Friday, September 25, 2009

Hunger Action Month and more

As Hunger Action Month comes to a close and fall starts ramping up, I can't help but get excited about all that is going on at the South Plains Food Bank. What used to be a one day "Hunger Awareness Day" was turned into a month of action! It's one thing to be aware of hunger in your community and the ripple effects it has, not only the individuals who don't have enough food, but on the community as a whole. It is another to actually take action to combat hunger.

I don't usually like to use words that are so agressive in nature, like combat, but I think it's appropriate in this context. We do have to fight to ensure that people in our communties, across our nation and around the world don't go hungry. Those of us who are fortunate to not know "real" hunger, can't imagine what is like. Sure, we've felt hungry but we've rarely, if ever, felt hungry and at the same time not be able to know when our next meal is going to be or where is coming from. I have found myself staring into my pantry, thinking that I have nothing to eat. Really? I see soup, popcorn, peanut butter, bread ... it may not be what I was looking for and I may have to actually make something but I have food. My pantry is not empty. There are people and families in our community whose pantries are actully empty. This month we have tried to communicate, educate and motivate the people of West Texas.

We're not finished yet! We have a "celebrity day" at the SPFB next week, where local figure heads have been invited out to see what we do at the food bank and to volunteer with us for an afternoon. It should be a fun day! Plus, October is full of OctoberFAST activities and the annual U Can Share Food Drive is coming quickly -- it's going to be a great fall at the South Plains Food Bank!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Community Supported Agriculture at the South Plains Food Bank Farm


The South Plains Food Bank's Carolyn Lanier Youth Farm offers a CSA. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. This is a program where farmers pre-sell all or part of their harvest at the beginning of the year, in order to have funds for seeds, plants, etc. The pre-purchasers are referred to as shareholders of the farm. In the case of the food bank farm, we sell only a portion of our harvest in order to have funds to support our youth project, GRUB (Growing Recruits for Urban Business). GRUB is a life skills and job skills training program for teenagers, and it is based on our 5.5-acre urban farm.


Teens in the GRUB Program volunteer on Saturday mornings during the school year and, if they put in the hours and prove themselves to be good workers, they are eligible to apply to our paid summer program. Selling approximately half of the crop through our CSA program helps the food bank fund a portion of the summer salaries for 10 to 12 deserving teens. This is a win/win situation for all concerned. The food bank farm gets a trained and able-bodied work force during the labor-intensive summer months, the food bank gets the other half of the harvest to distribute to those in need, the shareholders get locally grown, chemical-free produce (and the satisfaction of helping out our GRUB Program), and the youth in the GRUB Program have a summer job and earn their own money.


This week is the final harvest of the summer crop and the end of our 2009 CSA season. I always hate this final week, it reminds me of the last day of summer camp. We tell our shareholders, our friends, goodbye until next year and the farm goes into fall and winter mode. We compost the spent plant matter and put in cover crops or let some areas lie fallow. One shareholder told me she would need to spend some time alone at the farm to grieve the end of the season. I know exactly how she feels.


But, before we know it, a new growing season will be upon us. New growth will emerge, shareholders will return, and more teens will have an opportunity to learn and grow at the South Plains Food Bank's farm. It is all part of the cycle of life on our farm, and it will be another win/win year for everyone.


Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Fall is here!

It's the first day of fall and for many that means cooler weather, sweats, hot chocolate by the fire and big holiday meals with lots of food to go around. It does mean cooler weather for everyone but is where the assured similarities end. While some look forward to the holiday meals with excitement and joy, others look towards it with anxiousness and fear. Why? They might not have enough food for tomorrow much less a the expected large holiday meal. This is just one reason, out of many, that the South Plains Food Bank needs your help - year round!

Lubbock, TX : Beautiful Fall picture in Lubbock, TX

Not only do we need individuals who volunteer their time, their food and their voices but we also need individuals who are generous in donating their finances. Like any non-profit, operations are one of our largest expenses. There are trucks that take food to rural areas that cost money to maintain, spaces to store food that all contribute to the overhead needed to run a food bank.

A great big thank you to all our donors - we simply could not run the day to day operations without your continued support. Interested in donating? Visit our webpage to see the many ways you can donate!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Bake Sale!

