being distributed in all community schools to encourage attendance to the event. For more information, please contact Jeff Cottrell at 765-649-7126 or via email at cottrelljeffrey68@yahoo.com

Source: City of Anderson Press Release

Second Harvest: Private vs. Public

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:35:52 -0700

By Lois Rockhill

Dr. J. Larry Brown, Harvard School of Public Health, made a presentation to the Maine Nutrition Council last month. He explored the question, “How do we end domestic hunger?” slanting his answer toward his firm belief that the federal government is responsible to do so.

Brown is remembered by some as a student at Anderson College (now University) 40 years ago. Since then, he has dedicated his life to justice issues and national hunger concerns. In his speech last month he pointed out that hunger in America can be ended and ended quickly. It can be done not by charities but by the national government.

While Brown recognizes that food banks, food pantries and meal programs stand between needy people and severe hunger, he challenges these same charities. He tells us that feeding the hungry is not the way to end hunger.

We have heard the story United Way promotes about rescuing babies from the river. This story appears to be a variation of a fable Brown created years ago. In his version, it is farmers caught in a fast flowing river. Much effort goes into rescue work involving platforms and ropes to pull people from the river.

At some point, a delegation goes up river and finds that the path to the fields was so close to the river that occasionally victims slid off the bank and into the river. Soon they changed the route of the path, and from that time on, no one fell into the river again. The rescue work was no longer needed.

I agree with Brown that private charities have nowhere close to the capacity of the government to address hunger. I agree that any thought from our government leaders that the private charitable network can pick up more responsibility for feeding hungry people is absurd. We have yet to fill the gap between federal nutrition programs and pressing need. The increasing need that we now face is almost irrelevant in light of never having had enough resources to adequately address hunger in our communities.

Brown has some radical suggestions for steps to take to end hunger in America. He believes that the federal programs already in existence would end hunger if strengthened. This would include food stamps, child nutrition programs and elderly feeding programs. He estimates that this would take an addition of only $10 billion to $12 billion a year. If you would like Brown’s complete speech, please contact me and I will get a copy to you.

I read Brown’s speech and reviewed some supporting research as I was on my way to a national meeting of executive directors of the food bank network. At the meeting, we were energized by a network strategically working to raise awareness of hunger and find more food and funds. Rather than planning to cease operations in 4 years as Brown suggests as a catalyst to push the government to end hunger, our network is deeply into plans to feed a million more Americans this year and a million more next year.

We honored Nancy Montanez Johner, United States Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services and two of her colleagues for implementing a creative plan to barter surplus stocks for food for the hungry. This initiative delivered 1,412 truckloads of food to the food bank network, with more expected in a second round.

Brown seems to fear that celebrating these partnerships will take the pressure off decision makers in the federal government who must take the major steps necessary to provide enough food to end hunger for Americans.

Perhaps Brown is right. Ending hunger for Americans is the job of the federal government. More money for nutrition programs is certainly important and would solve the challenges of the local pantries and kitchens futilely trying to meet the need with restricted and often dwindling resources.

I can’t see our network taking the kind of stand Brown recommends, but I hope we make rapid progress in persuading our government representatives to boldly take the lead in ending hunger. If they can reroute the path, local charities will have far less people to rescue.

Lois Rockhill is executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. She can be reached at lrockhill@curehunger.org.

Gateway Announces Child Care and Summer Programming

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 8 Apr 2008 12:39:36 -0700

ANDERSON, IN - Gateway Association, Inc. would like to you to visit our new child care center and enroll for childcare and summer camp. The Children’s Center is a child care facility, licensed by the State of Indiana. The Center is located at 1215 Jackson Street in First United Methodist Church of Anderson, and serves children from age 2 through 8. Child care openings are currently available.

Gateway Association, Inc. added childcare services through the Gateway Children’s Center to its menu of beneficial programs for preschool age children: Developmental Preschool, Pediatric Therapy, Respite Care and now Child Care. The Children’s Center offers full day child care services for children age 2-6, and 2-8 during the summer, Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Children who attend The Children’s Center experience wellness, early childhood and school readiness education every day. Each classroom offers children social, emotional, language development, early reading skills, and math and science activities in an environment that will prepare them for success in school. Children with special needs are welcome with speech and physical therapy services available as needed. Nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks are served throughout the day. Openings are currently available. Gateway Children’s Center accepts CCDF child care vouchers.

The Children’s Center is now taking applications for its summer programming that starts in June. During the summer, young children from age 2 through 8 will experience activities in a safe, age appropriate summer day camp format. The summer camp offers a wide variety of fun learning activities, such as: field trips, community outings, and movies at Mounds Mall, water days, bowling, swimming, craft days and much, much more. For children who are entering elementary school; the Children’s Center will help prepare and refresh the important kindergarten and early learning skills necessary for elementary school. Gateway Association, Inc. is a certified agency of the United Way of Madison County.

Gateway’s Children’s Center is conveniently located downtown Anderson in the First United Methodist Church at 1215 Jackson St. If you would like more information or to enroll your child for child care services or summer programming, please contact Gateway at (765) 649-4991 or (765) 649-1900.

The mission of Gateway Association, Inc. is to actively participate with families to positively impact children’s lives. We do this through pediatric therapy services, early education, and developmental preschool, family education and caregiver support services. We believe early intervention is the key to unlocking a child’s potential.

