Family

I had dinner last night with David Weaver, our CEO, and some other gentlemen from an organization that is well affiliated with the food banking world. As dinner progressed and we started talking shop, I was interested to hear their take on our food bank. Being from California and having seen food banks much larger than ours it was interesting to hear their take on the South Plains Food Bank. Since I have only been part of the food bank world for about three weeks, I didn't know that many food banks deal with agencies only and really have no direct contact with clients. While we work with agencies, I think we all like getting to know our clients. We get to meet their kids, hear stories about their grandchildren, and keep up with the latest developments in their lives. David said it best last night, "At our food bank, every one is family."

Neighbors in Need

Some of you following for the last few weeks have discovered that I not only work here at the Food Bank, but I am also a return client. For my 19 month-old son and I there just always seems to be more month than there is money to go around. Today was my interview to renew my food stamps. We have been receiving food stamps for about a year now. But I noticed something different today as I waited in the lobby for my appointment. The lines are longer. Two lines instead of just one. More windows are open. Four windows instead of just two. Standing room only where there used to be plenty of chairs. Of course fewer rows of chairs to make more room for the additional line and longer lines. I watched two older gentlemen greet one another. One said to the other, "When did you get laid off?" I didn't hear the answer, but the first fellow replied, "I know, I was with them for going on 20 years." The faces were different, too. It seemed to me like there were more elderly folks than I have ever seen before. Usually I see women and children without any adult male, but seemed like more men were with them today. More people spoke to each other than usual. It seemed like we all realized . . . we are neighbors in need. I came back to the office thankful that I am a part of an organization that helps my neighbors in need.

Sorting Eggs

I met him officially today while he was sorting eggs. He is one of our volunteers, an older gentleman, who caught me by surprise at our Hunger Heroes Luncheon. He uses a walker or crutch to get around, but that certainly does not slow him down. After a brief introduction and hand shake, I watched him for a few minutes. He was sitting in a chair sorting the eggs that Darryle brought to him. He took each egg and inspected it for cracks and damage. If it passed, he would put it inside a carton and then set the full carton aside. He takes the job seriously, I could tell as I watched him. And then as I was walking back into my office, I thought about the food box my family received a few weeks ago when I was a client. It had a carton of eggs and not one had been broken. I had thought at the time I opened my food box that it was just luck or that their was some machine or something that kept the eggs from getting broken. But I realized this morning that that was not the case at all. Steve, a volunteer, made sure my eggs were all intact. Volunteers make a difference here at the Food Bank - even if they just sort eggs. To volunteer call Meagan at 763-3003.

Little People Make a Big Impact

Kyrsten, 6, and her little sister Aeryn, 3, raised $31.46 selling sodas at their family's garage sale. But the girls weren't trying to raise money for toys or pretty clothes. They wanted to raise money for the SPFB's Kids Cafe Program - and boy did they! The money they donated Tuesday is enough to feed 217 children! Kyrsten and Aeryn gave more than money - they gave hope to all of our children in our Kids Cafe Program. These girls are proof that every little bit helps. Thanks girls!

Above: Aeryn (pictured left) and Kyrsten look over the meal prepared for the Wilson Girls and Boys Club Kids Cafe site.

I Know What You Mean

I have referred several people to the Food Bank over the years, but recently it has been close friends - people I have known for years who now find themselves needing help. I listen and nod - hearing story after story of how they have been cutting back to the 'bare bones.' They talk about making the decision between buying medicine and gas or food. I tell them I understand, and I know what they mean. And I do. You see I not only work here at the Food Bank, but I am a client.

Thanksgiving Around the Corner

My grandmother is a fabulous cook! Any chance I get to eat a meal at her house you can set me a place. She was one of 16 kids - no twins. So she grew up picking cotton and helping her mother and sisters around the house and in the kitchen. I'm not sure when she and I started our little Thanksgiving tradition, but we have one. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving I show up early at her house and help her chop up everything she needs for the dressing and gibblet gravy. She has usually taken the pecan pies out of the oven just before I arrive - the house always smells of her delicious treats. Then I help crumble the cornbread for the dressing. When everything is done and the table wiped down we sit down and play a mean game of gin or blow-it. We have a great time the day before Thanksgiving. Then Thursday rolls around - everyone stuffs themselves and has leftovers later in the day. It took us two days to prepare for a meal that was eaten in less than two hours. But we here at the Food Bank are already starting to look ahead to Thanksgiving. In the past, we have served about 700-800 clients during Thanksgiving week. We feel like that number will be higher this year. So please consider volunteering on one of our Saturday work days in November. You may register on line at http://www.spfb.org/ or by calling 763-3003. We would love to have you join us as we prepare to serve the hungry in our community.

Memories

When I was a little girl, I remember going to a local meat market on Ave. Q. The place has closed, but I have fond memories of the shop. My mom would order a few items and while we were waiting someone would hand me a slice of cheese or bologna. Our white butcher paper wrapped order would be sacked up and we would head home. I remember that many times we would see the owner around town and he would tell us to come in, that he had something for us. I was too little to understand that most of the time he was giving us the food, or that someone else had paid for the food on our behalf. But I remember my mom, a single mother, would always take whatever we got and she would take some out and share it with someone else she knew was in need of food. As an adult I have come to realize that my mom is a product of growing up here on the South Plains. People here are just different. We care about one another. YOUR kindness and caring are valuable to us here at the Food Bank. We are proud to be part of such a compassionate and giving community.

