Georgia Mountain Food Bank - "Feeding Hope" - 2021 Fall Newsletter

Feeding

hope IN THIS ISSUE Kay’s Reflections Georgia Legal Food Frenzy Page 2

Empty Bowl Is On! Page 3

Business After Hours At The Food Bank Dine Card, A Boost For Business And Citizens Page 4

www.gamountainfoodbank.org

Fall 2021

Kay’s reflections Kay Blackstock, Executive Director

Kay Blackstock, Executive Director

Georgia Mountain Food Bank 2021-2022 Board of directors Brian Bailey, MBA, CFRE Major Gifts Officer/The Medical Center Foundation Joy Banks Auditor, Hajoca Corporation Julie Knight-Brown Nutrition Director/Lumpkin County Schools Justin Burruss Audit Supervisor, Rushton & Company Gerald Couch Sheriff, Hall County Steven Ellis Owner, Ellis & Company Wes Hunt CEO, Homestar Financial Corporation Cheryl Jones Nutrition Director/Hall County Schools Carli Jones Jaemore Farms, Agritourism Director Kas Lawson Attorney, Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar Lori Lebow Ophthalmologist, Gainesville Eye Associates Kyle Lewallen Owner, Lew’s Custom Cutting Boards Tate O’Rouke Business Development Manager, Jackson EMC Dr Carly Redding University of North Georgia Casey Ryals Hall County Farm Bureau Insurance Lauren Samples Partner, Tillman, Baily & Associates Felix Santiago Northeast Georgia Health Systems Carl Wagster Retired George Wangeman Gainesville City Council

Here in northeast Georgia, an average of 38% of residents have had at least one dose of the Covid vaccine, meaning that there is still a dangerous threat to the health and safety of over half who live here. Considering our poverty rate hovers around 14% in Georgia, there are thousands of people lacking the resources to meet basic needs. For so many children, the pandemic crisis was just another layer on top of their troubled world.

People are still struggling despite the fact that almost every business has a “Help Wanted” sign in the window. There are so many theories about this confusing situation, and most are plausible, probably even interrelated. The fact is the fact. If the

shortage in the workforce continues, the economy will surely take more hits and the number of people at risk will grow.

With your help, we were able to adapt, evolve and step up to the devastation caused by Covid. We are prepared to do whatever we need to do to try and prevent anyone going hungry, for however long the problems linger. You’ll be there with us, won’t you?

Keep growing the love with us,

Kay Blackstock, Executive Director

meet board member Lauren Samples GMFB welcomes Board Treasurer, Lauren Samples. Lauren is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Georgia and holds a B.B.A. in accounting from North Georgia College and State University and a Master of Taxation from Georgia State University.

Lauren has a diverse range of experience in taxation and attest services, as well as small business services. She is also very active in the community, having served in leadership roles in local nonprofit and community organizations, and is a graduate of Leadership Hall County.

As Lauren shared “I joined the Georgia Mountain Food Bank board during Covid and have been amazed at how the Food Bank responded to the increased and new needs in the community during the pandemic. I have also been humbled by the outpouring of support from donors to the organization during this time, which is a testament to the trust donors have in the desire and ability of the Food Bank to reach the needs of the food insecure no matter what the challenge.”

georgia legal food frenzy Thanks to all who participated in the 2021 annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy. This statewide initiative provides food and funds to support Georgia Food Banks. The legal community in Dawson, Forsyth, Hall, Lumpkin, and Union Counties competed again this to year to raise support for Georgia Mountain Food Bank. We are truly grateful for your commitment to the communities we serve. This year, we had 18 firms to join in the competition!

And our 2021 Legal Food Frenzy Winners are Stewart, Melvin and Frost of Gainesville, GA. They raised enough to help Georgia Mountain Food Bank provide over 28,000 meals! Since 2012, the campaign has generated more than $158,000!

EMPTY BOWL 2021 IS ON! live auction bowls The live auction at the Empty Luncheon was born out of an idea by legendary Mike Banks, who spontaneously asked Phil Neikro to place his hands on a bowl and sign while serving as a celebrity server. From that time forward, we have been honored to have so many memorable bowls donated by “celebrities.” From college Presidents to Music Stars & Legends, to Athletes, to Politicians and more, the live auction bowls have brought many gifts to the Georgia Mountain Food Bank. The story of the Empty Bowl is a powerful influence to attract “celebrities” to participate:.

Our Painting Coach, Sara Oakley, designs, paints and fires these beautiful bowls. We are always so humbled by the support by bidding on the live auction bowls! DOUG CARTER, our local auctioneer is the key to the success of our live auction! THANK YOU, DOUG!

As of June 21, 2021, bowls to be auctioned this year are: Ambassador Andrew Young Comedian Jeff Foxworthy Nascar Legend Bill Elliott Legends Bowl–Chase & Bill Elliott Country Music Star Chris Jansen Cancer Survivor Brecklyn Syfan Do you have an idea for a future “celebrity bowl painter”? Please contact us at kay@gamountainfoodbank.org.

Winner Chosen for the

Empty bowl t-shirt contest

Sponsorships for Empty Bowl still Available!

