February 2024 — Heart to Heart Food Pantry

February 24, 2024

By Amy CaskieWeekly Update

Weekly Update

Statistics

Households Served

58 in Drive- Thru on Tuesday, February 20
44 at Pop-Up Pantry on Wednesday, February 21
49 in Drive-Thru on Thursday, February 22
29 total new families this week

Please note: There were corrections made to last week’s stats in the blog.

2023 Annual Report

Heart to Heart’s annual report is now available online. Hard copies will also be placed at First Community North and South. Click the image for a PDF of the report.

Volunteers Needed

Monday, February 26

8:30 am- 9:30 am Cold Stocking (1)
3:30 pm- 5:00 pm MOFB Order Unloading (4)

Tuesday, February 27

8:30 am- 10:30 am Drive-Thru (3)
10:00 am- 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (6)

Wednesday, February 28

1:00 pm- 2:00 pm MOFB Shop-Thru (1)

Thursday, February 29

8:30 am- 10:30 am Drive Thru (5)
10:00 am- 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (2)

Friday, March 1

9:00 am- 10:00 am Direct Retail Pickup (1)

Sign up to Volunteer

News

Calling All Gardeners!

New or Experienced

The Share & Learn Garden at First Community North is seeking volunteers for the upcoming growing season. This group of gardeners manages several raised beds that grow fresh produce for the food pantry. This is a great opportunity for those who want to contribute to the success of Heart to Heart in a unique way! Master Gardeners Cheryl and Loren Van Deusen will teach you everything you need to know, no experience required. If you want to learn more about the opportunity, the group’s first meeting is coming up soon.

Social Media

Here’s what you may have missed this week! To see regular updates, follow us on

Instagram @heart_to_heart_food_pantry
Facebook @hearttoheartpantry

Volunteer Training Opportunities

Mid-Ohio Food Collective Trainings

The Mid-Ohio Food Collective offers regular training opportunities for food pantry staff and volunteers. Trainings on FreshTrak and Food Safety will help you learn more about pantry operations and make you an even more effective volunteer! They also occasionally offer training on advocacy, and other topics that may be of interest to you.

For most trainings, volunteers will need to register with an agency name and number: Heart to Heart Agency #1042

Register Online at MOFC Agency360

Advocacy 101

Join the Conversation

MOFC’s Government Relations Team- Tim White and Hallie Carrino-Lee will host an open forum to discuss the State Budget and its effects on essential programs and benefits for your customers.

Explore ways to push back and advocate against the continued assault on SNAP and othe Hinger/Feeding issues and what’s happening on Capitol Hill.

Bring your questions and prepare to engage! Registration is required. This session of Advocacy will be held via ZOOM.

Thu, Jun 13 at 10 am

FreshTrak Basic Training

(FKA PantryTrak)

This online via zoom workshop will provide the fundamentals to get started with FreshTrak at your agency. Participants with learn how to administer the intake process using FreshTrak and will be guided on best practices for developing an efficient process in registering your clients. For agencies already using FreshTrak, this workshop will be helpful as a refresher of the basics.

Questions? Contact Ann Miller-Tobin at amillertobin@mofc.org

The following dates and times are available:

Thu, Mar 14 at 10 am
Tue, Apr 2 at 10 am

MOFC Food Safety Training

Level 1 Person In Charge

This training was developed by Feeding America and ServSafe for those who partner with foodbanks and is relevant to the work you are doing in your communities.

The course is online, at no-cost to your agency and once taken and successfully passed, the certification never expires for the person who takes the training!

Questions? Contact Ann Miller-Tobin at amillertobin@mofc.org

The following dates and times are available:

Mon, Apr 29, 10 am – 12:30 pm

3-Part Learning Journey

Facilitator Daniel Juday, will explore inclusion, culture, barriers and obstacles in the work that we do while learning tools for building better relationships with our customers, co-workers, and volunteers.

All sessions will take place in-person at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective main campus: 3960 Brookham Dr. Grove City, OH. 43123.