Source: Gateway Association Press Release

Second Harvest: Homeward Bound

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 10:35:09 -0700

By Lois Rockhill

Evelyn Goode is the spokeswoman for Homeward Bound for East Central Indiana. Her story serves to motivate community groups and individuals to raise funds for hunger and homelessness. It’s best to read her story in her own words. Go to our Second Harvest Food Bank website at www.curehunger.org, click on the ‘related links’ tab and then on Homeward Bound. Once on the statewide site, go to the map and choose East Central Indiana

Evelyn tells the story of her own personal struggle as a young mother of five making the difficult decision to leave a marriage destroyed by addiction. “The breaking point was after Christmas of 1993. My children ranged in age from 4 years to eleven. With no tree, no presents, and no Christmas dinner, I decided to try and get help.”

From that point of action, Evelyn’s story goes on to recount challenges overcome by her own determination and with the help of others. Today she holds a university degree and a position of responsibility at a local bank. “I wake up everyday accepting that there are things in life I can’t control and knowing that it is how I choose to react that determines my destiny.”

Thousands of Hoosiers will choose to react to stories like Evelyn’s by walking this month in a statewide event called Homeward Bound. Here in our region the walk will take place in Chesterfield at noon on April 27. There are 14 agencies from Delaware and Madison County that are benefiting from the walk. All are looking for team members.

Second Harvest has broadened the field by encouraging all the agencies we serve in eight counties to form a team under our auspices. Their team will raise money to help leverage more food from Second Harvest. Pantries and meal programs getting food from Second Harvest help defray the food bank’s cost of obtaining, storing and delivering the products to them by contributing a portion of the total cost. Homeward Bound funds from designated teams will help them with this.

Other teams will raise money to help organizations provide housing, shelter and supportive services. This is an opportunity for businesses, schools, churches and other groups to support the work that goes on every day to provide for people in their moment of need. Evelyn’s story shared so bravely and generously, shows what a difference we make in the lives of others when we step forward to offer our support.

While you are putting dates on the calendar, please add a note to May 10. That is the date of the largest one day food drive in the nation! The Letter Carriers Food Drive requires very little from the community. They do it all for you!

All you have to do is select canned goods from your kitchen shelf, put them in a plastic bag and set it out by your mailbox that morning. Volunteers, letter carriers, rural carriers, post office staff will all be joining together to pick up your donations and see that they get to a pantry in your town.

Lois Rockhill is Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc

March 28 Airport Relocation Update

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:32:51 -0700

By "NO FLY ZONE"

Sorry we've been rather silent lately...guess we've been waiting for something "definitive" to happen regarding the proposed SW Madison County airport. Not much has happened officially - and certainly not much out in the open. But in order to keep everyone up-to-speed, here's what we do know:

1) Fishers has contacted Mayor Ockomon about the possibility of once again partnering with Anderson in an attempt to relocate their airport to our area. In Mayor Ockomon's words, "They've been relentless." Mr. Ockomon recently told the Anderson Airport Support Group (AASG) that he has "rebuffed them on every point." He went on to again declare the SW Madison Airport "dead". We've heard from several sources that some individuals and business people have also been "working on" Mayor Ockomon, to get him to change his position on the airport. We have no reason to believe they have had any success in having him back down from his promises.

2) Fishers officials have met with Lapel town officials in an attempt to get their backing for the proposed relocation airport. Lapel officials say they learned nothing new from the meeting. Lapel Town Council members say they "cannot imagine a situation in which we will change our position," though Fishers believes they can help the town annex property in an apparent exchange for Lapel's agreement to rezone it and allow an airport to go in. Again, we do not believe the Lapel town council would make any such agreement at this time.

3) Fishers has been approaching towns which adjoin these portions of Green Township, and has been investigating a partnership with them behind the scenes. To date, those towns have not made public statements which either support or oppose the airport. It might be important for people to call their town council members and make their views known, now that Fishers is pursuing them. If you believe your area might be annexed into either of these municipalities in the next few years, then your views are still important and should be heard by these officials who will end up representing you, because they may some day want your vote.

4) At least one of the current 3 county commissioners is not seeking re-election next November. If Fishers is turned down by Anderson and Lapel, we believe they will approach the County and try to get them on board. So it is crucial for us all to educate ourselves on the candidates and ask them where they stand on the airport issue.

5) If Fishers can obtain enough land options, the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) would have to at least look at and consider the possibility of relocating Metropolitan Airport into this portion of Green Township. The IAA continues to insist they are not in the business of closing airports and that it would take widespread support by the community to do so, which we doubt will ever exist in SW Madison. Still, we need to be vigilant about our elected officials supporting the "No SW Madison Airport" position.

6) The case challenging Mayor Ockomon's eligibility to run and serve as Mayor of Anderson has been dismissed. However, Thursday we discovered that the five plaintiffs in the original case have filed yet again. According to The Herald Bulletin*:

"In what is called a motion to correct error, the plaintiffs argue that both the declaratory judgment filed by John Suko, Larry Davis, Carol Auker, Doug Zook and Nick Vores and the quo warranto filed by Kevin Smith should not be dismissed.

