Downtown Art Market

In May 2009 Lubbock's Downtown Art Market (DAM) opened and has steadily gained momentum each month. I have to admit I didn't know what the DAM was until I started at the SPFB and learned about the GRUB farm's booth. So what is the DAM?

It is a place for local talent, artists and growers to showcase their homemade or homegrown products! DAM is located in Tornado Alley, right in the heart of downtown Lubbock. There are many great talents in West Texas and this monthly event is a great way to showcase just what West Texans can do and grow!

Not only is the DAM a good place for local artists, it is also a great place for the teenagers working at the GRUB farm to exhibit their hard work. Part of the GRUB progam is designed to teach adolescents life and job skills. The DAM provides a unique opportunity for them to learn business skills they might not otherwise be able to learn. For most of the teens who are a part of GRUB, this program is their only opportunity to gain these valuable skills. It can be life changing for them to be a part of this program. Thank you to Jenifer, the staff at the GRUB farm and the hard-working teens!

Thank You

I know I haven't posted a blog in a few dsys -- this is because I was out at the Can-Can Food Drive, the SPFB's annual summer food drive. There are so many inspiring stories that I almost don't know where to start. I want to share the entire week with everyone.

One of the overarching themes last week was how amazing it was to see the Lubbock community reach out and help re-stock the shelves of the SPFB. Lubbock has always been known as a giving community but to see it first-hand was humbling. It's one thing to see high rates of giving in times of prosperity but in a recession that has no end in sight, that says something about the character of a community. Thank you Lubbock. Thank you for helping us satisfy one of the most basic of human needs, the need for nourishment. Thank you for helping to instill hope in those who need a helping hand. Thank you for proving that it is not all bad news in the world today, that there are people willing to help their neighbors.

Food Drives

Have you ever donated food to a food drive for a food bank? More specifically have you ever donated food to a South Plains Food Bank food drive? I have. I remember when my daughters were in school and they would come home asking to take cans to school for the food bank so they could get out of doing homework or could earn an extra point on a test. I complied without questioning why the food bank needed the food or to whom it was going. I opened my pantry and pulled out the "mistakes" I had purchased at the grocery store. That can of cream-style corn when I meant to pick up whole-kernel. The canned baby shrimp I thought I would use in a salad, but didn't. The extra can of pork-n-beans I didn't use when I made baked beans. I never gave any thought to what cans I pulled out of the pantry to send to school for the food bank.

Now I work for the food bank and I see first hand the need for good nutritious food. The need for high protein, whole grain, nutritious food; food just like I would want to serve to my family. Not the dented cans or the cans missing their labels.

Today David Weaver, the Executive Director of the South Plains Food Bank, related a story to me that made me cry (okay - if you know me, you know this doesn't take much, but this is a very touching story). He was at the food drive site this afternoon when a young, twenty-something, man showed up. The young man asked about the pre-made sacks of groceries available to donate to the food bank for $5. He told David that when he was a child they received food assistance from the food bank and he got tired of the "same old food bank food" and would it be okay if he purchased items of his choosing. He returned a short while later with over $100 worth of food to donate to the food bank. I wish I could have taken a peek into his grocery bags. I bet there wasn't one single can of cream-style corn!

I'm not knocking cream-style corn. But I am in awe of this young man who is "paying it forward." If you would like to donate to the South Plains Food Bank's summer food drive you can donate at the food drive site at the United Supermarket at 82nd Street and Frankford Ave. or you can donate online at www.spfb.org

I wish I could be a fly on the wall when our families-in-need receive the food items donated by our imaginative donor today.

Mascera, Mudflap (KLLL), a tutu and the Can-Can Food Drive

Today as I was running a few errands before work I tuned in to KLLL's morning show. They have kicked off the Annual Can Can Food Drive for us in a huge way! We don't officially get out there until 11am with all the sponsors and volunteers but Jeff, Kelli and Mudflap were already promoting the food drive and getting people in to buy $5 bags of food to help re-stock the SPFB!

