NBC’s The Biggest Loser’s Pound for Pound Challenge Benefits Local Food Bank

NBC’s The Biggest Loser, General Mills, Subway, 24 Hour Fitness and Feeding America have partnered on the Pound For Pound Challenge, a program that encourages residents of Central Oregon and Americans across the country to lose weight nationally to help provide hunger relief locally. For every pound of weight participants pledge to lose, 14 cents will be given to NeighborImpact’s Food Bank. That is the monetary equivalent to one pound of food that NeighborImpact can distribute. The Challenge runs through June 30, 2010. To join the challenge, simply visit the Pound For Pound website at www.pfpchallenge.com or www.biggestloser.com and click on the button that says PLEDGE. For every pound of weight participants pledge to lose, the Pound For Pound Challenge will donate 14 cents to Feeding America. Although it is a National Challenge, by entering your zip code and pledging for the Oregon Food Bank, proceeds will be forwarded to NeighborImpact. NeighborImpact’s Food Bank is the Central Oregon regional affiliate for the Oregon Food Bank. Approximately 14,000 people (7% of Central Oregon’s population) are accessing meal sites, brown bag sites and emergency food boxes throughout the area every month. With the rapidly increasing need for donations, everyone can do their part to their part to spread awareness of the hunger issue and become part of the solution. In addition to pledging to lose weight, at pfpchallenge.com, you can create a PFP Challenge team on Facebook, invite friends and family to join the Challenge via e mail, donate directly to Feeding America and find other tips on eating right and weight loss. For more information or for team toolkits for your organization, or to become a Challenge Champion, please contact Sandy Klein at sandyk@neighborimpact.org or call 541-548-2380 x 148.

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Murder on the Menu to Benefit NeighorImpact

There is Murder on the Menu the evening of Thursday February 11th at 6 pm at The Design Center of Redmond. The Celebrated Chef Geoff is preparing to launch another hit TV show, “Celebrity Chef”. The public is invited to join a cast of crazy chefs for the final round of competition. Presented by The Pampered Chef, The Design Center and Buckboard Murder Mysteries, Murder on the Menu is an interactive murder mystery with proceeds going to benefit the NeighborImpact Food Bank. If you purchase your ticket in advance the cost is $25 for the first ticket and as an added incentive to buy early, the second ticket is $12.50 or $30 at the door. The Judges (aka public) can enjoy an extravaganza of food provided by Chef James Laszlo Hanzely and no-host wine and beer provided by WineStyles of Redmond. Everyone who attends is asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the NeighborImpact Food Bank. The Design Center is located at 2127 South Highway 97, Suite 110, Redmond OR. For more information or to purchase a ticket please contact Angie Standley, The Pampered Chef at 541-633-0297, Buckboard Productions at 541-548-6900 or The Design Center at 541-548-6900.

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Strictly Organic offers “Neighborly Blend” to benefit NeighborImpact

For the next six months, you can buy “Neighborly Blend” at their store or on-line at www.strictlyorganic.com $4 of every pound sold goes to support NeighborImpact. NeighborImpact provides a diversity of services that not only meet basic needs for food and shelter, but also enrich people’s lives by providing access to education, skills, and hope for the future.

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NeighborImpact Promotes Local “Grow-A-Row” For Hunger Program

NeighborImpact is promoting a local version of a national program “Grow-A-Row”. This program encourages gardeners and farmers to plant extra food to donate to area food pantries. The goal of the program is to increase access to healthy nutritional fruits and vegetables. Food pantries throughout Central Oregon are excited about the possibility to having fresh food to hand out to those in need. NeighborImpact is directing gardeners who are interested in donating fresh quality produce to visit the NeighborImpact web site for a listing of food pantries in their communities. Farmers who are interested in this program can contact NeighborImpact’s Food Coordinator, Steve Murray, at 548-2380 #108.

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NeighborImpact Food Bank Adopt a Truck Sponsorship Opportunity

NeighborImpact Food Bank is offering businesses and individuals an Adopt a Truck Sponsorship opportunity. By purchasing space on one or both of the Food Recovery Trucks, Adopters will receive exposure around the entire Central Oregon Region by having their company logo placed prominently on the side of the truck. The trucks are on the road 5 days / 45 hours a week picking up and delivering food. Anyone interested in getting more information about adopting a NeighborImpact Food Recovery Truck, please contact Sandy Klein, Development Specialist, NeighborImpact at sandyk@neighborimpact.org or call 541-548-2380 extension 148.

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A Call to Serve: Opportunities on NeighborImpact’s Board of Directors

NeighborImpact is seeking individuals to serve on the Board of Directors. There are current openings on the board for both a Crook County Community Representative and Low-Income Representative and a Deschutes County Community Representative. NeighborImpact, a private non-profit organization, provides a wide variety of services to help persons and families envision and plan for a better future by increasing personal, financial and social assets in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties. NeighborImpact also assists persons and families in crisis by helping with food, utilities, shelter and housing. NeighborImpact offers child care resources and provides early education through its Head Start program. Individuals who serve as a NeighborImpact board member will play a significant role in building success and in changing families’ lives by supporting NeighborImpact in its service to the community. For information about the Board of Directors and NeighborImpact, please contact Sharon Miller, Executive Director, at 541-548-2380 (extension 102) or sharonm@neighborimpact.org.

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Head Start is now enrolling children for the 2009-20010 school year

NeighborImpact’s Head Start Program is dedicated to helping ensure that children ages 3 and 4 from low-income families are ready for school. The Head Start Program is now accepting applications for the 2009-20010 school year. Head Start builds success for children through child focused, family-centered services that enhance social competence, school readiness and overall health and well-being. Children are provided a free high quality preschool education which includes individualized curriculum, nutritious meals, health and developmental screenings, and transportation. Head Start Classes are available throughout Crook and Deschutes counties. Space is limited.

Click here to download the Head Start Application