April 25 Part 1. Understanding Ourselves
June 4 Part. 2 – Understanding Our World
September 12 Part. 3 – Understanding Our Team

Questions? Contact Ann Miller-Tobin at amillertobin@mofc.org

For more information on this 3-Part training and a link to sign up, please click here.

February 23, 2024

Love0

February 17, 2024

By Amy CaskieWeekly Update

Weekly Update

Statistics

Households Served

78 in Drive- Thru on Tuesday, February 13
42 at Pop-Up Pantry on Wednesday, February 14
57 in Drive-Thru on Thursday, February 15
45 total new families this week

Corrected 02/22/2024

Holiday Closing

Mark your calendar! We will be closed on Monday, February 19 in observance of President’s Day. Click the image below for a complete list of 2024 closings.

Volunteers Needed

Monday, February 19

Closed for President’s Day!

Tuesday, February 20

8:30 am- 10:30 am Drive-Thru (4)
10:00 am- 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (6)

Wednesday, February 21

1:00 pm- 2:00 pm MOFB Shop-Thru (1)

Thursday, February 22

8:30 am- 10:30 am Drive Thru (5)
10:00 am- 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (1)

Monday, February 26

Next Truck Delivery!

Sign up to Volunteer

News

SOUPerbowl Results

Thank you to all who donated this past Sunday to our Soup Drive during worship services. Thanks to your generosity we collected 412 pounds and $185 in donations.

Leading in soup donations: FC North with 289 pounds and $45 donated
Leading in financial contributions: FC South with $140 and 123 pounds donated

Kansas City may have won the big game, but we feel like the real winners at Heart to Heart!

Kroger Community Rewards

Through the Community Rewards program, Kroger makes a contribution to Heart to Heart every time you shop.

In the quarter beginning November 1, 2023 and ending January 31, 2024 we earned $910.99 from the 257 participating households.

Enroll your Kroger customer loyalty card in the program today. Visit kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards and choose Organization #TB926 (First Community Church).

You can also login to your account to see how much your participation earned for us last quarter!

Colin Gawel

January 12’s Cheap Trick for Charity event at Woodlands Tavern raised $850.00 for Heart to Heart. We are grateful for Colin (and the rest of the Cheap Trick cover band) for continued support of our ministry. As highlighted at the Volunteer Appreciation and Awards dinner, Colin held 3 events for our benefit in 2023 alone.

Jan 9-16, 2023 Food Drive at Colin’s Coffee
Jan 14, 2023 Cheap Trick for Charity
Nov 28, 2023 Cheap Trick for Charity

Colin is the owner of Colin’s Coffee, which recently moved into a shared space with the Daily Growler on Fishinger Rd. We encourage you to stop in, grab a coffee, and show him your appreciation for his support.

Heart of Gold Award

At last week’s Volunteer Appreciation and Award Dinner, we honored many of outstanding volunteers. One volunteer was especially singled out for her dedication to our ministry!

Rose Kandel is the recipient of our first ever Heart of Gold award.

This award will be presented annually to the volunteer with the most recorded service hours at Heart to Heart. Rose had a total of 399.33 hours, and that is just what was recorded! She also spent many hours off site in her role as one of the Pop-Up Pantry’s volunteer leaders, meticulously organizing information and remaining in constant communication with the staff. If you see Rose, please thank her for her service.

Social Media

Here’s what you may have missed this week! To see regular updates, follow us on

Instagram @heart_to_heart_food_pantry
Facebook @hearttoheartpantry

Donations

Volunteer Training Opportunities

Mid-Ohio Food Collective Trainings

The Mid-Ohio Food Collective offers regular training opportunities for food pantry staff and volunteers. Trainings on FreshTrak and Food Safety will help you learn more about pantry operations and make you an even more effective volunteer! They also occasionally offer training on advocacy, and other topics that may be of interest to you.

For most trainings, volunteers will need to register with an agency name and number: Heart to Heart Agency #1042

Register Online at MOFC Agency360

Advocacy 101

Join the Conversation

MOFC’s Government Relations Team- Tim White and Hallie Carrino-Lee will host an open forum to discuss the State Budget and its effects on essential programs and benefits for your customers.

