NeighborImpact launches Capital Campaign “Feed the Need”

Groundbreaking Ceremony on February 25th at 11:30 kicks off NeighborImpact’s Capital Campaign “Feed the Need” to raise $100,000 to expand the Emergency Food Warehouse. The Food Bank is the backbone of the Emergency Food System in Central Oregon. The expansion effort would be tripling the storage area available for food storage of fresh, frozen and dry products. Since 1992, NeighborImpact has increased the pounds of food from 450,000 to over two million pounds annually. This expansion will allow NeighborImpact to increase the food received from Oregon Food Bank and local grocery stores that then goes to feed over 14,000 individuals monthly.

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13th Annual $1 Million Giveaway to Fight Hunger

For the 13th consecutive year, Alan Shawn Feinstein of Cranston, Rhode Island, will divide $1 million among anti-hunger agencies nationwide. The Feinstein Challenge matches money donated to NeighborImpact’s Food Bank between March 1st and April 31st. NeighborImpact has set up the Virtual Food Drive on their website to help promote the Feinstein Challenge and make it easier for people to donate to the Food Program. The more money collected during the challenge, the larger percentage the Feinstein Foundation will give to the Food Bank, making this an ideal time for anyone who has considered donating to NeighborImpact’s Food Bank. The Virtual Food Drive can be accessed by clicking here and then clicking on the Virtual Food Drive Link. For more information, contact Sandy Klein at sandyk@neighborimpact.org or call 541-548-2380 x 148.

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Mad City Chickens Fundraiser For NeighborImpact’s Food Bank

The Season, Your Backyard Farm Center, presents a movie about urban chickens, Tarazod’s Documentary: Mad City Chickens. Mad City Chickens is a sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical look at the people who keep urban chickens in their backyards. From chicken experts and authors to a rescued landfill hen or an inexperienced family that decides to take the poultry plunge—and even a mad scientist and giant hen taking to the streets—it’s a humorous and heartfelt trip through the world of backyard chickendom. Anyone interested in learning about having chickens within city limits, and what is needed to successfully keep urban chickens is encouraged to attend. Duane and Julie Schiedler from Celebrate the Season in Bend will give a short presentation before the movie on raising and keeping urban chickens, Sydney Leonard and Sandy Klein will talk about the NeighborImpact Food Bank and Community Food. The aim is to educate the urban population on the benefits of raising ones own food, and to bring to light the misconceptions people might have about the raising of poultry in an urban setting. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and will include a no host wine and beer bar, refreshments, and a silent auction featuring many items for the backyard chicken keeper. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door and seating is limited. Call 541-Chicken (541-244-2536) for ticketing and information or e mail 541chicken@gmail.com.

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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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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.

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