SPECIAL INGREDIENTS Fall 2016
Southern Cherokee Chief Steve Matthews and his wife, Darla, help run a Mobile Pantry in Phelps County. Supporting a Proud Population
Members of Southern Cherokee get food to fellow Tribe members. Ancestors of the Southern Tribe in Phelps County are proud Many have warmed up to the idea Cherokee were among the first of their culture and history. They of accepting food at a Mobile Federally Recognized Band of the describe their ancestors as Pantry, where Matthews and other Cherokee Nation and the group courageous, honorable and loyal— Southern Cherokee that ultimately followed traits they aspire to, as well. leaders volunteer. ‘A million times, Major Ridge to thank you to those Oklahoma prior to the They are also hungry. “Tribe members who donate and the Trail of Tears. wouldn’t go generosity of those The population of about 500 otherwise,” Matthews who help with this.’ The Tribe later sought Southern Cherokee living in and said. “When people refuge in Southern around Phelps County is so they know are running Missouri. The state was impoverished that social service it, they are more comfortable.” not welcoming, forcing many to agencies in the area reached out live in isolation. The result has to The Food Bank seeking The pantry is now serving nearly been limited access to education, assistance. The problem? Many 100 families, about a quarter of nutrition-related health issues and members were reluctant to which are members of the Tribe. generational poverty. accept help from outsiders. “This really helps,” said Travis, “We relied on hunting and fishing, That is where tribal leaders have a client and volunteer. “A million and to a great extent, many of us stepped in. Chief Steve Matthews times, thank you to those who still do,” Matthews said. “But the and his wife, Darla, have worked donate and the generosity of those Mobile Pantry helps out a lot. closely with The Food Bank to who help with this.” Everybody loves it.” A Note from Lindsay Board of I am so honored and humbled to lead this wonderful organization into a new era of bringing hope as The Food Bank enters into its 35th year. What began Directors as a group of residents sharing food with neighbors in need has become a lifeline for many populations, from the working poor to the 7,500 children we President Todd Weyler feed weekly to seniors to our Southern Cherokee friends. By providing food to Vice Pres. Laura Erdel 104,000 individuals monthly, you are truly helping us make a difference. Secretary Ann Littlefield Treasurer Judy Starr It is, indeed, a perfect time to announce that we have Past Pres. Mariel Liggett become the official charity of the University of Missouri Wilson Beckett Athletics Department. After partnering with Missouri Tina Dalrymple Tigers football for more than two decades through the Russell Freeman Score Against Hunger campaign, this is an honor for Heather Hargrove which we are extremely grateful. Additionally, we are so Shirley Johnson grateful for Columbia Orthopaedic Group for joining us as the presenting sponsor of this year’s campaign. Michael Kateman Claudia Kehoe Sharing food brings hope for a better tomorrow. Jeff George Kennedy Rogers certainly understands that, as he has been able to transition from client Dan Knight to donor. He is one of many we have served over the years who has Scott Maledy overcome the odds and ultimately give back. David Nivens Ken Petterson I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season. Thank you for all Joe Priesmeyer you do to make our mission possible. Stefanie Rome Amy Schneider Steve Sowers Doreen Trecha Lindsay Young Lopez Tim Vicente Executive Director Mary Winter
A Brief History of The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri
A group of What is The Food The Food Mobile Columbia now the Bank Bank Pantry residents begins Central Pantry becomes relocates program distributing food begins salvaging Feeding to 2101 begins food for those in America Vandiver need member 1981 1983 1986 2003 2004
2005 2009 2010 2015 2016
Buddy Pack Central Pantry Name Emphasis New VIP program moves to changed to placed Veteran begins as pilot Big Bear The Food on fresh Pack at four schools Blvd. Bank for produce program Central & distribution piloted Northeast MO Food shared, hope realized Jeff Rogers vividly recalls the canned food he received from The Food Bank’s Central Pantry when the organization was just getting off the ground in the 1980s.
And Rogers—now a designer and manager at the City Channel in Columbia—is still thankful.
“When you’re hungry and you get some food, you’re so grateful you don’t forget about it,” he says.
In the 1980s, Rogers moved to Columbia from the St. Louis area to attend college. He grew up in a middle class environment and did not experience hunger as a child. Jeff Rogers takes a break at City Hall in Columbia, where he has worked for 15 years. Rogers continues to be grateful for The Food Bank. When he dropped out of school, though, Rogers found himself at a pantry, but you need the food.” him through, brought hope for the working in food service making future and now he is contributing less than $5 an hour. Not wanting Rogers ultimately returned to to his community.” to burden his family, he tried to college and completed a support himself but found it bachelor’s degree. For the past 15 He also contributes to The Food impossible to make ends meet. years, he has worked for the City Bank. When asked to make a of Columbia and today, he and his payroll deduction for charity at Hunger, he says, is just one wife are raising a daughter. work, Rogers designates his gift to symptom of the complex nature helping others facing hunger. of poverty. “Hunger is not a bullet “Jeff is truly the face of hope point,” he says. “There is a whole realized,” says Lindsay Young “Giving to The Food Bank, you mindset around it. You feel like Lopez, executive director of The know where your dollars are you’re stuck. You don’t necessarily Food Bank. “Food that was shared going,” he says. “They’re going feel great about yourself for being with him three decades ago got where you expect them to go.”
