September 2016
Cooking class helps teens build relationships
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ooking is an act that brings people together. Many holidays are centered around preparing and enjoying meals with loved ones, but for teens living in transitional group homes, participating in meal preparation is not often an option. However, this is not the case for teens in the Footsteps Transitional Living Program, a group home for teen boys aging out of the Foster Care System. If you were to visit the group home on a Friday right before lunch, you would find teens cooking together in celebration of #FabFoodFriday, the group home’s weekly cooking class. “These youth benefit so much from learning how to cook,” said Alissa Jecklin, clinical coordinator for the Footsteps Transitional Living Program. “It is a skill that they will be able to use for their whole lifetime, and can greatly improve their health and happiness ... [#FabFoodFriday] also provides the youth an opportunity to spend time with each other and staff — building communication skills, problem solving and developing new relationships.” The program aims to provide a fun way to teach teen boys how to prepare simple, wellbalanced meals with the hope that they will carry the skill with them into adulthood. “We’ve made all kinds of different dishes,” said Jecklin. “A few favorites include sloppy joe’s and homemade macaroni and cheese, walking tacos, spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread and salad, pancakes and eggs, chorizo and potato tacos, and philly cheese
IN THIS ISSUE
TWO TEEN BOYS PREPARE A MEAL ON #FABFOODFRIDAY. THE COOKING CLASSES AIM TO ENCOURAGE RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND PROBLEM SOLVING AMONG TEENS TRANSITIONING OUT OF FOSTER CARE.
steaks with homemade fries.” The teens are encouraged to make suggestions for the weekly meal, and if they do not have any ideas a staff member will pick one of their favorite meals to share. Staff members lead the cooking classes. “The guys seem to really enjoy the opportunity to cook together and learn new skills, “ said Jecklin. “We invite all the guys in our program to join us for lunch, even if they don’t help cook, and its one of the few times we can get almost everyone together. Sometimes we even have former residents
Primarius Web FAQ Egg sorting tips September is Hunger Action Month Agency resource room changes
stop by to help cook or eat, and we welcome that as well.” Footsteps Transitional Living Program also helps teens learn other life skills such as cleaning, budgeting, choosing a career path and making informed decisions about their futures. “We are incredibly proud of our program and the youth who participate,” said Jecklin. “We are so thankful for our connection with Ozarks Food Harvest as it helps us provide opportunities like #FabFoodFriday for our residents.”
Q: What does it mean when I have reached my credit limit when placing my order? A: Each agency has a credit limit set to their account by the OFH accounting department, based on an agency’s payment history. If your order reaches the credit limit set, the system will not allow you to submit the order. Simply remove items from your cart until you no longer receive the alert, or contact Member Services for assistance.
PRIMARIUS WEB WINDOW ALLOWS FOOD PANTRIES TO TRACK MONTHLY STATISTICS .
Primarius Web Window FAQ
Q
: Where do I add my assorted items? A: Assorted boxes can be added or requested on the Contact Information page in the comment box below the email address box. The box is smaller than before, but it does allow more information than it appears. Refer to page seven of user guide. Q: When I go to the Shipping Option page, there is already a date filled in. This date is the wrong date of my scheduled delivery. Do I need to change it? A: You need to change it to your actual delivery date. There is a small calendar icon to the right of the date box. Click on the
calendar icon and select your actual delivery date. You must order one week prior to your delivery day. Refer to page four of user guide. Q: Why didn’t I receive a statement in the mail last month? A: Agencies are now able to view their monthly statements on their online account. Each month, the statement from the previous month will be posted by the fifth of the month and it is the agency’s responsibility to print and mail in the statement and payment to Ozarks Food Harvest. Behind payments will result in an agency’s inability to order if credit limit is exceeded.
Q: What fields do I need to enter for my monthly statistics? A: Pantries must enter the totals for each of the age groups, individuals and families. Also place the total number of individuals again at the top of the page. This will allow you to track your Service Information on the My Agency tab. Congregates must enter the amounts for each meal, (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks) and the total meals served. You must also place the total meals again at the top of the page. This allows you to track your Service Information on the My Agency tab. Refer to page 11 of the user guide. Q: Why do I enter monthly statistics? A: OFH believes it is important to follow the impact each agency has on its community. Through monthly statistics we can see those you have been able to reach. With the updated system you can share the information we track at The Food Bank with your board and supporters. To access statistics, click the My Agency button in the top right corner, and then the Service Information tab Please note if an agency is behind on monthly statistics, an order will not be placed until statistics are completed.
