Downtown Daily Bread

Spring 2015 Issue 26

DDB Mission: Feed the hungry & provide services for the homeless of Harrisburg.

Inside This Issue:  Glee For DDB  Award Nomination  Print Correction  Volunteer Experience  Chronic Homelessness  Board Member 

Perspective Ways To Give

Downtown Daily Bread 310 N. Third Street Harrisburg PA 17101 www.downtowndailybread.org www.facebook.com/pages/ Downtown-Daily-Bread-DDB

717-238-4717

Elaine Strokoff Executive Director Kobie White Kitchen Manager Christine Patrick Client Counselor Cynthia Swanson Mental Health Outreach Counselor Linda McGuire Newsletter Editor

DDB Advisory Board

Chris Baldrige Elaine Blass Carlyn Chulick Georgia Lee Coffman Lee Freeman John Jewett Lisa Landis Richard D. Leigh David Saurman

Quote: “It's stunning to me what kind of an impact even one person can have if they have the right passion, perspective and are able to align the interest of a great team.”

Steve Case, American Businessman—Former CEO & Chairman of AOL

From The Director

He fell asleep in our hallway. His name is “Derrick” and he has been eating lunch at Downtown Daily Bread for about six weeks. One of the DDB counselors has been helping Derrick fill out the appropriate paper work in an effort to keep his apartment. Derrick was unable to pay his rent because he had injured his hand while doing repair jobs around the rental property. Unfortunately, as is the case with most DDB clients, Derrick had no insurance and no savings in reserve.

Derrick now lives on the street. He spends his days around Downtown Daily Bread where he arrives early for a shower, clean clothes, and maybe a hair cut. He then meets with “his buddy”, the counselor, to discuss future employment, housing, and rental assistance.

At 12:15 pm Derrick gets in line for his hot meal of the day. After lunch, he leaves to sit in Strawberry Square or the public library. One day I found him sleeping in the DDB upstairs hallway. I was concerned that he might be ill because it was so hard to rouse him.

When he awoke, Derrick told me that he had no sleep the night before because it was too crowded and noisy at the winter shelter. I felt badly for him, but happy that he had shelter on a very cold night.

Derrick, a poor, polite, challenged man, has become part of the DDB family. His needs will be addressed until solutions are found. Yesterday, Derrick told me that it is because of DDB that he “still feels like a person.” What do Derrick, hunger, and homelessness have to do with “Glee?” According to the dictionary, the word glee means “exultant, high spirited joy.” That is what you will experience on March 28 with a magnificent, slick, professional musical performance by the University of PA Glee Club. On that evening, there will be “Glee for DDB” so that Derrick and everyone else, who comes to DDB for food, comfort, and guidance, will not be turned away. All you have to do is show up, have fun, and support Downtown Daily Bread like you always do! I look forward to seeing you and sharing this special evening with you.

Elaine

Have you purchased your Glee For DDB tickets?

Don’t miss this amazing concert...see full details on next page and make plans now to attend this celebration of song & dance! $50 VIP tickets include priority seating and champagne reception plus Raffles, Prizes, & Silent Auction.

Free parking in the South Street Garage.

All proceeds benefit DDB!

Board Members

In our last issue, we listed our DDB Advisory Board Members and in error omitted the name of Lisa Landis. We apologize for the mistake and are grateful to have Lisa as part of our board.

United Way Designation Does your employer offer automatic payroll contributions to United Way? If so, you can specify DDB as your charity of choice. Check with your company’s Human Resources Dept. or with the United Way to make your selection to support DDB. Thank you in advance!

April is National Volunteer Month.

DDB wants to give recognition in advance and say “Thank You!” to our all dedicated volunteers… because of you we are able to carry out the DDB mission.

Celebrate The Season…

Happy Easter, Happy Passover & Happy Spring!