Explore ways to push back and advocate against the continued assault on SNAP and othe Hinger/Feeding issues and what’s happening on Capitol Hill.

Bring your questions and prepare to engage! Registration is required. This session of Advocacy will be held via ZOOM.

Thu, Feb 22 at 10 am
Thu, Jun 13 at 10 am

FreshTrak Basic Training

(FKA PantryTrak)

This online via zoom workshop will provide the fundamentals to get started with FreshTrak at your agency. Participants with learn how to administer the intake process using FreshTrak and will be guided on best practices for developing an efficient process in registering your clients. For agencies already using FreshTrak, this workshop will be helpful as a refresher of the basics.

Questions? Contact Ann Miller-Tobin at amillertobin@mofc.org

The following dates and times are available:

Tue, Feb 20 at 2 pm
Thu, Mar 14 at 10 am
Tue, Apr 2 at 10 am

MOFC Food Safety Training

Level 1 Person In Charge

This training was developed by Feeding America and ServSafe for those who partner with foodbanks and is relevant to the work you are doing in your communities.

The course is online, at no-cost to your agency and once taken and successfully passed, the certification never expires for the person who takes the training!

Questions? Contact Ann Miller-Tobin at amillertobin@mofc.org

The following dates and times are available:

Mon, Apr 29, 10 am – 12:30 pm

3-Part Learning Journey

Facilitator Daniel Juday, will explore inclusion, culture, barriers and obstacles in the work that we do while learning tools for building better relationships with our customers, co-workers, and volunteers.

All sessions will take place in-person at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective main campus: 3960 Brookham Dr. Grove City, OH. 43123.

April 25 Part 1. Understanding Ourselves
June 4 Part. 2 – Understanding Our World
September 12 Part. 3 – Understanding Our Team

Questions? Contact Ann Miller-Tobin at amillertobin@mofc.org

For more information on this 3-Part training and a link to sign up, please click here.

February 15, 2024

Love0

Volunteer of the Month: February 2024

By Amy CaskieVolunteer

Nora Ginnan

“I love Heart to Heart, have been volunteering here since 9th grade, and have had nothing but wonderful experiences. Every interaction I have had makes me so happy because I am able to truly see how I am helping others, and it is a feeling I love.”

February 9, 2024

Love0

Pop-UPdate: January 2024

By Amy CaskiePupdate

In January, the Pop Up Pantry, delivered to the following sites:

January 3: Commons at Livingston – 40
January 10: Hope Resource Center – 40
January 17: Southpoint – 42
January 24: Grant – 36
January 25: Riverview International Center – 40
January 31: Hope Resource Center – 40

Pop Up 2024 Monthly totals:

January: 238

YTD: Individuals/families served: 238

We have had a busy start to our 2024. We had a fun adventure serving families at Southpoint this month. The weather was especially cold that day. We were bundled up and delivered door to door. We were thankful the sun was shining which helped us out quite a bit.

The winter is hard on our friends at Hope Resource Center. The center welcomes its neighbors in for a warm place to sit for a while and serves meals and provides clothing, and lends guidance and support to all who enter. We are thankful for all the warm clothing donations we receive. We take many bags of donated clothes and mats out to the site along with our many bags of food and toiletries. This truly is a center filled with “HOPE”! This is our favorite place to meet with our neighbors. We are blessed beyond measure.

Kathleen and I know we couldn’t do what we do without our dedicated volunteers. They consistently show up with positive attitudes and willingness to pitch in wherever there is a need. Volunteering is so important to our team. We want to give our neighbors a feeling of ‘hope’ and to feel ‘seen’ and ‘loved’. In return, we are humbled.

We would like to recognize all our devoted donors, volunteers and drivers this month: Neal Snyder and his dog Oreo, Richard Jacob, Pat Porterfield, the Trading Post, the Mat Makers, Tom and Pam Dobies, Peg Roberts, Bruce and Ellen Crouthamel, Carla Edlefson, Kitty and Dick Rohrer, Janice Rook, Melody Smiley, Glenn Zook, John Oberlin, Mark Tucker, Boyce Lancaster and Les Sauer!

We are so thankful for their dedication and we have made lasting friendships along the way.