Empty Bowl 2021 is on! Last year, proceeds from Empty Bowl helped provide over 833,000 meals for area neighbors. This year, our goal is providing 1 MILLION MEALS from Empty Bowl. You and your company can help us meet this goal by returning as an Empty Bowl sponsor. We know you care, and we know with your help, we can help feed the children, seniors, and families in need right here in our community.

Sponsorships and tickets are still available.

The second annual Empty Bowl T-Shirt Design Contest ran from April 1-May 14, and we received over 60 entries! The judges certainly had a tough time selecting a winner, as all the entries were so colorful and reflective of “Growing The Love” which is the Empty Bowl Lunch theme. We are happy to announce that Jay Lovell, age 11, student of Terry Fung at Sardis Elementary School submitted the winning design. Jay will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card and recognition at the Empty Bowl Lunch, Sept. 21.

Tribute Bowls

Tribute Bowls honor Philip Sartain and Jim Walters

For more information on becoming a sponsor, call 770-534-4111 or email rebecca@gamountainfoodbank.org.

Bowl painting parties are back!

Bowl painting parties are back! If you or someone you know are interested in painting a bowl for our Empty Bowl Lunch, now is your chance to sign-up! We need to get 1,000 bowls painted by September’s event. The cost per bowl is $10, and each bowl represents the empty bowls in our community that will be filled because of your support. You can have fun and help the Food Bank at the same time! Hurry, time slots are filling fast! For more information, email Sara Oakley at paintingcoach@ gamountainfoodbank.org.

This year, the Volunteer of the Year award is named for our former Board Member and Friend, Phillip Bond Sartain who passed away.

Our Corporate Volunteer of the Year award is named for founder and long-time friend to the Food Bank, Jim Walters. We plan to name and honor these awards in perpetuity for these men who had so much influence in the successful launch of this grassroots project. We give thanks to the family for allowing us to honor their loved ones in this way.

Join us at the Food Bank for Greater Hall Chamber’s

“Business After Hours” at GMFB August 12, 5-7 pm

GMFB knows that love means making sure that families have food, and they work hard every day to get food to neighbors in north Georgia. Come learn more about how we are growing the love in our community at Greater Hall Chamber’s Business After Hours event. Hosted at GMFB, the event will focus on the Food Bank’s role in feeding those dealing with food scarcity, both before, during and after this pandemic year. You can also help us prepare for our Empty Bowl lunch by participating in bowl painting! Bowl painting will be available for a $10 donation per bowl and is a wonderful way to support our efforts to provide ONE MILLION MEALS from the proceeds of Empty Bowl.

Enjoy food, music, and fellowship as we join back together! Back by popular demand, “Curtis Jones” band! Chamber members $5 Chamber Member; $15 Non-Member.

For more details, contact Mandy Lathem, 770-532-6206 x115 or mlathem@ghcc.com

Dine Card!

A boost for Businesses, Citizens.

GMFB is teaming up with an area foundation with the goal of providing support for both food-insecure families and restaurants in the Gainesville area. Thanks to an initiative from the Ralph and Mary Cleveland Foundation, GMFB has introduced a “Dine Card” program, which allows families to receive a meal voucher card to be used at a participating restaurant located in Gainesville—a combination that will, ultimately, benefit both parties involved in the transaction.

The early stages of the program have seen a high level of participation so far, with 172 cards distributed during the months of April and May. “We felt like this was an extraordinary opportunity to provide meaningful assistance to families facing food insecurity while also supporting locally-owned restaurants, both of whom have been severely tested by the Covid pandemic,” said GMFB Executive Director Kay Blackstock.

You can help! Those interested in donating toward the Dine Card program are encouraged to contact GMFB directly at 770-534-4111 or email rebecca@ gamountainfoodbank.org The Dine Card provides its user with five meals at up to a $20 value per meal to be redeemed at one of these establishments: • The Coffee Shop • The Inked Pig • Hop’s Kitchen • The Collegiate Grill • Sweet Magnolia’s

Dine Cards may be obtained by registering with participating Hall County GMFB partner agencies.

Families then receive the cards at one of these local food pantries: • The Community Food Pantry • Good Samaritan Food Bank • Sunshine Seniors • John Paul II • Iglesia Nueva Vida

Join AmazonSmile and donate to Georgia Mountain Food Bank with your purchase. Enjoy giving at no cost to you! Amazon donates 0.5% of eligible purchases.

Visit smile.amazon.com Are you a regular Kroger customer?

If so, you can help Georgia Mountain Food Bank every time you shop! Just link your Kroger digital account/shopping card to us and your all set! www.kroger.com/hc/help/faqs/ community-rewards/general Visit gamountainfoodbank.org/donate-food for our most needed items list.

Staff Kay Blackstock, Executive Director Ronii Diaz, Administrative Assistant Colton Donino, Warehouse & Order Management Associate Clint Frain, Driver

Perla Ibarra, Neighborhood Fresh Coordinator Bobby Leverington, Driver Lydia Johnson, Agency Services Coordinator Rebecca Thurman, Business Manager

Alec Tipton, Warehouse Supervisor Denise Bernardi, Volunteer Coordinator Ben Maxwell, Warehouse & Agency Services Associate