Thanksgiving Dinner!

In order to help those who are without family, or other means to afford a classic Thanksgiving Dinner, here is a list of LOCAL organizations offering a FREE dinner to those in need.  This is for those who are in need, or know someone who is.  Pass this on.  All of these listed meals are happening on Thanksgiving Day.  

Saranac Community Association is hosting their third annual free Thanksgiving dinner at 1pm to 3pm at the American Legion Hall in Saranac.

Lakewood United Methodist Church is hosting a free Thanksgiving Dinner at noon at the Fellowship Hall.  Deliveries can be arranged.  Call 269-367-4800 for more information.

Shiloh Community Church is offering a Turkey dinner, free.  If you have questions or need a ride, call 616-761-3584. 

Zion United Methodist Church in Ionia on Washington St. is offering a meal from 2-4pm in their Fellowship Hall. 

Thank you, to these organizations, for going above and beyond to help those in need.  This year has been rough for many families.  It is people like you that make a difference in our communities.  

--

Stephanie Sims
AmeriCorps VISTA

Ionia County ISD - 2191 Harwood Rd. Ionia MI 48846

616-527-4900 ext 1222

If you know of additional community meal for Thanksgiving or would like us to post your Christmas meals, please email the info to iccfoodnetwork@gmail.com.

Food Pantries say Thank YOU!

Ten Agencies split the donations received for the County-wide Food Drive and wish to say THANK YOU to Ionia County for the support received in donations and volunteer hours!

Epic - A Community Church

Manna's Market

Portland First Congregational Church

RAVE

Shiloh Food Pantry

West Berlin Wesleyan Food Pantry

Zion Community Food Pantry

Belding Area Food Pantry

Ionia Nazarene Church

I'M Kids Foods

Nourish to Flourish

CFN Meeting Notes

 

Community Food Network Meeting

Date and Time: November 4, 2013

1:30pm to 3:00pm

Location:  H.O. Steele Educational Building

North 66  between 57  & 44  (10260 S Sheridan Rd., Fenwick, MI  48834)

Attending:  Penny Beeman, Amanda Grescowle, Lynda Richter, Pam Hotchkiss

Committees

• Gardens & Pantry Committee:
• New supplies are being purchased for 2014, if your Garden or Pantry has need please let us know ASAP!
• Watch for the Garden Survey to be sent out in February to sign up as 2014 Garden!
• Awareness & Resource Committee:  
• Mini-Drive Blogging- Please continue sending info about your garden, food pantry or Food Drive to iccfoodnetwork@gmail.com to be added to our blogs!
• Future Website Status- We will be working to purchase a new URL and website for 2014.  Please review the current website now and let us know what parts are most important to KEEP for the new website.  http://www.ioniahost.com/garden/
• Educational Committee:   
• Harvest Celebration Recap-  Thanks to all who attended and the hard work put forth by the planning committee.  This event was enjoyed by all who attended!  Pictures can be viewed on our blog at http://uwmivolunteerconnections.blogspot.com/2013/11/make-difference-day-harvest-celebration.html

• Volunteer Recruitment & Projects:  

County-wide Food Drive

• GenerationOn Mini-grant- most funds have been spent on supplies for Mini-Drives, the National Family Volunteer Day ad on WION Radio (see the video on our blog), and refreshments for volunteers on Nov 22nd & 23rd.  Funds also spent to purchase a $20 Walmart Card and Lamplight Grill Certificates for prizes in the Canned Art Contest.
• Mini-Drive Locations-  There are 26+ locations officially registered as Mini-Drives!  Way to go community champions...KEEP IT UP!  View the MAP
• Canned Art-  If you are planning on submitting an entry, please send an FYI Email to us to let us know how many people are in your group so we can have a GREAT prize package for you if you win!
• National Family Volunteer Day- Volunteers can register in Get CONNECTED or by contacting Penny at Iccfoodnetwork@gmail.com

Upcoming Events

County-wide Food Drive   

Mini-Drives may take place October 26th through November 22nd!

November 22nd - Collection Day at the ISD from 8am-6pm

November 23rd - Food Pantry Pick Up Day Volunteers at 8am, Pantries at 9am

The next meeting will be the on January 6th at 1:30 pm at the H.O. Steele Educational Building

There will not be a meeting in December.  We hope everyone has a great holiday season and look forward to seeing you all next year.

CFN Meeting: Nov 4th

Community Food Network Meeting

Date and Time: November 4, 2013 1:30pm to 3:00pm

Location:  H.O. Steele Educational Building

North 66  between 57  & 44  (10260 S Sheridan Rd., Fenwick, MI  48834)

Committees

Gardens & Pantry Committee:

• Purchases for 2014 including hand tools and composting supplies. 
• Possible funds transfer in VGF grant. 

Awareness & Resource Committee:

• Mini-Drive Blogging 
• Future Website Status 

Educational Committee:

• Harvest Celebration Recap 

Volunteer Recruitment & Projects:

• County-wide Food Drive
• GenerationOn Mini-grant 
• Mini-Drive Locations 
• Canned Art 
• National Family Volunteer Day

Download this agenda in Google Docs

See other Community Food Network Volunteer Needs at Get CONNECTED!