~Rose and Kathleen

February 9, 2024

Love0

February 10, 2024

By Amy CaskieWeekly Update

Weekly Update

Statistics

Drive-Thru Households Served

66 on Tuesday, February 6
66 on Thursday, February 8

Pop-Up Households Served

43 on Wednesday, February 7

Monday’s Order

Our next order from Mid-Ohio Foodbank is due Monday, February 12. We are expecting over 8,800 pounds to be delivered. If you can volunteer to help unload and stock, please sign up online.

Click the image below to enlarge.

Volunteers Needed

Monday, February 12

8:30 am-9:30 am Cold Stocking (2)
3:30 pm- 5:00 pm MOFB Order Unload (3)

Tuesday, February 13

8:30 am- 10:30 am Drive-Thru (3)
10:00 am- 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (6)

Wednesday, February 14

1:00 pm- 2:00 pm MOFB Shop-Thru (1)

Thursday, February 15

8:30 am- 10:30 am Drive Thru (4)
10:00 am- 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (1)

Friday, February 16

9:30 am- 10:30 am Cold Stocking Shift (2)
11:00 am- 12:30 pm Shop & Stock (5)

Sign up to Volunteer

News

Social Media This Week

Here’s what you may have missed this week! To see regular updates, follow us on

Instagram @heart_to_heart_food_pantry
Facebook @hearttoheartpantry

SOUPerbowl Sunday February 11

Heart to Heart is holding a soup drive during all worship services Sunday! Look for the volunteer quarterbacks at collection sites outside at both locations to drop off your donations of shelf-stable soup. We especially appreciate donations of hearty soups that serve as a whole meal, such as: beef vegetable, chicken and rice, Italian wedding, etc. For a $5 donation (cash or check), you can become the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind soup bowl or mug decorated by students at First Community Church in the Midweek Mission (K-8) and Crossroads (8-12) programs.

Holiday Closing

Mark your calendar! We will be closed on Monday, February 19 in observance of President’s Day. Click the image below for a complete list of 2024 closings.

Volunteer Appreciation & Award Dinner

Thank you to everyone who joined us Tuesday evening. We were so happy to celebrate with you! Thank you to Steven’s Catering for donating a fantastic meal. Click the button below for a PDF of our slideshow presentation. We have added some of the spoken commentary to the slides, but we can’t possibly capture the fun vibes of the night.

Volunteer of the Month

Congratulations to Nora Ginnan, February’s Volunteer of the Month. Click here to read more.

Welcome OSU Students

Please welcome the new class of OSU Semester of Service students: Audrey Odier, Emily Wang, and Grace Bates.

Monthly Statistics

PUPdate January 2024

Volunteer Training Opportunities

Mid-Ohio Food Collective Trainings

The Mid-Ohio Food Collective offers regular training opportunities for food pantry staff and volunteers. Trainings on FreshTrak and Food Safety will help you learn more about pantry operations and make you an even more effective volunteer! They also occasionally offer training on advocacy, and other topics that may be of interest to you.

For most trainings, volunteers will need to register with an agency name and number: Heart to Heart Agency #1042

Register Online at MOFC Agency360

Advocacy 101

Join the Conversation

MOFC’s Government Relations Team- Tim White and Hallie Carrino-Lee will host an open forum to discuss the State Budget and its effects on essential programs and benefits for your customers.

Explore ways to push back and advocate against the continued assault on SNAP and othe Hinger/Feeding issues and what’s happening on Capitol Hill.

Bring your questions and prepare to engage! Registration is required. This session of Advocacy will be held via ZOOM.

Thu, Feb 22 at 10 am

FreshTrak Basic Training

(FKA PantryTrak)

This online via zoom workshop will provide the fundamentals to get started with FreshTrak at your agency. Participants with learn how to administer the intake process using FreshTrak and will be guided on best practices for developing an efficient process in registering your clients. For agencies already using FreshTrak, this workshop will be helpful as a refresher of the basics.