"A declaratory judgment is a judgment made by a court that expresses an opinion on a question of law without ordering anything to be done. A quo warranto shows that an individual has the authority of an elected office.

"Unlike an appeal, a motion to correct error goes back to the trial court.

“Basically, it says ‘your decision is inconsistent with the law and here’s why,’” David Brooks, attorney for the plaintiffs, said."

7) Fishers continues to pursue forced annexation of the Geist area, and this has taken much of their time, taxpayer money and legal attention. Indiana Senate Bill 114, which would have prevented their annexation attempt, was stalled in committee in the Indiana House after having narrowly passed in the Senate. This legislation is now dead, unless it is resurrected during the next legislative session. While Fishers money is being spent in large amounts for this purpose, it seems logical that there would be some reluctance on the part of their more fiscally responsible councilmembers to cast taxpayer money into the politically ensnarled airport situation in SW Madison County.

For continuing updates on the Fishers-Geist fight, you may wish to visit http://geistblogs.com/saynotofishers/

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please reply to dont_fly_zone@hotmail.com

*http://www.heraldbulletin.com/local/local_story_087204533.html

We’ll be in touch!! Have a great Spring!

NO FLY ZONE/don’t fly zone

Second Harvest Column: Hillary Clinton at the Wigwam

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:48:16 -0700

By Lois Rockhill

I have not committed to a candidate for U.S. president. That did not stop me from standing in the long line to get into the Anderson Wigwam to see Hillary Clinton. The line itself was inspirational. So many young people. So many women. “Pantsuits are Awesome,” read a sign in the crowd.

I took my grandson Nathan. I wanted him to know that the little girls in his kindergarten class could grow up to be president. He knew about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. I wanted him to know that a Hillary had the same opportunity. I told him about Barack Obama and said that children of color could be president when they grew up. I mentioned that John McCain was a candidate. Little white boys could grow up to be president too.

Being one in a crowd of 6,000, with time on my hands once Nathan stopped wiggling and before Hillary appeared, gave me opportunity to think about this cross section of our community. True that most were there because they agreed with party politics, it was also true that many differences were represented.

There wasn’t any way Hillary or any other candidate could speak to all the concerns we had. Jobs, education, bureaucracy issues, poverty, taxes — the list was unending. But we waited with interest to hear what it was she would promise. We waited and cheered her words of hope.

You might think it a stretch to compare that experience with the one I had on Saturday. I stood outside the Pay Less Super Market at Cross Street to remind shoppers that We Can Care. It was the day the Madison County Highway Department picked to do their part in the countywide food drive. The event was to help Second Harvest Food Bank stock the shelves of area pantries. I was there on that very cold day to support the effort.

The similarity was in the cross section of the community. True, people came for food, not politics. But they too responded to promises and hope. We promised to feed their neighbors in need and, with their help, to serve up hope with that food. We brought to their attention the fact that as a community, we can care for our own.

Not everyone needed reminded. Along with highway department employees Ivan and Gerrald and Zachary’s grandpa, we had volunteers from the Chesterfield Community Food Pantry and House of Hope at our location. I had people stop to stuff money in our Prairie Farms milk jug who worked at other human service agencies. We had people sign their names on the big green snow plow who have been longtime donors to Second Harvest and others who simply wanted to be known as people who care.

Every donation, food or funds, was heartfelt. Some gave out of their abundance and others sacrificially. A woman living in a shelter with her children dropped a box of treats into the collection box. A man stuffed a dollar in the jug. After he left I heard he was unemployed. His comment was that someone might need it worse than he.

On this sunny afternoon with the rhubarb and daffodils pushing through the warming sod, I am grateful for hope. I saw it last week in a crowd of people, eyes bright in anticipation of political promise. I saw it again in the response from shoppers who cared enough to take a positive action for neighbors in need of a helping hand. It was how that hope expressed by individuals became a community effort that was so powerful. It was clear to me that together we have tremendous impact for good.

Lois Rockhill is executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. She can be reached at lrockhill@curehunger.org.

Consignment Event Helps Local Families and Local Charities

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 03:01:12 -0700

Local mom organizes children’s sale to benefit area families

CHESTERFIELD, IN - Ring Around the Rosey began out of a dream of a local stay-at-home mom to be able to have one place for gently used, good quality, and reasonably priced items for her family and the families of Delaware and Madison County. “I would go from yard sale to yard sale or look online, trying to find decent items for my fast-growing children, and decided that there must be a better way to do this,” said owner, Trina Knight.

Ring Around the Rosey is a semi-annual consignment event that gives local parents the ability to easily sell their outgrown/unused baby, children and maternity items to other parents who can use them for their own families. Participating families bring their quality children and maternity clothing, toys, furniture and baby equipment to Ring Around the Rosey’s sale location (Millcreek Civic Center, 17 Veterans Blvd., Chesterfield, IN).

What: 5th, Semi-Annual, Baby, Children and Maternity Consignment Event. Open to the public.

When: April 17, 18, 19, 2008.

Where: Millcreek Civic Center, 17 Veterans Blvd.., Chesterfield, IN

RATR then returns 70% of the sales price to the consigning families, which allows them to earn some money on items that their children no longer need. Plus, they can use that extra money to find amazing deals on other things that they may need for their baby or child. “I'm so glad that there's now one place where I can easily sell my gently used childrens' items and even shop for new stuff for them while I’m there!" said local mom, Lane Schill.