I started listening at 8am and their goal was to sell 20, $5 bags in an hour. First, let me explain about the bags of food. Every bag is filled with food, healthy food, that will go into the food boxes the SPFB hands out. United is selling them for $5 (they worth more than that) and the SPFB is able to feed one more family on the South Plains. Mudflap (from KLLL's morning show) was on site to sell those bags! They are at the register of the United on 82nd and Frankford. Okay, back to the goal. With 15 minutes left, they had already sold 39 bags so they increased their goal to 100 bags!! From 20 to 100 -- WOW!! There were some people who simply stopped by and handed their money to Mudflap and he then went and bought the bags. It's that easy!!!

I have to say that I'm glad I wasn't wearing mascera this morning -- ladies, you know what I mean. Any water in the eyes and that stuff just runs like mad down your face. I wasn't expecting to be so moved by the generosity of our fellow Lubbockites, but I was. I couldn't help but think, this community really does care. Maybe I'm an idealist or maybe people just really want to see Mudflap in a tutu (that's right, if our goal for the day is reached, Mudflap will wear a tutu tomorrow). However, I choose to believe that even in this time of economic hardship that is hitting us all, people still want to afford their friends and neighbors the right to eat. I think of the faces of the children that will be fed thanks to this food drive and I can't help but tear up a little.

Our goal for the week is 1000 bags ... so let's keep it going strong Lubbock!

Can Can Food Drive: Tuesday - Friday (THIS WEEK)

Join us at United on 82nd and Frankford for the 8th Annual Can Can Food Drive, the SPFB's summer food drive. The Food Bank truck, along with volunteers from Covenant and the Food Bank will be on-hand daily from 11:00 am until 6:30 pm to accept donations of food and money. We are partnering with The Texas Peanut Producers Board, Keva Juice, and United Supermarkets, KLLL, KLBK, Bodyworks and Latino Lubbock Newsletter to provide food to feed the hungry in West Texas.

As the heat rises on the South Plains, so does the number of clients served by the SPFB. During the summer months there is an increased demand for food boxes because children are at home, not eating breakfast and lunch at school. According to LISD, 65% of the 28,000 students enrolled this past year were eligible for the reduced lunch program - 17,520 children. On average, 500 boxes are distributed to needy families every week through the SPFB. Our warehouse shelves are empty by the end of June as the food donated during previous food drives depletes.

Not only are we going to collect food but we are going to have fun doing it! Keva Juice will provide some relief from heat and Bodyworks will have their climbing wall on-site for those who dare to climb up! Every child that climbs to the top will have a jar of peanut butter donated to the SPFB, in their name, by the The Texas Peanut Producers Board. So come out, have fun, and help those in need! For more information visit our website.

Goal: To fill a truck each day. The food collected through this drive is used in food boxes which are given out daily to families in need.

Freedom from Hunger (and Happy 4th of July!)

The word freedom has many definitions. This weekend we, as Americans, will celebrate our freedom as a country. However, there are millions of individuals across our nations that are not free from food insecurity. They have many freedoms but the freedom from hunger is not they currently know.

As discussed in previous posts, hunger affects the young and old, male and female, every race and ethnicity. Food insecurity can affect anyone and everyone. As citizens of one of the greatest nations on earth we should be able to provide the very basic of needs to our neighbors, food. While providing food may not solve all the problems in an individuals life, it is our sincere desire that it also provides hope. Hope that tomorrow will be the day they get that job that allows them the freedom to go to the grocery store and pay utility bills. Hope that their children will get a nutricious meal that night. Hope that they are not alone.

Please help us give Americans another holiday to celebrate -- Freedom from Hunger

The Greatest Generation

They have been labeled "The Greatest Generation". They are comprised of our mothers, grandmothers, fathers and grandfathers. They are also one of the most vulnerable populations at risk for food insecurity in our country today.

So what are we doing to help give them hope and a nutritious meal? Your donations are helping us feed, not only children, but senior citizens aross the South Plains. Summer is especially hard on the elderly. Water is always an appreciated donation. Even with the break in cool weather dehydration can cause major health problems for our senior citizens.

Hygiene

Brushing your teeth. Washing your hair. Using deodorant. Taking a shower.