Upcoming Events

County-wide Food Drive  Mini-Drives may take place October 26th through November 22nd! November 22nd - Collection Day at the ISD from 8am-6pm November 23rd - Food Pantry Pick Up Day Volunteers at 8am, Pantries at 9am Sign Up for Volunteer Needs on Get CONNECTED!
The next meeting will be the on January 6th at 1:30 pm at the H.O. Steele Educational Building?

Learn about Volunteering to End Hunger!

Dear Supporter, Thankfully, the shutdown is over. But given the political chaos in our nation’s capital over the past several weeks, I know it can be easy to lose sight of what we’re working for. Between the government shutdown, the Farm Bill, and the ongoing budget battles over cuts to vital anti-hunger programs, it is easy to become disillusioned and frustrated with Washington and our elected officials. However, as you know, the fight against hunger isn’t only happening inside the DC beltway. It’s happening every day in every community across the country. I know we’ve been talking a great deal about the impact Congress is having on our mission—and we will continue to do so—but it’s important to remember that meanwhile, our food banks are hard at work helping to feed your neighbors who are struggling. During these challenging times, our food banks need your help more than ever. So, while the government is stuck in neutral, it’s a great time to volunteer at your local food bank to help fight hunger in your community. We will keep fighting for anti-hunger programs here in Washington, but let’s take a moment to remember what we are fighting for—to ensure that nobody goes hungry in America. So, if you’re like most people and tired of feeling frustrated with Congress, please volunteer at your local food bank and make a big difference in your community. Brett Weisel Director of Advocacy Feeding America Meet Jim, Real Stories of SNAP For more than 40 years, Jim worked as a mechanic. When the economy crashed, business stopped. For rural clients like Jim the challenges of lower levels of education and concentration of low-wage industries can be hard to overcome. Jim knew he needed to apply for SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) when after waiting for a customer payment all day - it simply never arrived. Without a cracker in the house he applied for food assistance and is glad he did. He would have had no other way to eat. Meet Jim watch his video and share his story to educate others about how critical SNAP benefits are for hungry Americans. Watch and share Jim's story now» Share this Help Prevent Cuts to Anti-Hunger Programs On November 1, 2013, all SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly know as food stamps) recipients will see a reduction in their benefit levels because of legislation passed by the United States Congress in 2010. Cuts that will equal 1.9 billion meals no longer available to the children, seniors, and disabled that rely on their SNAP benefits to help put food on the table. That is more than half of what the entire Feeding America network will distribute in the entire year! You should also know that Congress is considering adding even larger cuts to SNAP benefit levels and eligibility. Decisions that impact Americans struggling with hunger in your community and across the country are being made right now. Use your voice to help prevent these cuts by telling your members of Congress to protect anti-hunger programs. Tell Congress to protect anti-hunger programs»   76% of SNAP recipient households include a child, elderly person, or disabled person. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, helps over 47 million low-income Americans put food on the table by providing benefits that are timely, targeted, and temporary. Learn how SNAP works and who qualifies for assistance»   Share this We need your help to tell the story of hunger in America and how it’s affecting real people in local communities across the nation. Your story can help change the way people look at hunger and motivate them to join the fight. Please share your story today» Fighting Rural Hunger in the Face of SNAP Cuts - Bob Aiken, Feeding America CEO It may seem like a paradox, but in the land of plenty, more than plenty are in need. In America today, 49 million people struggle with hunger—including 16 million children and 3 million seniors. Your neighbor, coworker or even a close friend may be wondering where they will find their next meal. When cuts are made to federal nutrition programs like SNAP, charities are left to fill the gap. Feeding America does everything it can to make sure no one goes hungry, but charity alone cannot fill the $40 billion hole that could be left if the most recently proposed cuts to SNAP are approved. And the need resulting from SNAP cuts will be particularly hard to fill in rural America. In addition to having disproportionally high rates of hunger and poverty, rural America poses a unique set of challenges in getting food to people in need. Delivery, donation and distribution obstacles abound and the stigma of seeking help is greater. Read more of Bob's article and the challenges our network will face with the pending cuts to federal nutrition programs. Hunger Champion “Living in poverty like conditions at times, it's an issue to me that several of my fellow American citizens are in need of food and nutrition assistance. As a donor, I strive to overcome hunger by donating to Feeding America and in the process end the dilemma of Hunger in America.”   Jorge - Los Angeles, CA HUNGER QUIZ The average monthly SNAP benefit per person provides how much per meal?    Less than $1.50   More than $2.50   Less than $4.50 Local Food Pantries here in Montcalm and Ionia Counties are also looking for volunteers! It is easy to find volunteer needs at United Way Montcalm-Ionia Counties volunteer management website at this direct link to the Community Food Network page. If you don't see something there you can contact a pantry near you.  Use the CFN Google Map to find the closest pantry. View Community Food Network in a larger map Or find additional information at the Community Food Network website!