February
2006
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LOVE WILL RESOLVE THE VIOLENCE
This
past month has seen some abhorrent acts of violence against the homeless population
of our county which have been witnessed around the world thanks to 60 seconds
of fuzzy video. But during that same period, every single day of the month, there
have also been many unreported intense acts of love towards the homeless.
Each
morning, some 10 or 15 volunteers arrive to The Cooperative Feeding Program and
serve a delicious hot breakfast for between 250 and 400 homeless souls. They are
served both food and respect, often by teenagers the same age as the now infamous
aggressors. The homeless are showered here with both love and acceptance. But
that does not often make the news.
The sad truth is that most evil is done
by people who never make up their minds to be good or evil. But here at The Cooperative
Feeding Program we have all made the commitment to love those who have fallen
on difficult times. We understand that but for the grace of God, there go I. There
is something so special about this place; everyday people merely helping other
people eat. It's just another name for love.
A
GIFT CARD OF LOVE THIS VALENTINE'S DAY
Not
sure how to say "I love you" to that special friend on Valentines Day? Show them
true love with a donation to feed the hungry in their honor! Visit www.FeedingBroward.org/donate
and make a gift of love in honor of a special friend or family member. Enter their
name and email or regular address along with a personalized message and The Cooperative
Feeding Program will send them a special card acknowledging your gift of love.
Flowers wilt and chocolates fatten, but a gift of caring will be forever remembered.
Hurry!
 VOLUNTEER
APPRECIATION CELEBRATION
On Saturday, February 25th, 2006 The Cooperative
Feeding Program would like to invite all our special present and past volunteers
to our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Lunch. The event, generously underwritten
by the Broward County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, will run from
12 noon to 3pm in Pavilion No. 9 at the Topeekeegee Yugnee (TY) Park. Lunch will
be served and there will be fun activities and prizes. This is our way of saying
a special thank you to our volunteers, without whom we could not function.
Please
RSVP by February 10th - or sooner if possible - to Malka@FeedingBroward.org
or call (954) 792-2328. Seating is limited. Join The Cooperative Feeding Program's
cadre of volunteers! Contact Laura@FeedingBroward.org
NEIGHBORS
4 NEIGHBORS HELP HURRICANE VICTIMS
The
CBS Channel 4 organization, Neighbors 4 Neighbors, made a generous $ 10,000 grant
last month to The Cooperative Feeding Program for our work with hurricane Katrina
victims. "The grant is intended for long-term recovery projects that will assist
families rebuild their lives". Thank you to all the CBS/UPN33 viewers who took
the time to care.
 A
SPECIAL FRIEND PASSES
A longtime Cooperative Feeding Program volunteer
and former Board Member, John Paul Dinkel, of Plantation died on January 19, 2006.
John
came to this area in 1976, and worked at Port Everglades with the Shell Oil Company.
He retired as plant manager after 40 years of service. He was a member of Our
Savior Lutheran Church and was a tremendous support to The Cooperative Feeding
Program. An avid fisherman, he was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather,
great-grandfather and brother.
In his memory the family suggests donations
to the Cooperative Feeding Program or Our Savior Lutheran Church.
PLEASE
HELP US OUT:
Have you seen the homeless and felt a sense of despair
about not knowing what to do to help them? Here is how you can make sure your
hard earned support gets directly to the stomach of those in need: Your $ 20 donation
will provide a much-needed box of emergency food for a family in crisis; $ 50
will help us serve 25 hot meals to homeless souls. $ 1,000 will buy us a van load
of food for emergencies. Turn your empathy into action. Click
here to HELP. Please…
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Big
Thank Yous
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THANKS
A TON! MEMORIAL HOSPITAL MIRAMAR FOOD DRIVE
Memorial Healthcare System's
newest gem, Memorial Hospital Miramar, took to helping those in need this past
holiday season. Caring, one of MHM standards of behavior, was demonstrated through
the "Taking Care of those in Need" canned food drive to benefit The Cooperative
Feeding Program. The 600 hospital employees collected 1,232 pounds of food. "Our
hospital may be small but we have big hearts," said Julie Diaz, Director of Food
Service. "We look forward to exceeding that goal next year".
For information
on how YOU can arrange for a food drive, please visit http://www.feedingbroward.org/how_can_i_help.php
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