These are all activities we most likely take for granted every single day. We get up and simply go through the motions without thinking about them or thinking about what it would be like if we didn't have the basic hygiene items needed.

While we have been increasing awareness for the need people have for nutritious meals, we sometimes forget there are other basic needs that are likely not being met either. Hygiene is one of those needs. The SPFB also gives out hygiene boxes that include items such as toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper, Kleenex, and other similar items. We are currently running extremely low on hygiene boxes and need your help!

Next time you are picking up these basic items for your family, consider buying an extra set and donating it to the Food Bank. You can also visit our virtual food drive and donate online! We couldn't do this without you!

Lend a Helping Hand

One of the greatest assets the SPFB has are our volunteers. I mentioned the weekly volunteers in yesterday's blog; today I want to tell you how you, too, can get involved! We welcome volunteers, both individual and group, at any time. Below I've listed a few ways we utilize volunteers.

• Preparing donated foods and hygiene items for distribution: such as, sorting donated food; repackaging dry and frozen food; packing dry, frozen, and hygiene boxes.


• Helping in the kitchen.


• Working at reception desk (good telephone/people skills needed).


• Planning and working at various Food Bank on-going functions and special events.


• Opportunities are also available at Second Helpings soup kitchens and Kids Cafe programs. Contact the Food Bank for referrals to volunteer with these programs.

This spring I brought a group of high school sophomores to volunteer and not only were they able to lend a helping hand but we had a blast! They couldn't wait to get back out here ... from teenagers!! They laughed, they worked hard and they were given the opportunity to help others. Visit our website or call Meagan Bratton (806-763-3003) for more information.

What a difference a smile can make

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet some of the wonderful, hard-working volunteers at the SPFB. Some of the men and women have been volunteering their time for many years and some, like me, are new. We are grateful for all they do.

They are the face of the food bank in many ways. They are who you talk to when you call the food bank and they are the first faces that you see as you walk through the doors. They make sure that every individual who walks through the doors of the SPFB are greeted with a smile and made to feel comfortable. They are good at what they do! They certainly make me smile sometimes all it takes is a smile to make another person's day.

It's been said that "A smile is the shortest distance between two people". Research has even indicated that 6 month old babies who smile are more socially adjusted as 2 year olds (Opportunities Today, 2008). Now that is powerful! For us adults, smiling is equally important. Not only does smiling make us feel better, it is contagious. It is a phenomenon known as "emotional contagion".

In this time of economic hardship, smiling is even more important. It gives hope. Which is what we strive to do everyday at the SPFB, give hope. Give hope to those who feel hopeless. There is so much more that happens when someone is given food. Without it there is no hope, it is difficult, if not impossible, to see past the hunger. Fulfill that basic need and suddenly there is hope for better times.

Awestruck

Hi SPFB blog readers. I'm going to be updating you about the exciting things going on at the Food Bank through this blog and I can't wait to get started. (In fact, I already did with yesterday's blog.) I am new to the SPFB and I am learning more and more each day about what an imperative service the SPFB provides for 21 counties across the South Plains. I have volunteered at the SPFB in the past and have been aware of the need to see people fed but to see first hand the lives that are improved on a daily basis has been an eye-opener. I am in awe of what is being done here, amazed that I get to be a part of it, and I want to share that with you! I want to meet you and tell you about what is being done about hunger on the South Plains.

Just yesterday I was able to visit one of the summer food sites that helps feeds children. At just that one site in Lubbock, 60 kids were fed a hot lunch today. These are children who, during the school year, receive reduced or free breakfasts and lunches at school. The meal they received at noon today may be the only hot meal they will eat today. Their bright faces and soft laughter filled the room as they were given the very basic of human rights, the right to nutrition. Soon, they were off to play and enjoy summer. How exciting to be part of an organization that aims to eradicate hunger! Thank you for all you do to help the SPFB feed our neighbors and friends.

Summer Hunger

Worldwide: Every five seconds a child will die from complications of hunger (Black, Saul, Bryce, 2003). 963 million individuals suffer from hunger and malnutrition (2008 Food Security Statistics).

United States: 1 in 10 households suffer from hunger, 35.5 million individuals, 12.6 million children (USDA Economic Research Service, 2005).

