Weekly Update
Service Statistics
Households served via Drive-Thru
- 72 on Tuesday, June 7
- 52 on Thursday, June 9
Households served via Pop-Up
- 39 on Wednesday, June 8
Update from Mid-Ohio Food Collective
As costs continue to rise, and supply chain issues persist, it seems everyone is tightening their belts. Many volunteers have noticed a less variety and availability of items from Mid-Ohio Foodbank (MOFB), and we have seen a decline in material donations from our direct retail partners. MOFB addressed the issue in a letter directed to their partner agencies, including Heart to Heart. Click below to read the response.
Looking Forward
Last week, our Heart to Heart Task Force met with guest Dr. Glen Miles to discuss the facilities recommendation that was released in March by the Strategic Planning Committee at First Community Church. While the recommendation includes relocation of Heart to Heart, we are reminded that a recommendation is not a plan. Dr. Miles encouraged our team to take this as an opportunity to imagine our ideal food pantry, and plan for the future with an open mind. At this point, only one thing is for sure: we will continue to operate as we are now, using space in both the main church and annex buildings, until a plan is made for relocation. That being said, we can imagine there are many questions about how the process will unfold and the timeframe.
We want to give everyone the opportunity to ask questions and imagine an ideal future. While Heart to Heart staff will not be responding directly to all questions and comments received on this form, we will be sure to read each of them. We will then review them, looking for common themes, and compile the most frequent and urgent questions. These will then be given back to Dr. Miles to take to the Strategic Planning Committee.
We cannot express enough how vital our volunteers are to this mission. Your questions and suggestions are necessary as we move forward with making changes at Heart to Heart. While we ask you to keep your responses concise for the purposes of this questionnaire, we understand that there is more conversation to be had, more dreaming to be done and a lot of work ahead of us! If you have any questions about this questionnaire, please email hearttoheart@fcchurch.com
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Next Week
We still need help with some shifts next week. The number of volunteers needed is indicated in parathesis after the shift time and description.
Monday, June 13
8:45 – 9:30 am Cold Stocking (1)
9:30 – 10:30 am Mid-Ohio Foodbank Shop Thru (1)
Tuesday, June 14
8:00 – 9:00 am Mid-Ohio Foodbank Shop Thru (1)
8:30 – 10:30 am Drive-Thru (3)
10:00 – 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (2)
Wednesday, June 15
1:00 – 2:00 pm Mid-Ohio Foodbank Shop Thru (1)
5:00 – 6:30 pm Shop & Stocking (1)
Thursday, June 16
8:00 – 9:00 am Mid-Ohio Foodbank Shop Thru (1)
8:30 – 10:30 am Drive-Thru (5)
10:00 am – 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (5)
Friday, June 17
9:00 – 10:00 am Direct Retail Pickups (2)
9:30 – 10:30 am Preshop Shift (1)
New Volunteer Opportunity
We are looking for a volunteer, preferably a social worker or someone with similar experience. This person would join our existing team of resource callers that answer voicemails from those looking for additional financial assistance. Requests include assistance for rent/house payments, utilities, medical bills, etc. Our team refers these clients to programs that fit their specific needs and have funding available, and helps them pursue the next step.
The group currently consists of volunteers Kitty Rohrer, Lynn Snowden, and April Bryant. They take turns checking the voicemail and returning calls for 2-3 weeks at a time. All three of these dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers have been in this role for years. They share expertise and news with one another regarding these resources, so the entire team can provide the best service to our community.
Kitty coordinates the schedule, and would be happy to discuss this opportunity with you, should you be interested. Click here to send Kitty an email.
Training Classes
Ohio Benefits Training
Participants in this training will gain a better understanding of ways to connect eligible individuals to SNAP Benefits, including the ability to pre-screen and use Ohio Benefits Self Service Portal. Participants will be able to determine the right outreach strategy for their agency.
- Participants will discuss ways to connect clients to social Benefits such as SNAP/Medicaid/ and OWF.
- Participants will take away how to submit SNAP/ Medicaid/ OWF benefits using Ohio Benefits Self Service Portal.
- Best tips and tricks in navigating common barriers to assisting individuals.
Ohio Benefits Training
June 30, 10 am
Visit mofc.org/agency-360 for registration information
Darkness to Light
This training class is provided by Nationwide Children’s Hosptial. Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children is an evidence-informed prevention solution that increases knowledge, improves attitudes, and changes child protective behaciors. The training combines two 45 minute video sessions filled with real people and real stores along with a 30-minute virtual discussion about protecting children. During the discussion, you’ll receive a list of local resources to support healthy, happy kids.
Stewards of Children
June 18, 10 am – 12:30 pm
Visit FamilySafetyandHealing.org for registration information
Food Safety Training
The next Food Safety – Person In Charge training will be hosted by Agency360 via Zoom in September. By the end of this course, you will be able to:
* Identify food safety risks
* Take appropriate action when someone has symptoms of foodborne illness or is diagnosed with a reportable disease
* Follow good personal hygiene and hand care practices
* Identify cross-contamination risks and methods for prevention
* Implement effective cleaning and sanitizing procedures
* Identify appropriate pest prevention measures and signs of pest infestations
* Maintain facilities and equipment in compliance with regulations
You may also choose to take the training online through ServSafe for $22 or State Food Safety for $12.
Once you complete the training, email us a copy of your certificate which ensures you attended the training and passed all the required quizzes and tests associated with the class.
Food Safety – Person In Charge
September 8th at 10am via Zoom
Visit mofc.org/agency-360 for registration information.
And what does the Lord
require of you
But to do justice,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly
with your God?
Micah 6:8 NKJ
Our mission at Heart to Heart is to respond to God’s commandment to love one another.
Our vision of Heart to Heart is to model God’s love by:
Cultivating a loving community
Honoring individual gifts
Feeding bodies and souls
…and seeing everyone as a child of God
In accordance with Federal law and U.S.D.A. policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or disability.