At the end of the sale, consignors can donate their unsold items to a list of local charities including the Foster Parents Association and the Pregnancy Care Center in Anderson, two of the organizations that RATR is working with. The donated items will then be distributed directly to families that are currently in need of items. It truly is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

For more information about this semi-annual event, please call Trina at (765) 610-5359 or visit the website at www.RATRSALE.com.

Source: Ring Around the Rosey Press Release

Easter Egg Hunt Scheduled for Anderson Children

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:28:51 -0700

ANDERSON, IN - First United Methodist Church in Anderson, Indiana is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt (Egg-stravaganza) at Davis Park on Saturday, March 22 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.

Children 9 years old and under are invited to participate with an accompanying adult. Four egg hunts are scheduled for the afternoon.

Registration begins at 3:00pm and refreshments will be served to all attending.

An Easter Craft Corner will be active while children are awaiting the egg hunts. There, children will be creating several crafts to take home which celebrate Easter Sunday.

An Easter Magic Program with music will begin at 5:00pm. “The magic show will tell the story of Holy Week. Jesus reminds us that the gospel is for children as well as adults. The Easter Egg Hunt provides us with the opportunity to celebrate children and God’s love at the same time,” said Senior Pastor John Wortinger.

In the event of inclement weather, all activities will be held indoors at Davis Park located at Nichol Avenue (State Road 32) and Layton Road.

For more information, contact Cindy Quirk at First Methodist Church. Her phone number is 765.643.6977.

Contact: cindy@andersonfirst.org

We Can Care, the Madison County Food Drive

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:13:41 -0700

Goal: 120,000 pounds of food - which will provide more than 100,000 meals to hungry children, seniors and families in Madison County

Wrap-up celebration: April 10, 2008 at noon at the Anderson Public Library.

March 20th: Potato Luncheon at Anderson City Hall from 11am - 2pm

March 22nd: County Food Drive at grocery stores.

Huge city trucks will be at each of the following locations:

Pay Less stores at Applewood, 29th Street and Cross Street.
Marsh Supermarket in Pendleton
Cox's Supermarket in Alexandria
Wal-Mart

Volunteers are needed from 9am-4pm at each location on March 22nd.

County Food Drive Volunteers may contact Amy Macomber, Madison County Highway Department at 646-9240.

Anderson public schools and South Madison schools are also collecting food and funds. Scholars of Caring are coordinating collections in Alexandria and Elwood schools.

Other businesses collecting are:

Main Source Bank

WQME

Hoosier Park

Pendleton Retail Association

National City Bank

BI, Inc.

St. Mathew’s United Methodist Church

RSVP

Community Hospital

Madison Park Church of God

Church of God Ministries

City employees

County employees

Character Counts

Collection boxes and jugs for coins are available by phoning Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana 287-8698.

Second Harvest Column: Helpful Volunteers

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 6 Mar 2008 22:28:25 -0800

By Lois Rockhill

You may have watched Oprah Winfrey’s “The Big Give” this past Sunday. Participants compete to come up with the most creative ways to take a given amount of money and other resources and multiply them before giving them away to help others.

Contestants applied a year ago to be on the show. They range in age from 22 to 43 years. They will face many challenges as they strive to outdo each other for the good of others. The idea is to change lives in five days with the help of a lot of money and, of course, Harpo Productions.

The commercials for the show are appealing. At least one reminds me of people right here in east central Indiana who are giving big and changing lives. Their stories inspire me. There are so many people practicing “The Big Give” spirit in our community that we would be hard pressed to choose only 10 as Oprah has.

“We Can Care” kicked off last week. The month-long Madison County food drive was started by Greg Graham, now Anderson’s chair of the Board of Works. Greg heard that pantry shelves were empty following the holidays and our neediest residents had to do without enough food. He responded to that need by inviting community leaders to back a countywide food drive. Years later, the drive has generated well over 600,000 pounds of food. Hungry people are being fed, and good citizens are finding this avenue open to their own big giving.

Jeanne Lee knows how to mobilize a community. She has been involved in Girl Scouts, Alternatives, the Madison County Community Foundation and now with Second Harvest Food Bank. She is reaching into all areas of our east central Indiana service area to pull together resources that will keep the food bank strong and functioning for many years to come. She is changing lives as she encourages people with resources to help insure that we will keep up the good work.

I think of Carol Trimmer with Indiana Public Radio and how she connected Second Harvest and IPR. Because she connected the dots, IPR listeners are reminded and challenged to give big – of themselves and of their resources to end hunger and feed hope.

Then there is Ginnette Tavzel, executive director of the United Way of Jay County, and Jenny Dennis, executive director of the United Fund of Henry County. Both women have taken the issue of hunger very seriously. They have worked to mobilize volunteers in their communities to help at Tailgate distributions. These are events where Second Harvest provides a truck load of food for a drive through distribution — a real boon to residents in need and a big help to supplement the on-going work of the local pantries.

Speaking of pantries, and we could easily add kitchens, shelters, child care programs and senior programs — our list of people who give big will grow tremendously as we count the women and men involved at each. Some are paid staff, most are volunteers. They work tirelessly to end hunger and feed hope. They network in their communities, mobilize and inspire big giving.

