Christmas Break Initiative
Our Task Force has chosen their first project: End Childhood Hunger over the Christmas break 2012 for local families.
Who:
The Task Force needs volunteers to help with the holiday event on December 22.
- Drive Way Captain – This needs to be a person to direct the traffic into the school. You will need to exude authority!
- Packing Captain – This person will organize the food unloading with the truck driver and direct the loading of the boxes for families with the assortment of canned items. The Second Harvest Food Bank truck will bring the products in bulk for further unpacking and packing into smaller boxes to give to families. (This is usually done at the SHFB warehouse, but they are moving into a new facility and cannot do it this year.) This person will continue to direct the food to be loaded into cars to the two stop locations.
- First Stop Captain – loading items into the cars. The families drive to a station at the school and volunteers load their car. They do not get out of their cars. Then, the captain directs them out of the parking lot to the street. This captain has to watch traffic and ensure volunteers are ready to load.
- Second Stop Captain – same as above, only at the second stop. We will be loading two cars at the same time and it is important to keep the flow going.
- 30 more volunteers – The official time donation form from OCPS will be available for allowing volunteer credit hours. Volunteers need to be able to take at least 2 ½ hours; be able to stand and bend and lift. Be friendly and generous.
What:
Food Giveaway in connection with the Second Harvest Food Bank: packages of food including a box of assorted canned goods and vegetables (usually a 20 lb. bag of potatoes, fruits i.e. a bag of citrus, and a box of baked items.) It is estimated that 500 families will receive enough food for two weeks.
Where:
in the Winegard and Lancaster elementary schools. Families from both schools will be asked to pick up food at Winegard Elementary School: 7055 Winegard Rd., Orlando, Fl 32809-7101
When:
December 22, probably 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; sign up for all day, or a 2 ½ hour shift. (There are 5 other schools scheduled for the food giveaway sponsored by other programs such as the Winter Park Health Foundation and the OCPS Food and Nutrition Services program.)
How:
First Church recently awarded a $6,500 grant from the Toler Ministry Grant Fund to this Task Force. It has been given to the Second Harvest Food Bank to purchase the food, which multiplies the value of the food dollar. The Food Bank estimates that for every $1 donated, $9 worth of food can be purchased.
More information:
The Task Force to End Childhood Hunger is planning more events such as a summer meal program, Food Drives, and more. If you are interested in joining the group or being added to the Task Force’s email list to stay informed, please let Lora Gilbert or Ruth Morrison-Hakeem know.