Singing, Dancing, Champagne Glee For DDB Don’t miss this night of lively entertainment

Saturday, March 28th 7:30pm Fresh off an appearance at the White House for a Christmas concert, the University of Pennsylvania Glee Club will be performing at Pine Street in a benefit concert for Downtown Daily Bread. The group has a long history of choral excellence and theatrical showmanship. Now in its 153rd season, it is the oldest performing arts group at the University of Pennsylvania, and one of the oldest collegiate glee clubs in America. Be ready for a treat—the energy and enthusiasm of the Penn Glee Club is infectious!

This event is a joint effort of the Downtown Daily Bread Advisory Board and the Music at Pine Street.

This fundraiser is essential in order to carry out our mission to feed the hungry of Harrisburg so we need your help!

Join us for a fabulous experience of singing and dancing, raffle, and champagne reception following the concert. DDB, a vital source for so many, needs your attention and assistance to survive the rising costs of food, the increasing needs of its clients, and the influx of those served each day.

Please return the completed form to make your sponsorship commitment or to reserve your tickets today!

Glee For DDB Sponsorship Form Name(s): ___________________________________ Business: ___________________________________ Address __________________________________________ City: ______________________ State: ____ Zip: ____________ Phone: ________________________ Email: ________________________ Name as you wish it to appear in program: __________________________________________ Sponsorship Levels: ___ Leading Note ($10,000) ____ Soprano ($5,000) ____ Alto ($2,500) ____ Tenor ($1.000) ____ Baritone ($500) ___ Bass($250) ____ Sharp/Flat Note Friend ($100) Payment Options: ____ Enclosed is my check payable to DDB

____ PayPal Please use The Pine Street Presbyterian Church PayPal account.

Please mail completed form to: Downtown Daily Bread 310 N. Third St., Harrisburg, PA 17101 Downtown Daily Bread is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

Sponsorship Deadline: Friday, March 20th Contact Co-Chair, Carlyn Chulick @ carlynC2@aol.com or Elaine Strokoff @ estrokoff@pinestreet.org for complete sponsorship details.

Glee For DDB Ticket Order Form I want to attend Glee For DDB!

Name: ____________________________ ____ $50 VIP Tickets (Concert & Champagne Reception) ____ $25 General Admission Tickets ____ I can’t attend, but I’d like to make a donation Payment Options: _____ Enclosed is my check payable to DDB _____ PayPal Please use The Pine Street Presbyterian Church PayPal account.

Just indicate in the PayPal comments section that you are purchasing Glee For DDB tickets. Remember ticket sales are tax deductible. Note: All tickets will picked up at Will Call, no tickets will be mailed.

What Is Your Perspective?

DDB Advisory Board Member, Lee Freeman, shared the following: “For the moment, I set the most recent issue (Fall) of DDB News aside figuring we (the board) covered most of the content in our last board meeting.

I just had a break at work and read it to end.

Taking a moment to pause for a few days had its benefits. Namely, as I read DDB News, I read it as if I didn't know anything about DDB. Each article, each story, each statistic and each personal connection written has given me a new found appreciation for DDB, the people it serves, the people who make it work, and Elaine’s leadership.

Thanks for all you do and all DDB does!!!” Another testimony to Elaine’s leadership appears below.

The Central Penn Business Journal is pleased to announce Elaine Strokoff is a finalist for their prestigious 2015 Nonprofit Innovation Award “Nonprofit Leadership Excellence”.

These awards honor Central PA 501(c)(3) organizations of all sizes, throughout seven counties, and their executives demonstrating innovation in their daily operations. DDB certainly believes Elaine excels in the leadership category!

Awards will be presented during a breakfast banquet Monday, March 9th from 7:30am to 10:00am at the Hilton Harrisburg. Congratulations, Elaine!

According to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, here’s what we know about people experiencing chronic homelessness in the U.S.

Feeding Harrisburg’s hungry since 1983!

Meaningful Mother’s Day Gift

Client Comments

Does Downtown Daily Bread really make a difference? Yes, every day for many people. Our clients tell us so...their voices could be those of so many: “Downtown Daily Bread saved my life. One more day on the streets and I would have been dead.” Joe, age 54. “That hot lunch was a gift.” Marie, age 55. “It is a miracle that you are here.” “I am new to being homeless; I didn’t know where to start.” Jeff, age 41.