Commerce Bank employees were recognized as the “Volunteers of the Month” in August. The bank regularly contributes both in the Volunteer Room and through generous financial support. The Buddy Pack program exists to ensure that children relying on subsidized meals at school have food at home during the weekends. The Food Bank heads the program but would not be able to do so without the support of thousands of community partners. As we celebrate 35 years of bringing hope, we recognize that we have not done it alone.
The Fight Against Childhood Hunger
Every week during the school year, volunteers from others. Local 4-H groups help when needed, and various organizations meet at Central Christian William Woods University and Westminster College Church in Fulton to assemble Buddy Packs for local students also participate. school children. “I think they’ve caught the vision,” Nigus said. “They The program began in Callaway County with a see that it is something that is making a difference. It handful of volunteers, but it has not taken much for breaks people’s hearts when they know there are kids Pastor Bill Nigus to grow the operation. A school bus going hungry. They see this is a program that is driver on the side, he simply has to tell someone he is specifically for children who are innocent in the trying to recruit about the time a little girl showed him process of getting food in their bellies.” her Buddy Pack and proudly declared: “I get to eat this weekend.” Similar scenes play out across The Food Bank’s 32-county service area with volunteers coming In Fulton, members of the church rotate with other together to help distribute Buddy Packs to children groups to make sure Buddy Packs get built every who might not otherwise have food to eat on week. Employees from XVIII Wheelers Truck Washes weekends. take one week of the month; Callaway County Special Services and Fulton High School take the “We would not be able to provide Buddy Packs without the support of our communities,” said Stacey Brown, children’s program coordinator for The Food Bank. “Donors, volunteers, school officials—all of these individuals play key roles in making sure this program works. We are so grateful for our friends and partners.”
Buddy Packs are bags of nutritious, kid-friendly food given to children who rely on free or reduced-price Volunteers assemble Buddy Packs in Kirksville. Inset: Jefferson lunches during the school year. City volunteers, including Ann Littlefield, left, take a break. The children’s identities are not revealed, however they are asked want to make a difference in the to fill out short questionnaires. And lives of our community children,” some recipients write “Thank You” she says. “I get more back from letters on their own. packing than I ever give.”
This past school year, The Food Littlefield says she is grateful for Bank heard from one child in those who make the program Iberia who reported that both possible. “As a board member, I parents lost their jobs and the want every person who helps us Hunger can also be detrimental Buddy Pack helps, adding “we don’t feed people to know that we could to a child who is trying to learn. eat much.” Another child knew the never do what we do without each Kathy Oelschlager, a counselor at family “barely gets food stamps” of them,” she said. Osage Beach Elementary, knows and noted that grocery options were first-hand the effects of growling limited. That child especially That includes Rich McKinney, a tummies on a school day. “There enjoyed cereal and milk. pianist from would be times when kids would Kirksville who say they were hungry,” says “The stories ‘They see this is a donates to the Oelschlager, a former classroom teacher. “We would take a break about children program that is program. This and their Buddy summer, he and get a snack out. When they Packs are specifically for hosted a benefit are hungry, they can’t focus. Even heartbreaking,” concert for the if they are good kids, they have a said Ann children who are program, as well, rough time concentrating.” Littlefield, a innocent in the that raised funds member of The for Buddy Packs. Nigus, the pastor from Fulton, Food Bank’s process of getting says support for the Buddy Pack Board of “More important- program has united communities Directors who food in their bellies.’ ly, perhaps, is across Callaway County. volunteers on that it heightened behalf of Cole County. awareness about hunger,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything quite “Children are not responsible for like this before; communities “I feel better when we finish packing feeding themselves.” rallied behind a project so knowing those kids won’t be hungry whole-heartedly,” he says. “The that weekend.” Sometimes, he said, those who Buddy Pack program has pulled are responsible are not able to our school districts together in In Jefferson City, volunteers split make it work. a way no one ever anticipated. up into teams to pack about 1,200 People get involved and stay Buddy Packs every week. “So it is up to us to help feed chil- involved because they know it is dren,” McKinney said. “I don’t like truly helping children who are not “I think most people who give their to see anyone hungry, but a child responsible for the predicament time to pack do it because they going hungry is a very sad thing.” they are in.” Celebrating 35 Years Area leaders help celebrate anniversary The Food Bank is celebrating a milestone this month as we enter our 35th year.
Founded Sept. 10, 1981, The Food Bank has a rich history of implementing creative and effective strategies to feed the hungry.
“I am so honored to be Group partners at The Food Bank as we celebrate this milestone” said Lindsay Young with The Food Lopez, who became executive director in Bank to Score 2014. “We are very much looking forward as we Columbia Orthopaedic Group has enter a new era focused become the presenting sponsor of the on distributing nutritious 2016 Missouri Tigers Score Against meals to working families, Hunger campaign, which will be held senior citizens, Veterans, throughout The Food Bank for Central children and other & Northeast Missouri’s entire 32-county populations.” service area for the first time ever.