I have named only a few of the many people who are change agents in east central Indiana. I like to think of volunteers, advocates, food donors, service donors, fund donors and community activist who are all big givers here in our community. I hope Oprah’s “Big Give” will touch her viewers and inspire people who need a nudge to join the ranks of people who step up to make a difference.

We have wonderful models living and breathing among us. With Oprah to help spotlight big giving, I look forward to seeing the rolls swell. And remember, big is relative. Do your best to make a difference. Whether it is a can of food or a semi trailer load, a handful of pennies or a six-figure gift, someone will be better off because you gave as big as you could!

Lois Rockhill is Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc.

Madison County recieves $90,674 in FEMA-EFSP Funds

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 5 Mar 2008 11:11:20 -0800

ANDERSON, IN - The United Way of Madison County has been awarded $90,674 in federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. The amount is $2,403 more than last year’s award. The award is based upon Madison County’s total number of unemployed as compared to the number of unemployed in all qualifying jurisdictions. This represents the largest distribution to Madison County since 1991.

The National Board, chaired by FEMA, consists of representatives from The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities, USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and United Way of America.

All organizations in Madison County are now invited to apply for part of these funds to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in Madison County. An organization need not be a certified agency of United Way of Madison County to apply for or receive this funding, but it must meet the following guidelines:

1) be a private non-voluntary non-profit or a governmental unit;

2) have a checking account (cash payments are not allowed);

3) have an accounting system in place;

4) practice non-discrimination;

5) have a Federal employer identification number (FEIN);

6) conduct an independent audit or annual review;

7) be providing services and using other agency resources in the area in which they are seeking funding;

8) to the extent practicable, involve homeless individuals and families, through employment, volunteer programs, etc., in providing emergency food and shelter services.

9) have a demonstrated track record for delivering emergency food and/or shelter programs, and,

10) if a private non-profit, have an active voluntary board.

To obtain an application form, please contact Nancy Anderson, at 643-7493 or via email at n.anderson@unitedwaymadisonco.org. Applications are due March 21, 2008 at noon to the United Way office located at 1201 E. 5th Street, Suite 1019 in Anderson to be considered for funding for 2008. Application forms can be found on the United Way of Madison County’s Web site http://www.unitedwaymadisonco.org/index.php?src=gendocs&link=FEMA%2FEFSP&category=Main. Applicants will be notified upon receipt of their application and of an application interview time.

A Local Board of representatives from the agencies on the National Board and other persons required by federal guidelines will convene to consider all applications and make final distribution recommendations. Agencies recommended to receive funding will be notified by April 11, 2008.

Second Harvest Column: The Farm Bill

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:52:22 -0800

By Lois Rockhill

The farm bill is still under construction. Anti-hunger lobbyists are pushing for completion by March 15, 2008. That’s the deadline for updating congressional budget estimates of federal spending. If we don’t have conference agreement on the farm bill by then, costs could go up.

According to experts at our national office, it is vitally important for members of Congress to understand that the nutrition program funding levels provided by both the House and Senate-passed farm bills cannot be reduced. There are 35.5 million people in this nation facing hunger each day. They can’t wait any longer for improvements in food stamp benefits and eligibility and the restoration of critically needed food commodities to The Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Please call your members of the U.S. Congress now and tell them you support a strong nutrition title. Log on to www.secondharvest.org to send an e-mail message. Click on "Advocate" and help create a hunger-free America.

Here in east central Indiana, you can get involved at the local level as well. If your church or organization can help feed children this summer, you need to know about the Summer Food Service Program. Uncle Sam will help pay the cost of the food. You provide the place and the volunteers. Erin Rockhill at Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana can help you get it started. Give her a call at (765) 287-8698, ext 102. Learn more at www.doe.in.gov/food/summer/welcome.html.

Madison County kicks off We Can Care this week. This month-long food and fund drive is garnering lots of excitement. Schools, businesses and organizations throughout the county are planning collections during all or part of the month of March.

Amy Macomber with the Madison County Highway Department has a big day planned on March 22 for We Can Care. The department has commitments from six locations for mega-food collections. It will have it big trucks at the 29th Street Pay Less, Cross Street Pay Less, Pendleton Marsh store, Cox’s in Alexandria and Wal-Mart on Scatterfield Road from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All locations are accepting volunteers to help with the collections. Our office manager, Tiffany Jones, can sign you up. She is at (765) 287-8698, ext. 100.

All the food and funds from We Can Care will stay in Madison County for hunger relief. The drive is coordinated by the City of Anderson, Madison County United Way and Second Harvest. Give us a call if you need collection boxes for food or milk jugs (thank you, Prairie Farms) for coin collections.

In Muncie this week, an ambitious fundraiser is taking place. Professor Ted Neal at Ball State notified us that faculty and students at BSU have spent three months creating 400 ceramic bowls. Chef Jason Reynold of the Atrium will be serving chili, toppings and drinks. Each bowl and meal will sell for $7 today, proceeds designated for hunger relief and homelessness.

You don’t have to see our place to know that our business is alleviating hunger in east central Indiana. But once you walk into our beautiful warehouse with pallet racks stacked high with many hundreds of cases of food on its way to pantries and meal programs in this region, you have a better understanding of the scope of our work. Come visit. Take a tour. See a presentation of hunger here at home.