Volunteer Motivation

Elaine asked what motivates me to stay involved with DDB after I moved out of state over a decade ago? The answer is, “I love the joy helping others brings. I was looking for a way to make a difference when I learned about DDB. The services it provides truly impact lives and I am grateful I can be part of that mission. As I enjoy the comforts of my home and all I have, I am mindful that not everyone has the same blessings. I want to offer hope to others.” Blessed are those whose hope is in the Lord their God. Psalm 145:5 Linda McGuire, Newsletter Editor

Volunteer Experience

A volunteer from Silver Spring Presbyterian Church shared this message: “I just returned home from another uplifting afternoon of service at Downtown Daily Bread serving lunch to those less fortunate.

Most of the clients are extremely courteous and mannerly and so appreciate our volunteerism and a friendly face. The experience makes me wonder what happened in their lives to cause them to struggle so. One young woman in particular came to our aid when a disgruntled client began to give us a hard time. The young woman wanted to apologize for his behavior. After the lunch period was over, this same woman helped to clean up the eating area and thanked us many times. A number of other clients came to our aid as well and told us how much they appreciated our friendliness and service. If you have never served lunch at Downtown Daily Bread, I hope you will consider taking a turn. It is so satisfying to know that you have helped nourish those less fortunate and have been a friendly part of their lives at a time when things aren't going so well for them. Smiles and kind words can go a long way.”

We welcome your suggestions, comments, and feedback.

You can stay connected with us on Facebook.

Thanks to ACS (Art Communication Systems), for printing this newsletter. We are pleased to have a partnership with ACS! Harrisburg’s Premier Commercial Printing Service offers printing, graphic design, sales/marketing, & web development. Call Park Cook, ACS, @ 717-232-0144.

Recognize your Mother, Grandmother, Aunt or a Special Someone this Mother’s Day by making a donation to DDB in their honor.

We will mail a special “Happy Mother’s Day!” certificate to your honoree. This gift will bring joy to her and to others. A $10 donation will feed 5 people. Simply complete & return the form below:

Deadline for certificate: Friday, May 1st

N a me: ___________________________ Addr ess: _________________________ _________________________

I want to honor someone this Mother’s Day with a donation to DDB: Ho no r ee’ s N a me: _____________________ R ela tio nship T o Dono r : _________________ Addr ess: __________________________ __________________________ Do na tio n Amo unt $______ ($ 10 mi ni m u m, p l e a se ) P a ya ble to : Do wnto wn Da ily Br ea d 310 N . T hir d S tr eet Ha r r isbur g P A 17101

Did You Know?

DDB served approximately 40,000 meals during 2014? And our new year started off with 2,605 meals in January. If that’s any indication, we can anticipate multiplying that number by 12 in 2015.

Ways To Give Are you able to help? There are many ways to give to DDB, whether it be in the form of funds, food, or other items.

Please that remember all donations are tax deductible.

Financial Support: Always the Best Gift! When you support DDB financially, we are able to maximize those funds collectively by making more economical purchases.

With your donations $2 pays for one meal; $50 for 25 meals; $100 for 50 meals, etc. Please consider sponsoring a meal with your family, friends, or business. You will feel good knowing that you are feeding a group of hungry people at Downtown Daily Bread. Make secure online donations via the DDB website through PayPal or make checks payable to Downtown Daily Bread.

Suggested Food Items: Ham, Chicken, Turkeys or Beef; #10 Cans Fruits, Vegetables, and Soups, Spices, Spaghetti Sauce, Coffee, and Drink Mixes.

Non-Food Needed Items: Aluminum Foil, Paper Towels, Styrofoam Bowls and Cups, and Liquid Dish Detergent

Pine Street Presbyterian Church

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID HARRISBURG PA PERMIT NO. 293

310 North Third Street Harrisburg PA 17101 Forwarding Address Requested