Let’s bring those statistics a little closer to home. Across West Texas, 1 in 5 individuals do not know where their next meal will come from or if there will be a next meal. Are they sitting next you in church? Are they playing with your kids at the park? Do they walk past you on the neighborhood walking path? Next time you find yourself in a large crowd think about how many people around you, statistically, do not know where they will get their next meal.

Summer is a particularly busy time at food banks all across the country. The South Plains Food Bank (SPFB) is no exception. At first glance one might wonder why summer? In the 21 West Texas counties the SPFB serves, 65% of the children receive free or reduced priced lunches during the school year, compared to a statewide average of 59% (2008 Kids Count Report). Translate that to summer and it stands to reason those same children are daily wondering if they are going to get even two full meals a day. This is commonly known as food insecurity.

So what exactly is food insecurity and what consequences manifest for the millions of Americans who suffer from food insecurity? USDA defines food insecurity as disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake (www.usda.gov). There are multiple physical and mental consequences of food insecurity. Immune systems are weakened, stomachaches and headaches are more common, fatigue and dehydration become realities and as a result there are more hospitalizations among individuals who suffer from food insecurity. Additionally, children can develop behavioral difficulties and become impaired in all aspects of school performance.

Seem a little overwhelming? Perhaps, but don’t let that stop you from lending a helping hand. The SPFB offers various opportunities throughout the year for you to get involved. For the next few days I’m going to highlight different ways the West Texas community can get involved and help ensure nutritious meals for our neighbors and friends.

“One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something.” Henry David Thoreau

Why for’s and what if’s

Before you find the right answer, you have to have the right question.

This morning at the South Plains Food Bank, we had about 15 children from Lake Ridge United Methodist Church volunteer with us. It is the first day of their Vacation Bible School program. Everyone put on hairnets and rubber gloves and went about the task of filling bags with pizza flour. One person opens the plastic bag, another drops in a label, another scoops and dumps flour, the bag is sealed and put in a bin. We will put a two pound bag of pizza flour into each food box we distribute to feed the hungry in our community.

The experience gives us a chance to talk about how children are helping, who is going to receive the bags, and how their work is helping feed others. But I like the other questions, kids ask, "Why do we have to wear hair nets?" "Why can't we just use our hands?" "Why are people hungry?" Questions about hair nets are pretty easy. ("Do you want a stranger's hair in your pizza!") Questions about why people are hungry get more complicated.

Last weekend I attended Bill's 85^th surprise birthday party. Eight-five years seems like a long time unless you know someone like Bill. Bill reminds me of the kids from Vacation Bible School this morning. He's full of energy and questions and caring. Bill's old enough to know he doesn't have all the answers, but he knows the right questions. "What would it take to make Lubbock hunger free?" "What if you had the resources you needed to feed everyone?" "What would it take to put the South Plains Food Bank out of business?" (He tells me I would have to get a real job then!)

Bill knows it's not enough to just ask the questions. He's spent a good chunk of time searching for the answers with us and trying to figure out how to put the South Plains Food Bank out of business.

The Lines Are Getting Longer

A friend of mine was in town for a few days. Naturally, I invited him to lunch. On our way I warned him that the restaurant we where we were going for lunch usually had a big crowd. Expecting a long wait, we arrived a little before noon hoping to avoid the line. To my surprise, there was no line. We were seated and served in no time at all. The food was just as good as ever, but plenty of tables were available the whole time we were there.

I saw the owner of the restaurant, Paul, and asked how his business was holding up. He smiled, pointed to the empty tables and said, “See for yourself. It’s been like this for a while. People just aren’t eating out as much.”

The irony of this hit me when I returned to the South Plains Food Bank after lunch. We had a
line of people out our door waiting to pick up food boxes.

Since late last summer, we have seen a 20% increase in the number of people turning to the South Plains Food Bank. The increase was even more dramatic in October and November when fuel prices were reaching its peak. I remembered what Paul said, “…It’s been this way for a
while.”