We have scheduled 4 p.m. every Tuesday for guests to spend an hour with us. Call first to reserve your place. Once you see how we operate, I am sure that you, too, will be motivated to find ways that you can help end hunger and feed hope.

Lois Rockhill is Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc.

Second Harvest Column: Network of Human Kindness

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:12:39 -0800

By Lois Rockhill

This ongoing column is about hunger and poverty. I write about the part Second Harvest Food Bank plays in these issues. I try to point out, too, how each of us can advocate for stronger federal nutrition programs and how these programs positively impact the plight of our low-income residents.

It is usually an easy task to pick a subject and type away. Not this column. I am actually writing it during the Super Bowl just five days after my mother died here at my home. I am using a laptop. The screen has been blank for two hours and not because of any deep interest in the game. I have, it seems, energy only for grieving.

My mother was 93. She shared our home for more than eight years. She was confined to bed for the past three. I had lots of wonderful help caring for mom. My husband and daughter were terrific. Saint John’s Hospice and LifeStream provided critical services allowing us to keep Mom at home. She eventually qualified for a Medicaid waiver that picked up most of the costs for caretakers we hired.

Truthfully, it wasn’t easy. An evening out, vacation, an overnight or working late all required hard-to-do scheduling. Someone had to be at the house at all times. We’ll enjoy the freedom, once we get used to it. But we miss Mom, and we treasure the time we had together. As her health declined, her love for her family seemed to become more poignant.

During these years, I have thought often of other families. I wondered how people with already strained resources could manage to keep their loved one at home. I remembered how hard and time consuming it was to apply for the Medicaid waiver and to manage her care even with help.

Since Mom’s death, I have thought about the network of human kindness. Hearing from family and friends. Cards, flowers, visits. Kind words. People extending themselves to shore up a friend face to face with loss. Not unlike the kindness shown by so many when you hear that your neighbor is in need of food.

As I looked out over the crowd of people attending the Dream Ball Saturday night, I could appreciate how this annual fundraiser is an example of collective kindness. So many people reach out to make life easier for others. The planning, the preparation, the gathering of people who support our work is a moving testimony to their compassionate, caring hearts.

The woman preparing a meal with donated food may be in touch with the kindness of others. Like me, she might be thinking of their goodness in her time of need. Like you, she might be doing what she can to help another.

Mom spent her life caring for family, friends and strangers. In her last years, our immediate family soaked up that care and love. Her room is empty, but the goodness that was her will abide in our hearts forever. She will continue to remind us that there are many people making our world a good place to live.

(Lois Rockhill is executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. She can be reached at lrockhill@curehunger.org.)

Second Harvest Column: Where We Are

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 2 Feb 2008 17:04:06 -0800

By Lois Rockhill

Do you know where the Second Harvest Food Bank warehouse is? Up until November last year, you may have noticed it at the corner of 14th and Meridian streets in downtown Anderson, particularly if you found yourself stopped at the traffic light or eating at Real Hacienda.

Now you would need to be traveling Indiana 35 or Indiana 3 north of Muncie to see our sign on a complex of buildings next to the Water Bowl.

Chances are you see our trucks more often than our building. One has our cornucopia logo on it, another has cans of food. The third is identified with the ConAgra Feeding Children Better logo. These vehicles extend our reach into the eight counties that make up our service area. They are on the road daily with a heavy schedule of donation pickup and food delivery.

Usually, food delivery is targeted to the 130 programs receiving food from our warehouse. These deliveries are scheduled weekly. Pantry reps and staff from programs in our network order the food they want from our all-inclusive inventory list that is updated on our Web page every morning. More than 60,000 pounds of food, about 10 percent of our inventory, goes out each week to programs providing food to needy neighbors. Another 16,000 pounds are distributed through our Tailgate Program, with two deliveries per week adding up to one tailgate a month in each of our eight counties.

The Tailgate Program can be considered a supplement to the pantries and meal programs in each county. Pantries might be open daily, weekly, monthly or bi-monthly. Some are open multiple times a week but limit the number of times per month a person can come in for food. Capacity to serve and resources with which to serve often determine how often the site is open and how often a client can visit. The Tailgate Program offers one more way for low-income people to get food for their families.

Second Harvest staff works with local charities and businesses to set up the tailgate schedule. Joe Fox does the scheduling and selects the food items for the food distribution. Dan Terrill, the driver, is responsible for hauling the food to the site and overseeing the distribution process. He counts on volunteers from our network and from local businesses to be there to help load client cars and keep a count of those served. Gary Benefiel is our alternate driver.

During an average tailgate, 8,000 pounds of food is given out in less than two hours to 250 families. Each family gets four or five items. Items could include fresh produce, a case of a beverage, a meal component such as soup, and a snack item. What is given depends on what is available at the Second Harvest Food Bank warehouse.

We try to keep the same monthly schedule for each county, but any tailgate distribution is subject to change. People interested in attending as volunteers or recipients should check their local newspapers and radio stations to confirm dates and times. You can also confirm at our Web site www.curehunger.org.

For the month of February we have scheduled as follows:

Saturday – The Horizon Center (Super Saturday) in Muncie, 10 a.m.