As you know it's Hunger Action Month at the South Plains Food Bank. This Friday, the Chef Society is doing their part to raise awareness and take action against hunger! Stop by the main City Bank location in Lubbock (Slide and Marsha Sharp Freeway) and purchase a baked goodie for the weekend ... from fantastic CHEFS!! You know it's going to be tasty!! Plus, the proceeds will be donated to the South Plains Food Bank. Good food and a good cause? Ladies and gentlemen, we have another win-win for West Texans!
See full size image
Let us know what you have been doing for Hunger Action Month! We want to know what the people in our community are doing to take a stand against hunger!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Hunger Action Month: week three

It's the third week of Hunger Action Month! What are you doing to help advocate for the hungry? People all across the South Plains are doing their part -- what a great community to be a part of! Thank to all who have participated.

The past year, the South Plains Food Bank has seen a 25% increase of individuals and families who need assistance (http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/091309/loc_492669845.shtml). We've talked about lending your voice and your time but not yet about food donations. Food donations are essential to the mission of the South Plains Food Bank. If we don't have food to put in our food boxes, we can't had food out. We simply can't give what we don't have. We rely healvily on the generous donations from the community.

Twice a year, the South Plains Food Bank holds large food drives; the Can-Can in the summer months and the U Can Share during the holiday season. While we gather a lot of food and donatiosn during those times, we are moving the food just as quickly. Next time you are at the grocery store, pick up an extra can of vegetables and donate it to the South Plains Food Bank. Remember -- "Give a Little, Feed A Lot"

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Let's Can Her!

I am often surprised by the thoughtfulness and selflessness of people. I have been able to take a front-row seat for some of these actions. Today was one of those days. As you know, this is Hunger Action Month and we have been encouraging everyone in the community to "Give a Little, Feed a Lot". Whether it is by advocating for the hungry or volunteering thier time, we've seen people come together this month with one goal: feeding the hungry with food and hope.  


Here is one example of how people in Lubbock are helping thier neighbors! A local doctor, Dr. Snodgrass, requested that people bring food, to donate to the SPFB, in lieu of a birthday present. They posted flyers and placed boxes in the breakroom of the office to be collected until her birthday on Sept 3rd. The theme was "Let's Can Her" - how fun and how selfless! Birthday's are generally the time of year that we focus on ourselves. After all, we are celebrating our birth. Dr. Snodgrass took this once a year opportunity and looked outside herself. She decided to do somthing that would bless others. What a gift. Thank you Dr. Snodgrass!

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Give A Little Time, Feed A Lot

I always love hearing about the food bank's programs. I know them, I've heard about what they do and who they serve over and over again. Yet, it's a story I don't get tired of hearing. It reminds me of why we do what we do at the South Plains Food Bank. It reminds of why we have months designated as Hunger Action Month. Last week, I talked about how we can advocate for the hungry by lending our voices and simply informing people about the issues caused by hunger and giving them ways to get involved.

This week I'm going to talk about "lending a little time" to feed a lot. Food banks operate, not only on monetary and food donations, but on the time individuals donate as well. We simply could not get the food out to our clients as fast or as efficiently if we did not have a volunteer base. We are always open to more volunteers -- we will put you to work! Volunteering can mean a lot of different things. We have people who give weekly to answer the phones, people who faithfully come to our monthly Saturday Work Days, and people who give their time for certain food drives throughout the year.

We have all been blessed with unique personalities and talents. When we utilize those parts of who we are to help others, it is win-win for everyone. Not only are we helping others but we are giving of ourselves and there is certain satisfaction that comes with getting outside ourselves and doing something for someone else. As I've said before, we were meant to live in community and when we practice that things seem to run just a little bit more smoothly.

Check out our volunteer page on our website and see where you think you might fit! We'd love to see you!

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Hunger Action Month: GIVE A LITTLE, FEED A LOT

As many of you may already know, September has been designated as Hunger Action Month all across the nation. In partnership with Feeding America, food banks all across America are raising awareness and encouraging individuals and organizations to take action against hunger.

The South Plains Food Bank is doing their part as well. "Give a Little, Feed a Lot" - it's that easy. We don't have to change the world but if all do our part of make a difference in our corner of the world, the world just might change after all. Simply by telling someone else about the mission of the South Plains Food Bank helps get the message out. So many people don't realize that hunger is a real issue in their community. It seems like something that affects people in other parts of the country and the world. However, people in West Texas suffer from food insecurity on a daily basis. Make a difference ... become an advoacte for the hungry in your neighborhood!