Magic

The food bank farm is a magical place. I have said this many times in the eight years I have worked there. Whether it is the magic that happens when a seed is planted and grows into food to feed a hungry person or the magic of a lost teen finding purpose in her life, there is magic. The magic happened again this morning when 100 three and four year olds from Sugar and Spice Pre-school visited the farm. The weather was warm and unusually calm for a spring day in Lubbock as two yellow school busses pulled up and one hundred little darlings came pouring out carrying pennies, nickels, dimes and a few quarters to throw into our wishing boat. We don’t have a wishing well, we have a wishing boat – home to about 25 koi fish that have learned to hide when small children throw money at them.

After our stop at the wishing boat we proceeded in a single file line, a very long single file line, to the opposite end of the farm where, in soil so soft the children sunk several inches, we planted green bean and pea seeds. One of the teachers asked me if we really expected the seed to grow, thinking of course my answer would be no. Farmer Roy overheard the question and answered for me, “Of course they will grow. When children plant something there is a magic that happens and it always grows.” So there you have it, straight from the farmer’s mouth – the food bank farm is a magical place!

Hunger Survey

OK... It's been a while since I've posted anything. I was talking to Jenifer Smith the other day. Jenifer has been helping out with our quadrennial hunger survey. We do it as part of a national survey conducted by Feeding America. The purpose is to give us a snapshot of the faces of hunger in the nation and here on the South Plains.

A couple of weeks ago, Jenifer went to interview clients at one of our agencies, St. Paul's on the Plains Episcopal Church. On Thursday morning, they host a Neighbor 2 Neighbor Breakfast for people in the South Overton neighborhood. South Overton is a once proud neighborhood that now is a crossroads for many homeless and low income people in Lubbock. Neighbor 2 Neighbor is a wonderful ministry that connects the church to the local community.

Jenifer showed up at 6:30 a.m. (which is no small feat in itself) to talk with clients and gather info for our survey. She spoke with a homeless gentleman, Jeff, who was coming by for breakfast. Although he is only in his mid thirties, Jeff's face is already weathered and lined from being outside so much of the time. Jeff is works as a day laborer on a steady basis. He lives "outside the library."

Part of the survey asks whether or not the participant has gone without food, has made choices between having medicine and having food, or skipped meals so someone else could eat. As Jeff responded to the questions, tears began to form in his eyes. As Jenifer put it, "They began to flood the lined channels of his face." As Jenifer shared the moment with him, tears formed in her eye. She found some tissue for him and her as they cried in silence.

Sometimes it never dawns on us... what our choices mean. Noha ben Shea says that, "Life is lived forward but understood backwards." Jeff never really thought about himself as homeless and hungry until that moment. And for the moment, all Jenifer could do was comfort Jeff and remind him of all the people in our community who care and try to help.

When Jenifer told me this story, she made a comment that stuck with me, " I wish I could wipe away his hunger as easily as I wiped away his tears."

Both Jenifer and Jeff were changed in this encounter. It's one of the the serendipties of the Food Bank that give us all a new awareness of one another and the possibilities of hope.

Help out this spring at SPFB!

We would love to have any groups or individual volunteers come to the food bank this spring! We have many opportunities available- sign up today!

Saturday Workdays (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)

At SPFB:

- Saturday, April 5, 2008

- Saturday May 3, 2008

At the Carolyn Lanier Farm:

- Saturday workdays will be available starting in March. Contact Debbie Cline at 535-4563 for more information.

Kids Cafe Volunteers Needed!

Kids Cafe is an afterschool feeding program designed to combat childhood hunger. This program provides children with nutritious evening meals in a safe environment.
Dedicated volunteers are needed to commit two hours after school, Monday through Friday, on a continual basis during the school year. Three Kids Cafe locations are currently seeking one or two volunteers per location. Duties include helping serve meals and light paperwork/roll-taking. Background checks are required
Where: Kids Cafe's at Phea Boys and Girls Club

Wilson Boys and Girls Club

Optimist Boys and Girls Club
Time: Monday through Friday, 3-5pm
Contact: Becky Jennings at 806-763-3003 or Tammy Hester at 806-544-1332

Volunteer Coaches Needed
The West Texas Running Club is dedicating it's annual Prairie Dog Run on March 8th to the South Plains Food Bank and the Kids Cafe Program. Proceeds from the run will help feed hungry children at Kids Cafe Sites in Lubbock and other South Plains communities.
Volunteer running coaches are needed to create "Team Kids Cafe!" at each participating site. In addition to eating nutritious meals, kids will have an opportunity to join in the Prairie Dog Run. Along the way, kids can see how eating and exercise go hand in hand for a healthy lifestyle.
Volunteer coaches will meet two times a week, January through March. No experience is needed! If you are interested in volunteering as a coach, please sign up with Becky Jennings at 806-763-3003, or email at volunteer@spfb.org.