Questions? Contact Ann Miller-Tobin at amillertobin@mofc.org

The following dates and times are available:

Tue, Feb 20 at 2 pm
Thu, Mar 14 at 10 am

February 8, 2024

Love0

January 2024 Stats

By Amanda BroffordStatistics

Service Statistics

Households Served 762
- Families Served by Drive-Thru Pantry 524
- Families Served by Pop-Up Pantry 238
Individuals Served 2,523
- Seniors Served 290
- Adults Served 1,317
- Children Served 916
Meals Served 22,698

Incoming Materials (in pounds)

First Community Church 3,302
Giant Eagle 2,849
Marc’s 416
Mid-Ohio Foodbank 21,626 (total weight)
- Shop Thru weight 12,874
- Order weight 8,752
- Total Cost $2,509.20
Penzey’s Spices 115

February 3, 2024

Love0

February 2, 2024

By Amy CaskieWeekly Update

Weekly Update

Statistics

Drive-Thru Households Served

54 on Tuesday, January 30
69 on Thursday, February 1

Pop-Up Households Served

40 on Wednesday, January 31

Volunteers Needed

Monday, February 5

8:30 am-9:30 am Cold Stocking (2)

Tuesday, February 6

8:30 am- 10:30 am Drive-Thru (6)
10:00 am- 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (7)

Wednesday, February 7

1:00 pm- 2:00 pm MOFB Shop-Thru (1)

Thursday, February 8

8:30 am- 10:30 am Drive Thru (5)
10:00 am- 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (2)

Friday, February 9

9:30 am- 10:30 am Cold Stocking Shift (2)

Sign up to Volunteer

News

Social Media This Week

Here’s what you may have missed this week! To see regular updates, follow us on

Instagram @heart_to_heart_food_pantry
Facebook @hearttoheartpantry

SOUPerbowl Sunday February 11

Heart to Heart is holding a soup drive during all worship services Sunday! Look for the volunteer quarterbacks at collection sites outside at both locations to drop off your donations of shelf-stable soup. We especially appreciate donations of hearty soups that serve as a whole meal, such as: beef vegetable, chicken and rice, Italian wedding, etc. For a $5 donation (cash or check), you can become the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind soup bowl or mug decorated by students at First Community Church in the Midweek Mission (K-8) and Crossroads (8-12) programs.

Volunteer Training Opportunities

Mid-Ohio Food Collective Trainings

The Mid-Ohio Food Collective offers regular training opportunities for food pantry staff and volunteers. Trainings on FreshTrak and Food Safety will help you learn more about pantry operations and make you an even more effective volunteer! They also occasionally offer training on advocacy, and other topics that may be of interest to you.

For most trainings, volunteers will need to register with an agency name and number: Heart to Heart Agency #1042

Register Online at MOFC Agency360

MOFC Food Safety Training

Level 1 Person In Charge

This training was developed by Feeding America and ServSafe for those who partner with foodbanks and is relevant to the work you are doing in your communities.

The course is online, at no-cost to your agency and once taken and successfully passed, the certification never expires for the person who takes the training!

Questions? Contact Ann Miller-Tobin at amillertobin@mofc.org

The following dates and times are available:

Mon, Feb 5, 10 am to 12 pm

Advocacy 101

Join the Conversation

MOFC’s Government Relations Team- Tim White and Hallie Carrino-Lee will host an open forum to discuss the State Budget and its effects on essential programs and benefits for your customers.

Explore ways to push back and advocate against the continued assault on SNAP and othe Hinger/Feeding issues and what’s happening on Capitol Hill.

Bring your questions and prepare to engage! Registration is required. This session of Advocacy will be held via ZOOM.

Thu, Feb 22 at 10 am

FreshTrak Basic Training

(FKA PantryTrak)

This online via zoom workshop will provide the fundamentals to get started with FreshTrak at your agency. Participants with learn how to administer the intake process using FreshTrak and will be guided on best practices for developing an efficient process in registering your clients. For agencies already using FreshTrak, this workshop will be helpful as a refresher of the basics.

Questions? Contact Ann Miller-Tobin at amillertobin@mofc.org

The following dates and times are available:

Tue, Feb 20 at 2 pm
Thu, Mar 21 at 10 am

February 2, 2024

Love0