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YOUR CALENDARS |
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June
7th is the National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Day in the
US.
The Cooperative Feeding Program is encouraging churches,
temples, congregations, youth groups, families and individuals
to organize an event to help bring these important social issues
onto the public agenda.
We can help you with background information about the hunger issues,
provide you with a "how to" guide to organizing the event and,
when possible, offer a speaker at your event. As part of the National
Hunger Awareness Day you could:
- organize
a food drive or a hunger drive
- present
a sermon and prayer service on the issue of hunger
- organize
a future "Empty Bowl Dinner" (see below)
- organize
a sponsored walk or other event to raise funds to fight hunger
Please plan
on involving your neighborhood, your community, the local press
and others in this important day. If you need information or help,
please contact Bruce at (954) 792-2328 or bruce@FeedingBroward.org
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| BIG
"THANK YOUS" |
Volunteer
Appreciation Lunch Much Appreciated!
More than twenty faithful Cooperative Feeding Program volunteers
gathered for a celebration of their service on March 9th at the
Ann Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood, FL. Despite the driving rain
and cold, there was a warm spirit of gratitude as Marti Forman,
The CFP's CEO and two Board members graciously thanked the volunteers
for their service to others through The CFP.
"There is such a need and people who receive the help of The Community
Feeding Program appreciate so much what is given to them. It's really
been rewarding to me", explained Joan Schoeff Spolzino, who volunteers
each Monday with friends from the Plantation Community Church. "After
my husband died in November, so many of the clients at the Community
Kitchen where he also volunteered came and hugged me and offered
to do whatever they could. At his funeral I recognized all the names
of the mourners except one and it turned out to be one of the homeless
men whom my husband had helped at The CFP".
The CFP has more than 200 active volunteers. "They help us in the
Community Kitchen preparing and serving meals, they do food drives
and they help us at events", a grateful Forman explained. "The Cooperative
Feeding Program could not serve more than 800,000 meals each year
without the help of our amazing volunteers".
After hearing from the volunteers themselves, it seems to be a win-win
situation. "We are very happy - we like it", commented Bill and
Joan Button, who have been volunteers at The CFP for three years.
"People are so appreciative. It makes us feel good to know we have
done good work".
Another Important
Visitor
Elizabeth Massey, Program Administrator of District Ten for the
Florida Department of Children and Families paid a welcomed visit
to The Cooperative Feeding Program on March 2nd. The purpose of
the visit was to better understand the difficulties that families
with children have in accessing some of the State sponsored services,
especially food stamps. Both agencies are searching for ways to
streamline access to services by those in need. Often it is agencies
such as The CFP who fill in with emergency food during the often
lengthy processing time of food stamps paperwork by the State.
Hairstylists
for Humanity - a cut above the rest…
There
are many challenges to overcome when trying to get homeless people
off the street. One of the largest is a low self esteem. The Cooperative
Feeding Program, with support from the Sunbeam Corporation and "Rebuilding
Together", has teamed up with Hairstylists for Humanity in providing
haircuts to the homeless population we serve. Whilst some would
minimize the effect of a haircut in reducing the homeless population,
you only have to see the long line of customers waiting every Tuesday
morning to understand the importance of self esteem.
These before and after photos show the complete difference of attitude
that radiates from the client's face - from a scruffy, depressed
appearance to a smiling, clean cut hope-filled face! When asked
how he felt after the haircut, beard trim and hot oil scalp treatment,
Roger said, "I feel great! Now I may even be able to get a job".
Marti Forman's
Birthday!
Marti
Forman, the energetic CEO of The Cooperative Feeding Program, turned
21 again on March 14th. Marti, who has led the dynamic organization
for the past 10 years, received a cake and a chorus of "happy birthday"
from staff and volunteers. In lieu of presents, please send your
support to The Cooperative Feeding Program.
Eleven More Culinary Arts Graduates
From homelessness and desperation, through training and
life skills courses, to graduation as line chefs is the success
story of ten men and one woman this week at The Cooperative Feeding
Program. In a fine example of community collaboration, The Cooperative
Feeding Program, Love Thy Neighbor, Broward Community College and
the McFatter Technical Center team together to train homeless men
and women to become successful chefs.
Developed and spearheaded by Arnold Abbott, 80, this nine-week accredited
course teaches food preparation for auxiliary cooks and line chefs.
The formerly homeless students who were selected for the course
have the option to continue their training at the McFatter Technical
Center. Also included in this unique course are life skills classes,
helping these formerly marginalized men and women to have a new
chance at life with a job. One hundred and four men and women have
graduated from the Culinary Arts Course in its 18 months of operation.
The cost per student for the 9 week course is $ 1,000, including
uniform and all materials. The cost to society of not providing
such training is far higher…
If you would like to sponsor a student, please contact Bruce@FeedingBroward.org
Or call (954) 792-2328.
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| SPECIAL
OFFERS |
Feinstein
Foundation Offers Matching Funds
From a $1,000,000 fund, The Feinstein Foundation of Rhode Island
is once again offering up to $50,000 in matching funds to food assistance
agencies, like CFP, for any food and cash donations received during
the month of April. Depending on how much support for food programs
is raised nationally, the foundation distributes the matching funds
in a pro-rated fashion. Each can of food is valued at one dollar.
So, during April, PLEASE plan to hold a food drive in your condo
or neighborhood, in your office, church or synagogue. This is a
wonderful event for youth groups too! Just one individual can do
so much. Collectively, we can then translate all your individual
kindness and donations into cash that will feed even more people!
If you need help with ideas or "how to" conduct a successful food
drive or fundraiser,
please call Marlene at (954) 792-2328 and we’ll gladly share our
experiences with you.
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International
House of Coffee
 The
CFP has entered into a partnership with International House of Coffee.
Every time you make an on-line purchase at www.internationalhouseofcoffee.com
and enter code number FLA1001, a portion of your purchase ($3) goes
directly to The CFP.
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