Friday, Feb. 8 – Blackford County Fairgrounds in Hartford City, 10 a.m.

Friday, Feb. 8 - Wabash Senior Citizen Center in Wabash, 11 a.m.

Friday, Feb. 15 – Moose Family Center in New Castle with United Fund, 9 a.m.

Friday, Feb. 22 – St. Martin Community Center in Marion, 12:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 29 – Buley Community Center in Muncie, 9 a.m.

Friday, Feb. 29 – Athletic Park in Anderson, 2 p.m.

Tailgates in Jay and Randolph counties are to be announced for February. We need volunteers for both counties in order to schedule. Portland and Winchester are the usual locations. Children and Family Services board members, staff and volunteers usually provide strong leadership for the tailgate distributions in those counties but are unable to do so in February.

Anyone interested in helping out at any tailgate should phone Tiffany Jones or Joe Fox at Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. You can reach us at (765) 287-8698.

(Lois Rockhill is executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. She can be reached at lrockhill@curehunger.org.)

Public Invited to Learn How to Address Sensitive Topics with Aging Parents

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:43:30 -0800

New Study Shows it’s Time to Get Seniors and Their Families Talking

ANDERSON, IN - Baby boomers can learn how to talk with their aging parents about sensitive and awkward topics like driving, finances, independence and romance as part of a national education campaign called “The 40-70 Rule.”

The public is invited to a free community forum at the Anderson Library, Miami Room, Tuesday, February 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Senior care expert Joe Wrin, with Home Instead Senior Care in Anderson will discuss how to overcome communication hurdles and share results of a first-of-its-kind study that shows when a child reaches 40 or a parent reaches 70, it’s time to start talking. Panel discussion includes local healthcare professionals, social workers and case managers, long-term care and estate planning experts as well as a representative from the Social Security Administration. Refreshments will be served.

Home Instead Senior Care provides in-home, non-medical care and companionship to seniors in Madison and Delaware counties.

For a free guide of conversation starters for sensitive senior-care subjects, contact the local Home Instead Senior Care office at 765-643-5200 or joe.wrin@homeinstead.com. Visit www.4070talk.com for additional information.

Source: Press Release

Second Harvest Column: Dream Ball Information

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:13:09 -0800

By Lois Rockhill

A black, curly-haired puppy will be featured at the Dream Ball the evening of Feb. 2. The little boy is a miniature golden doodle. He will grow up to weigh about 26 pounds and won’t shed much if at all, making him a great addition to a family of allergy prone humans.

His heritage is golden retriever and miniature poodle. Being a golden doodle brings together the best of both breeds with fewer health concerns according to the Web site. He is being offered at auction by Doodle Darlings by Glory Lane in Pendleton to raise money so human little boys and girls will have enough to eat.

You can see a cute picture at http://www.doodledarlings.com. If that furry little face calls you to the Dream Ball, phone Tiffany Jones at (765) 287-8698 Ext. 100 to make your reservation. If your puppy quota has already been met, you might be interested in some of the other ways to end hunger and feed hope for people in need in east central Indiana.

The live auction with our wonderful showman Jeff Boone will offer a couple of packages including hotel stays, carriage rides and other amenities. Father Bob Williams, pastor at St. Mary’s church in Anderson and a renowned regional chef, is offering a Dinner at the Rectory with food, spirits and entertainment. Tom and Bobbette Snyder are providing a weekend at Lake Tippecanoe and Fadely’s The Jeweler has donated an exquisite necklace.

Over at the silent auction tables, patrons will bid for services, gift certificates and lovely items donated from throughout the regional community. I picked up a man’s stainless bracelet from Standt’s Fine Jewelry, ready perhaps to be engraved for your Valentine.

The Snyders will emcee the evening, sharing food bank facts and encouraging all to participate. There will be plenty of time to enjoy food and friends and to dance to the music of the Endless Summer Band. You will love how Kathy Flemming from Seasons of the Heart highlights the beautiful ballroom with awesome decorations.

We are delighted to have Tom and Bobbette Snyder as our honorary chairs. They are both longtime friends of Second Harvest and of the community. Tom is the new president of Ivy Tech Community College and Bobbette is the executive director of the Leadership Academy of Madison County.

By the end of the evening Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana hopes to raise $30,000. Corporate sponsors are covering expenses allowing all money raised through the auction and reservations to be used for hunger relief.

Saint John’s Health System is the featured sponsor this year. Associate sponsors include Prairie Farms Dairy, Old National Bank, DelTec Information Solutions, Community Hospital Anderson and First Merchants Bank of Central Indiana. Don’t be surprised if you see a couple more added by event day as some approvals are still moving through the corporate channels! Contributing sponsors are Friends of Second Harvest, Larry and Louann Contos, and W.R. Duncan & Son Inc.

Second Harvest Food Bank exists so that the most vulnerable people in this eight-county region will be free from hunger. We do this through advocacy and by soliciting, storing and distributing food designated for families struggling to make ends meet.

Our operational budget is $700,000. This does not include the value of the product we handle. The money allows us to secure and distribute three to four million pounds of donated food a year. Funds come from individuals, businesses, foundations, United Way, United Fund and other grants, as well as support from the pantries and meal programs we supply.