Egg donation sorting tips for agencies When eggs are donated to Ozarks Food Harvest, they have to undergo a sorting process. Eggs need to be sorted by agencies when they are received from a source other than Ozarks Food Harvest. When sorting eggs, always wear gloves and remember that they have a one month
extension beyond their expiration date. If the majority of the eggs in the carton are broken, then throw them all away. If there are only a few broken eggs, remove them and make sure that no raw egg has touched any of the other eggs. If an egg has yolk or egg whites on the
shell, wash it off with a food-grade cleaner and a clean towel. Then place them into a clean egg carton. If the egg carton is Styrofoam, it can be washed off with the same food-grade cleaner. If the egg carton is cardboard, it needs to be thrown away if it gets contaminated by raw egg.
DID YOU KNOW? Ozarks Food Harvest and its member agencies helped a record number of clients sign up for food stamps in June. This made for a total of 70 people assisted and 41 people approved. OFH has 51 truck routes that deliver to 157 agencies and the drivers travel around 21,000 miles per month. OFH sponsors 21 After-School sites in 11 counties through the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
TEFAP corner
New TEFAP/ CSFP Policy
On June 29, 2016, an email was sent to all TEFAP/CSFP agencies regarding a new policy. Below are the highlights of the email. A Written Notice of Beneficiary Rights poster is required for religious/faith-based organizations that distribute TEFAP and/or CSFP. If you are unsure if you operate as a faith-based organization, OFH’s recommendation is to display the poster. A copy of the Sample Poster was provided and agencies were directed to display the poster in the client registration area. The poster does not need to be given to each individual client. Also attached to the email was the Policy Memorandum FD-138, which explains FD policy guidance on the final rule. The memorandum clarifies the rule’s written notice and referral requirements for religious organizations that receive USDA Foods or administrative funding as part of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) or the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
CONTACT US Ozarks Food Harvest Member Services 2810 N. Cedarbrook Ave. Springfield, Mo., 65803 memberservices@ ozarksfoodharvest.org (417) 380-5007 ozarksfoodharvest.org
Director Q & A
Mary Ann Dixon
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ary Ann Dixon has worked at Senior Age at the Ash Grove Sunshine Center for 20 years, and she is dedicated to making the food pantry experience the best that it can be for seniors. She became involved with the center after her church delivered meals to Ash Grove homebound recipients, and when an opening for an administrator position came, she quickly applied. Q: What has been your biggest challenge working at the center? A: I believe my biggest challenge is watching my seniors health deteriorate or they pass. So many of them have been my mentors for a long time. Q: What is the best part of your job? A:The best part of my job is the people. I’ve always had a special love for seniors. Q: What is your most memorable center story? A: It’s hard to choose one most memorable story but when we moved into our new building in 2001 is sure up there on top.
Q: What do you enjoy to do in your freetime? A: You might not see much of me [in the spring] as I am in the woods by 5-5:30 a.m. with my husband wild turkey hunting ... that has become my second favorite past time since our granddaughter was born. I love taking her out on the ATV to check the cows. She’s the love of our lives.
Changes in agency resource center
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zarks Food Harvest is continually striving to find ways to improve our agency relations. One way we have recently implemented better customer service into our warehouse is by changing the face of our resource center. The resource center will still be a place for agencies to get various tips and recipes that are put together by Member Services, but the room has been given a face-lift. The resource center will be staffed fulltime with warehouse personnel who are specifically trained to meet the needs of our agencies. They will be able to answer questions and communicate the needs of the agencies to other staff, all from a new desk in the resource center. A separate staff member will be responsible for picking the orders and loading the
SAVE THE DATE
product, while the customer service representative enters the orders into the system and provides invoices for agencies. This new streamlined system will allow agencies more one-on-one time with staff members while speeding up the process.
AN OFH STAFF MEMBER WILL ASSIST AGENCIES WITH ORDERS AT THE NEW DESK.
The Ozarks Food Harvest Agency Conference is April 10, 2017 at the Ramada Oasis Convention Center.
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T Hang this 1 calendar in your home and office.
Join The Food Bank for Hunger Action Month this September!
Join your regional food bank in raising awareness of hunger in the Ozarks.
Shine a light on hunger
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by lighting up your home or business ORANGE during September.
Create a Hope Note
for a child that receives a weekend backpack.