Do you qualify for Food stamps?

Alot of people don't know that they might qualify for Food Stamps because they think they make to much.
But the income limits were raised in October..
Look at the chart below and see if your family might qualify.

The income limits are based on your household size.

Household Size Gross Monthly Income Limit Net Monthly Income
1 $1,037 $798
2 $1,390 $1,070
3 $1,744 $1,341
4 $2,097 $1,613
5 $2,450 $1,885
6 $2,803 $2,156
7 $3,156 $2,428
8 $3,509 $2,700
9 $3,863 $2,972
10 $4,217 $3,244
Each Additional Member +354 +272

If it looks like your income is under the gross income amount for your household size. You should feel out an application for assistance.

Contact Denise at 763-3003 or email drudd@spfb.org

New York Times Article

In the Monday edition of the New York Times, there was a good article that describes the squeeze many food banks are experiencing, shrinking inventories and increasing demand. It's happening at food banks across the country. "Food Banks, in a Squeeze, Tighten Belts"

Stop by the South Plains Food Bank Website to see what else is going on.

I'm Thankful

Social Services Outreach:

With tomorrow being Thanksgiving it made me think of all the things I am THANKFUL for and one of those is working for the FOOD BANK. It has been WONDERFUL working with all of the amazing people here at the Food Bank , and also all the many agencies being able to reach out to help the many people that the food bank serves. I just wanted to say THANK YOU for allowing me to be part of the SPFB Family and allowing me to help in the mission to alleviate hunger here on the South Plains.

In October 60 applications were completed and submitted for assistance. This number does not include the many applications that were given to potential clients that wanted just information on the many programs. Trine and I spent two days at the Lamb County Food Box and what a wonderful experience that was helping those families in that area to get help with food and resources that were much needed.

One of my biggest joys this month was being able to help an older woman get help with medicaid assistance, along with food stamps she so desperately needed. She is on a fixed income and with the rise of costs in medical care she was not able to afford her much needed medicine plus she was also not able to afford to buy food. After playing the waiting game for her applications to be processed she was APPROVED. She will receive help with Doctor’s visits, medicine, and FOOD!! What a wonderful blessing it was to help her get the assistance she so desperately needed.

Agencies that I did outreach with/or referred potential clients to me:
Catholic Family Sevices Lubbock Meals on Wheels
Across the Street Ministries-Lubbock MHMR-Lubbock
Matthews Learning Center-Lubbock Bayless Elementary-Lubbock
Hutchinson Middle School-Lubbock Tubbs Elementary-Lubbock
Children’s Protective Services-Lubbock The Bridge-Lubbock
Neighborhood House-Lubbock Family Promise-Lubbock
Covenant Counseling-Lubbock Loaves & Fishes-Morton
Buckner’s-Lubbock Parenting Cottage-Lubbock
St John’s United Methodist Church-Lubbock Hope Community of Shalom
Community Health Center of Lubbock Superior Health Plan
Salvation Army Aspermont Food Bank
Hamlin Food Bank Kent Co. Food Bank
Early Learning Centers of Lubbock Hope Community of Shalom
Homeless Consortium First Care
Hodges Elementary Lamb County Food Box
Kent County Extension Program
Non-Agencies that I did outreach at/or referred potential clients to me:
Slaton Housing Authority
Nurscare-Slaton & Tahoka

If you are an agency or individual in need of assistance for Public Assistance. Please feel free to call me at 763-3003 or email me at drudd@spfb.org and I will try to help or answer any questions you may have on public assistance.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!