September is also Score is The Food Bank’s largest Barry Odom, Head Coach Hunger Action Month. To fundraising effort. It challenges Missouri Tigers Football celebrate both, The Food University of Missouri football fans to Bank recruited county get in on the action by pledging a dollar and city officials, community leaders, media partners and amount per point scored or by directing other area celebrities to tell us what they cannot do on an empty an outright gift to the Tigers’ campaign. stomach and also what they can do to help solve hunger. Missouri Tigers Score Against Hunger See more photos and stories at sharefoodbringhope.org. began in 1995. This year, Head Coach Barry Odom has decided to carry on the tradition.
Donations from Score go directly into the acquisition and distribution of food to those in need.
“Columbia Orthopaedic Group has been a tremendous partner to us over the years,” Lopez said. “Their generous sponsorship of our Score Against Hunger campaign is just another way they continue to make a difference in the lives of Missourians. We are so thankful for their support, and we hope the group’s example inspires others to join us in the ongoing fight against Marissa Hollowed, Joey Parker, Anchors, KMIZ 17 News hunger in our communities.” Making the holidays bright
Roasted turkey with sweet potatoes, green beans, hot rolls and corn, complete with a slice of pumpkin pie. Yes, the holidays are Participate in upon us and for many, that means bountiful family meals. For those with limited resources, 3. a Food Drive however, the holidays can be extra stressful. We have many food drives during Whether you are able to purchase and donate the holidays. In Columbia, look for our food for a family in need or make a donation, annual Partnership Against Hunger in your support makes a difference. November, a 12- Here are five ways to give this season. hour drive held in conjunction with Cumulus Radio, Share a Meal Walmart, Schnucks and KOMU. Then, in Not sure what to do with all of those December, stop by 1. holiday leftovers? Have an extra turkey One For One Holiday Food Drive at the leg to spare? Wrap up what is left behind corner of Broadway and Providence where and share it with a neighbor, senior we will be collecting donations of $1 or one acquaintance or someone who might food item per family member along with not have family around during the Zimmer Radio, The Networks of Mid- holiday season. Missouri and Inside Columbia Magazine. Make an Extra 4. Store Purchase Cannot make it to a food drive? That is OK! If you live in Columbia, any of our major grocery stores have The Food Bank bins at the front of the store. Simply purchase an extra box or can and drop it in the bin on your way out.
Make a New Let Us Do The Family Tradition 5. Shopping If you and your family have a winter break, considering volunteering at The Food Bank! Volunteering is a fun way to We are what you might call bond with loved ones in a unique bargain hunters. Because of 2. setting while also playing a critical role our affiliation with Feeding in our mission. Come during the week, America, we are able to or mark your calendar and plan to take purchase high-quality food the young ones to Kids Helping Kids at minimal costs. In fact, for Day on Saturday, Dec. 10. The event every $10 donated, we are includes a tour of The Food Bank and a able to purchase $210 worth visit from Buddy the Backpack. of groceries!
Visit ShareFoodBringHope.org to register to volunteer or make an online gift. Societies recognize special friends The Food Bank is launching a society program to Bank is able to serve, on average, 104,000 people distinguish donors who have given in special ways. each month.
“So many people are involved in making this mission “Inaugural members of this prestigious society have possible, from those who buy and donate extra shaped The Food Bank and will continue to play a groceries to those who attend our events,” Lindsay role in the future of this organization,” Lopez said. Young Lopez, executive director, said. “We are grateful for every gift; we truly could not do it without The Annual Club recognizes those who have made your help. These giving societies provide The Food gifts of $1,000 or more within a fiscal year and will be Bank with the opportunity to recognize The Food included in The Food Bank’s annual Honor Roll. Bank friends who have gone above and beyond.” Additionally, The Food Bank is creating the Heirloom The Perennial Society Society for those who make planned gifts. Planned will recognize those who giving is a creative way to leave a lasting impact on erennial have made gifts totaling future generations. P $10,000 or more over time. These individuals “We are so appreciative of all of our donors, ociety have truly made The volunteers and supporters,” Lopez said. “While we Food Bank a part of will be acknowledging members of each of these S their lives while making societies, we certainly invite anyone to contact us to GROWING THE FIELDS OF HOPE it possible for our learn more about ways in which you can partner with operation to thrive and grow. Because of the The Food Bank, including ways in which you may join generosity of Perennial Society members, The Food a club or society.”
SIGN ME UP I want to help shape the future of The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri I WANT TO: Help provide food to those in need through a gift. First, Last Name $50 $100 $250 Other Address
Designate my gift to the Buddy Pack program. City, State, Zip
Please specify county. Email Phone Make my gift part of Score Against Hunger I want to learn more about planned giving. Have a development officer contact me. Please specify county. The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri 2101 Vandiver Drive, Columbia, MO 65202 (573) 474-1020 ShareFoodBringHope.org