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5
Labor Day
Splash & Sizzle with Springfield-Greene County Park Board. Swim Free at Fassnight Creek and Grant Beach pools when you donate a nonperishable food item for OFH.
Last day
105.9 KGBX 18
for local food drives and mark them on your calendar to participate.
nearest dollar and donate your change to OFH when you eat at Panera Bread Sept. 5-9.
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to call the hotline & pledge your support for the Weekend Backpack Program.
Come see Kevin & Liz outside the historic Tower Theatre at Glenstone & Sunshine.
Look online
Round up your bill to the
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Watch & Share the OFH video at
ozarksfoodharvest.org
13 Become a Hunger Hero for The Food Bank! One hour
Challenge others to participate!
Join us for Good Morning Springfield
Visit the OFH booths
at MSU’s Community Engagement Fair and at Drury University’s Soak Up Springfield event.
Tea Bar & Bites Apron 14 Fashion Show & Silent Auction Proceeds benefit OFH, purchase tickets in advance at 621 S. Pickwick.
of volunteer time provides 105 meals to families.
Join OFH at CBCO
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Donate blood and learn how your gift can get an extra lift with LifePoints.
Follow OFH
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Instagram: @ozarksfoodharvest Twitter: @ozksfoodharvest Facebook: facebook.com/ ozarksfoodharvest
Sign up 25 for OFH’s newsletter at ozarksfoodharvest.org
and schedule a tour of The Food Bank.
Take the SNAP Challenge
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Host a harvest Spend only $4.50 soup cook-off
per day on food this week and share your experience online. Learn more about SNAP at ozarksfoodharvest.org
Ask that your guests bring a $3 donation for OFH and the winner of the cook-off can donate the money in his or her name.
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Visit 5 Pound Apparel downtown
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at First Friday Art Walk and purchase select T-shirts to provide 5 meals through OFH.
3 Bring a nonperishable food item to McDonald's and get a free McCafé beverage through Sept. 25.
at 7:30 a.m. at the Ramada.
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Plan a food 28 drive competition among friends. Peanut butter: 4 pts. Beans: 3 pts. Boxed meals: 2 pts. Veggies: 1 pt.
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GO ORANGE TODAY
18th annual Hungerthon radio-thon
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on iHeartMedia’s 105.9 KGBX. Join the effort to solve local child hunger.
1 in 6 people struggle with hunger. Wear orange to raise awareness.
15 Raise food and funds Partner with a SPS school to support the SPS Food Fight food drive.
Sponsor a child’s backpack for $25/mo. by calling 417-890-5429.
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Eat at Chipotle
on East St. Louis from 12-6 p.m. Mention OFH and 50% of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to OFH.
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Attend OFH’s Iron Chef at Farmers Market of the Ozarks Vote for your favorite chef with donations.
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Donate to recieve a Join the Glean handmade bowl Team to help 96¢ of every $1 goes at Panera Bread on provide fresh Fall into giving
straight to feeding programs. Give securely online at
ozarksfoodharvest.org
Campbell at the Empty Bowls event. Proceeds benefit OFH.
29 Mark your Pack your calendar leftovers for for Check Out lunch Hunger,
produce to those in need. Learn how at ozarksfoodharvest.org
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Donate the Nov. 13- Dec. 31. money you save to OFH. $1 provides 5 meals!
Get involved at ozarksfoodharvest.org
Good news at The Food Bank Cans for Coffee Food Drive
Food Bank Receives Walmart Grant
When customers donate a canned food item to any of the 63 McDonald’s of the Ozarks in more than 40 communities participating in Cans for Coffee through Sept. 25, they will receive a free McCafé beverage, including lattes, hot chocolate, McCafé coffee, mochas, iced coffee and pumpkin spice lattes. Since 2008, this drive has collected more than 201,000 pounds of food for pantries across southwest Missouri. For a list of all participating McDonald’s locations, visit ozarksfoodharvest.org.
Ozarks Food Harvest announced in August the seventh annual matching grant opportunity available to its agencies. This wouldn’t be possible without the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program. Eligible member agencies submitted requests for a chance to receive a portion of $125,000 from OFH to be used as a Challenge Grant for local hunger relief. This Hunger Challenge was especially competitive with a total of 65 grant requests totaling $246,210. Congratulations to all the agencies who received a grant and best of luck in your fundraising efforts!
LOOKING AHEAD... The Food Bank is closed Sept. 5. Wear orange on Sept. 8 to raise hunger awareness. Food safety classes are on Sept. 16.