Weekly Update
Statistics
Client Visits
- 68 in Drive-Thru on Tue, Dec 10
- 39 at Pop-Up Pantry on Wed, Dec 11
- 72 in Drive-Thru on Thu, Dec 12
- 32 New Families last week
- 94 in Drive-Thru on Tue, Dec 17
- 72 in Drive-Thru on Thu, Dec 19
- 20 New Families this week
Volunteers Needed
We are closed the weeks of December 23 and December 31, but you can now sign up for January volunteer slots. We will need volunteers beginning Monday, January 6 when we reopen. Click the button below to sign up. See you next year!
Holiday Hours
Heart to Heart is now closed through January 3. We are unable to accept donations while we are closed. Those looking for food assistance during this time should visit FreshTrak.com for pantry listings and hours.
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News
Donation Calendar 2025
Heart to Heart will continue to collect donations once a month during First Community’s worship services. We welcome your contributions of unopened, non-expired, self-stable food, personal care, pet food, and baby care items anytime. If you’re looking for inspiration, please consider this list of our donation drives themes for the year. Each month, we will focus on collecting a single food or category of items. You can bring your donations with you to worship services on the Sundays listed below, and you will find our dedicated volunteers waiting to take your donations outside. We are grateful to Becky and Susan for volunteering to collect donations on these Sundays!
The Christmas Kindness Project
Thank You!
This year, 20 Heart to Heart client families were supported through The Christmas Kindness Project, allowing them to provide gifts to their children this holiday season. 83 children were supported with the donation of 332 gifts in total. Countless hours were spent interviewing clients, prepping materials, then collecting, storing, sorting and bagging all the gifts. 14 thankful families visited First Community on Thursday evening or Friday afternoon to pickup gifts. Four volunteers delivered gifts to the remaining six families, all in time for Christmas! We are immensely grateful to all the donors and volunteers that made it happen!
Volunteer Covenant
We agree to foster a welcoming culture of kindness and respect that upholds the worth and dignity of every person, striving to listen with empathy, and use teamwork to carry out the mission and vision of Heart to Heart.
Volunteer Responsibilities
As the new year begins, we renew our efforts to maintain compliance and safety. We remind you of the responsibilities required of Heart to Heart volunteers, including completion of minor waivers (annual), Civil Rights Training (annual), and Darkness to Light sexual abuse prevention training (every 3 years). It is also a good time to review the First Community Minor Code of Conduct (Code of Conduct Graphic). Help us do the prep work that breathes life into the Volunteer Covenant, fostering a welcoming culture both for our neighbors and all those who serve alongside us.
Sexual Abuse Prevention Training
Darkness to Light
In January 2016, First Community Church and Akita staff made a commitment to protecting all children from abuse by offering training in the nationally recognized sexual abuse prevention program, Darkness to Light. First Community staff, whether they work with children or not and volunteers who work with children are required to attend a Darkness to Light sexual abuse prevention training. Re-certification for staff and volunteers who work with children is required every three years.
On October 23, 2024 this announcement regarding the training was sent to all existing volunteers. Beginning in January 2025, all Heart to Heart volunteers are required to have completed this training. New volunteers will be allowed to participate in Heart to Heart activities until the next available in-person training. For instance, an individual volunteering for the first time on January 6 will be allowed to participate until the in-person training offered on February 18. At that point, if they have not completed the training course in person or online, they will be asked to refrain from volunteering until their training is completed.
Darkness to Light Training
Several opportunities to take the training program will be offered in 2025. Click the button below to register for the first no-cost in-person training of 2025.
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
6:30-9 pm
First Community North
Wing Grace Hall
You do not have to be an existing Heart to Heart volunteer to take the training. Further opportunities for in-person sessions will be made available in 2025, as instructor availability allows. If you are unable to do the free in-person training, you can take the training online for $16. Once your training is complete, forward your certificate of completion to us to be recorded.
If you have been affected by abuse and are emotionally unable to take the training, please reach out to Rev. John Girard . Your discussion will remain confidential.
Mid-Ohio Food Collective Trainings
Returning in 2025
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. Check MOFC’s Agency 360 page for details and links to register. For most trainings, volunteers will need to register with an agency name and number: Heart to Heart Agency #1042. 2025 training dates are coming soon!
Social Media
Make sure you are following the Heart to Heart on both Facebook and Instagram. Social media is one of the best ways for the world to share information! Every time you like or comment on one of our posts, it promotes engagement across the platform. When you share our posts, the information is immediately visible to those in your circle! It quickly helps spread our message- whether it be resource information, a plea for donations, or a volunteer opportunity. Sharing on social media is an easy way to support our mission. Check out these posts from the past week to see what you may have missed.