The Dream Ball is a special event and the biggest one we do. Most people attending give to Second Harvest at other times during the year or belong to organizations that do. The event offers the opportunity for friends of the food bank to come together for a wonderful evening, to raise money collectively and to have fun while doing so.

If a fancy, schmancy dance with a got-to-love-it auction sounds good to you, we hope you call to reserve your place at a table. You will join a crowd of nice people and every dollar you spend will provide five pounds of food for a community neighbor in need.

We hope to see you at 6 p.m. Saturday night, Feb. 2, at the historic Paramount Centre Ballroom in downtown Anderson ... ruff, ruff, ruff … is that a golden doodle pup I hear? Is he calling for his new family? Does it sound like the doggie version of your name? Well then, be sure to call Tiffany today!

Lois Rockhill is executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. She can be reached at lrockhill@curehunger.org

Editorial: Helping Turn the Animal Shelter Around with AFP Operation Adoption

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:04:29 -0800

By K. Paul Mallasch

It's come to light that there have been problems at the Anderson Animal Shelter in the past. Instead of dwelling on the past (which we can't change), I say we as a community try to help turn things around.

Now, I'm sure the Mayor has surrounded himself with people much smarter than myself when it comes to Animal Control. I've listened to the State of the City a few times now and one thing that stuck out is that they have too many animals for the facility.

Instead of spending money the city doesn't have building a bigger facility, the best thing to do, in my humble opinion, is to help the city with animal adoption and spread the problem amongst the city.

I don't have a lot of time to devote to the issue, so I turn to the community here at Anderson Free Press to ask how we, as a group, can go about getting some of these animals adopted. Highlight a photo on the homepage? Offer AFP points for valid adoptions?

I'm willing to help however I can, but as a group we can accomplish more.

Perhaps someday in the future, they'll turn one of the Accomplishment Arch lights on for our group effort.

For now, though, what's the best way we can help get the word out about the need for animal adoption?

Thanks.

Petitions Requesting Reorganization of Muncie and Delaware County Government

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:54:13 -0800

By Carol Bouslog

Tired of "business as usual" within Muncie City and Delaware County government? Ready for a change?

Here are some locations where you may sign petitions requesting reorganization of government. The petitions call for the creation of committees under IC 36-1.5 to study the overall structure and operation of our existing government and devise a plan (or plans) to reorganize, possibly consolidate and modernize our government--township, county, and city-wide.

By the way, your Delaware County Commissioners have already signed.

You must be registered to vote in Delaware County.

Here are some of the locations where you may sign petitions requesting reorganization of government:

Hiatt Printing

1716 N. Wheeling Ave.

Muncie, IN 47303
Hiatt Printing

506 N. McKinley Ave.

Muncie, IN 47303

(OPEN 24 Hours!!)
Michaels' Shoe Repair

1706 N. Wheeling Ave.

Muncie, IN 47303
F.C.Tucker Realty

3417 W. Bethel Ave., Ste E

Muncie, IN 47304
Alexander & Co. Real Estate

1600 W. Riggin Rd.

Muncie, IN 47303
Army-Navy Surplus

1810 E. Jackson St.

Muncie, IN 47305
BIC Products/Dunn EZ

5900 W. Kilgore Ave.

Muncie, IN 47304
Ron Jones Auto Sales

2900 S. Madison Ave.

Muncie, IN 47302

(And watch for volunteer petitioners around town--at your house of worship, restaurants, civic functions, and in retail stores.)

"So keep fightin' for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don't you forget to have fun doin' it. Lord, let your laughter ring forth. Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce. And when you get through kickin' ass and celebratin' the sheer joy of a good fight, be sure to tell those who come after how much fun it was." - Molly Ivins, 1944-2007

Community Groups

Second Harvest: Fruit of the Spirit

Second Harvest Column: Columbus Flood Relief

Operation Weatherization at Madison County United Way

1st Annual Golf Classic Raises $24,236 for Madison County United Way

Second Harvest Column

Second Harvest Column

Editorial: Alex Halasz and Jay Flanagan Raise the Rent

Community Leaders Provide Answers to Youth

Second Harvest: Private vs. Public

Gateway Announces Child Care and Summer Programming

Second Harvest: Homeward Bound

March 28 Airport Relocation Update

Second Harvest Column: Hillary Clinton at the Wigwam

Consignment Event Helps Local Families and Local Charities

Easter Egg Hunt Scheduled for Anderson Children

We Can Care, the Madison County Food Drive

Other businesses collecting are:

Collection boxes and jugs for coins are available by phoning Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana 287-8698.

Second Harvest Column: Helpful Volunteers

Madison County recieves $90,674 in FEMA-EFSP Funds

Second Harvest Column: The Farm Bill

Second Harvest Column: Network of Human Kindness

Second Harvest Column: Where We Are

Public Invited to Learn How to Address Sensitive Topics with Aging Parents

Second Harvest Column: Dream Ball Information

Editorial: Helping Turn the Animal Shelter Around with AFP Operation Adoption

Petitions Requesting Reorganization of Muncie and Delaware County Government

Hiatt Printing

Hiatt Printing

Michaels' Shoe Repair

F.C.Tucker Realty

Alexander & Co. Real Estate

Army-Navy Surplus

BIC Products/Dunn EZ

Ron Jones Auto Sales