Mystery Solved

So you have asked yourself, "What does the Food Bank do?" And, "What is a food box?" Well, I learned all of that and more from yesterday's lunch tour. I have lived here pretty much my entire life. I have given can goods during U Can Share. But I didn't know much about the Food Bank. I knew they helped hungery people, but that was all I could tell someone about the Food Bank. It was kind of a mystery to me. I didn't know where it was located, how people got the food, or anything about the clients the Food Bank served. Well, now the mystery is solved. The tour yesterday was so informative, the food was excellent, and the stories from the staff and volunteers were touching. I realized that every can I had donated really did make a difference. I shed a few tears during some of the stories and was moved that I work with people who care so deeply about meeting the needs of the hungry. I work with individuals who truly want no one to go to bed tonight hungry and hope everyone has plenty to eat this weekend. The South Plains Food Bank is no longer a mystery. So hey, mark it on your calendars, Nov. 19th at noon. Call Karen at 763-3003 to RSVP. I'll save you a place!

Pictured above are Carmyn Morrow, left, and Carolyn Ater, middle, with Jenifer Smith. Jenifer is the SPFB's Farm, Orchard, and G.R.U.B. Division Director. She shows off our 'catch of the day!'

You can help feed america!

Between now and October 31st, YOU, can take action and provide meals to hungry families across America. Visit youtube, keywords: "delicious difference" or www.kraftfoodscompany.com and watch the four minute volunteer video and Kraft will donate enough money each viewing to provide five meals ~ up to 100,000 meals ~ to Feeding America. It is a small amount of time to invest, but the return on your investment will help children in communities across America go to bed with full tummies! So let's go for it South Plains ~ on your break every day now thru Oct. 31st catch an internet wave to youtube or Kraft, watch the video, and let's make a difference!

May I Please Introduce. . .

Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Vangelia Perryman and a new face here at the South Plains Food Bank. I am the E-Communications Manager and Media contact for the Food Bank. This is my third day on the job and I must tell you ~ things around here are hopping! I have been teasing everyone that this place is like a well oiled machine. So I hope to use some of our blog to re-introduce you to YOUR South Plains Food Bank. As I learn about the ins-and-outs, I plan to share them with you. I'll start with an invitation to lunch! This Thursday, every third Thursday of the month, we offer a tour of our facilities and we feed you lunch. So clear your calendar and come see us tomorrow. Call Karen at 763-3003 to RSVP. I look forward to seeing you and re-introducing you to YOUR South Plains Food Bank.

HEB Donates to South Plains Food Bank

Working Poor

We all know that numbers can sometimes be deceiving. Often we have to look behind the numbers to really get the full story. You may have noticed that the South Plains unemployment numbers are quite so bad as the national average. That's a good thing, right? Yes, it is a good thing. However, to really get a good picture of what is going on in West Texas families, we must look a little closer.

It is good that we have a lower unemployment rate in our communities. The question remains - Is it a livable wage or income? I'm sure you have heard the term working poor before (in fact, we've blogged about it before). This is where a great majority of the clients at the SPFB fall. They do have jobs, they just can't afford to pay both the bills and go to the grocery store! We have all been hit by the hard economic times and there are a lot of people who haven't lost their jobs but they are getting paid less. The SPFB has still seen an increase in the number of individuals and families that need a little assistance each month.

Don't forget that just because someone has a job, it doesn't mean they don't need a hand up every now and then. Working poor - hard working individuals who still can't always make ends meet every month.

Reducing Waste

For the past couple of days I've been staying with my grandmother. She is a part of what is collectively known as "The Greatest Generation". This is the generation that survived the Great Depression and fought in World War II. Now, my grandmother didn't fight in World War II but she does know a thing or two about surviving a Great Depression.

The South Plains Food Bank's mission starts out by saying, "food banking solves two problems: food and waste". It's the second part that we don't always focus on - waste. This is the part my grandmother (and many in her generation) do so well. Here are a few of the little things she does: she will save an old paper towel roll (the brown cardboard part) and clean out the plastic bags that cereal comes in (from inside the box), she will then wrap the plastic around the roll, secure it with a rubber band and voila! - wax paper! When she orders a hamburger, she will take the top bun off, take it home in a napkin and eat it for breakfast the next morning. I could go on but you get the idea! As a child, I used to wonder why she did all these things and wondered if it really made a difference. Fact is, it does make a difference.

I love that the South Plains Food Bank (and food banks across the country) are able to take food that would otherwise go to waste and get it in the hands (and mouths) of the hungry. So many of us have so much and we waste what we have. In a time of recession we tend to think about ways to save and we get creative about how to make things last longer. Imagine if we did that all the time, not just when times are hard? Maybe, just maybe, the hard times wouldn't hurt quite so bad. I don't know, it's just some food for thought!

It's getting really busy!

One of my friends asked me if there is ever a slow time at the South Plains Food Bank. I told him we are busy all the time except when we get "really" busy! October is when we start to get "really" busy! It will stay that way through January. Of course when I consider the past year and the impact of the economy on the people we serve, it's been a "really" busy year. Our food distribution to the hungry has gone up by 25%.

The only way we have been close to keeping up with the increased needs because of our friends who give a little to feed a lot... a little time, a little voice, a little food, a little money. It all adds up. September was Hunger Action Month for Feeding America Food Banks across the country. Thanks to all of you who pitched in to make a difference.

Yesterday, when I was leaving, I stopped to talk to an elderly woman who was picking up a box of food. In the box was canned goods, dry goods, fresh produce, eggs, dairy products and lots of other good things that would help her and her husband get through a rough patch in their lives. When she was loaded up she gave me a hug and said, "God bless you and all the folks at the food bank!"

I'm passing on her hug and blessings today.