Households served via Drive-Thru

• Tuesday, February 16 closed due to weather
• 19 on Wednesday, February 17
• 24 on Thursday, February 18

Households served via Pop-Up Pantry

• 35 Wednesday, February 17

• Please note the time change for the truck unloading on Monday morning. We are trying it out this week and will evaluate if it works with the volunteers present.

Here are the opportunities to serve at Heart to Heart in February. Thanks for lending a hand! Click the lightbulb to sign up.

Monday, Feb. 22
6:30 am – 7:30 am Giant Eagle Pick Up
11:30 am – 1:30 pm MOFB Truck Unload (10)

Tuesday, Feb. 23
10:30 am -12:30 pm Pantry Volunteer (4)

Wednesday, Feb. 24
3:00 pm -4:30 pm Stocking (2)

Thursday, Feb. 25
10:30 am -12:30 pm Pantry Volunteer (3)

Friday, Feb. 26
10:00 am -11:30 am Stocking (4)

Unfortunately, the link provided online for the Zoom meeting on Tuesday was incorrect. While the Meeting ID in the graphic shared was accurate, the broken link prevented several volunteers from joining us online. We apologize for the error and inconvenience.

For those of you that were not able to participate, please review the Meeting Notes for the topics discussed. If you have any questions or comments, please submit them via email by clicking below.

Please join us in welcoming Yohan Kim to the Heart to Heart team. Yohan will join us part-time as a Volunteer Coordinator beginning March 1. We are grateful to have him and hope everyone gets a chance to meet him soon!

Yohan will spend the first couple of weeks on the job observing operations as they currently run. He will get to know individuals, especially those of you who volunteer with us regularly. He will work to improve volunteer communication.

To begin, Yohan will work Monday, Wednesday and Friday. His schedule is not set in stone, and will change over time as it becomes more evident when his presence is needed.

Over time, Yohan will help us develop standardized procedures for things like volunteer registration and check-in. Together, we will develop a volunteer orientation procedure. We will hold regular volunteer meetings, as we did on February 16.

Yohan is excited to get started and hoping to make some genuine improvements to the volunteer experience. We are glad he has joined our team. Thank you for your patience as he learns the ropes and gets to know everyone. This is a new position for Heart to Heart and it will take some time for things to get settled.

We are asking all volunteers to review our COVID-19 Policy. Please do not come in if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, and please give us as much notice as possible.

You can delete your name from SignUp Genius or email hearttoheart@FCchurch.com to let us know.

• We have discontinued Direct Retail Pickups from GFS and Target.
  • Target times were inconvenient and often the product we received was not usable. These donations have been taken over by Christ N Us Ministries OCC, with whom Heart to Heart has previously worked.
  • GFS donations were in serving sizes too large for our clients to take. They have been redirected to a chef that volunteers to cook meals for those in need.
• A donor has offered a regular monthly donation of a large amount of meat. We are researching how we will receive and store this meat on a regular basis. A refrigerated truck was considered but was determined to be too expensive. We are also looking into whether or not they’d be able to donate fish instead of beef or pork. Several of our clients do not eat pork or beef.
• A small task force has been formed to discuss the future challenges facing Heart to Heart. This task force will raise questions to be addressed by the church’s Strategic Planning group.
  • It is obvious we have outgrown the space inside the Annex to operate Heart to Heart in the future. The task force will investigate future locations and improvements that need to be made to accommodate changes.
  • As we resume outdoor operations in the warmer weather, the task force will evaluate what does and does not work. Processes will be evaluated and revised as necessary.
• The Refugee Task Force has started a Pop-Up Pantry using the existing group’s model. They will provide groceries to the Riverview International Center on the second Friday of every month. This past Friday, they served 20 families.
• Yohan Kim introduced himself as our new part-time Volunteer Coordinator (see “Welcome Yohan”).
• We discussed the new volunteer check-in procedure (see “Note to Volunteers”), and the new PPE provided to us (see below).

• All volunteers should report to the Crane Welcome Center in the main church building upon arriving.
• While there, you will sign in, take your temperature, get your PPE and read any notes for the day.
• Remember to dress appropriately for outdoor work (you will NEED a coat, hat, and gloves).
• Please sign up online. If you are unable to attend your assigned shift, let us know as soon as possible so we can fill the spot with another volunteer. You can email hearttoheart@fcchurch.com, reply to your sign up genius reminder, or leave a message at 614-488-0681 x102.
• Prior to your arrival, review the requirements/description of your volunteer activity online at h2h.fcchurch.com/volunteer-opportunities

We have been provided new PPE by Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Volunteers will have access to these materials when working at Heart to Heart.

We are asking all volunteers to double mask as they are able. If you come to volunteer with a cloth face mask, we will provide a disposable mask to wear underneath it while you are here.

Alternatively, volunteers will have access to plastic face shields. These were received unassembled through the FCEMHS program. Directions for assembly and sterilization are available at volunteer check-in, and online here.

You are eligible to enter the raffle if you have volunteered at Heart to Heart anytime in 2020 or 2021. For more information and a link to enter the raffle, click the button below.

Mid-Ohio Foodbank hosts free, online training sessions for volunteers through Agency 360. In February, they will host two PantryTrak training sessions and one Food Safety class. For more information about these opportunities and to sign up, please visit their website at midohiofoodbank.org/agency-360

PantryTrak is the online software used to log client visits and track our service statistics. Those who volunteer during client service hours may find these sessions useful.

Food Safety 101 is a certification required for all Heart to Heart employees and any volunteer that will be leading a stocking or shopping shift without an employee present.

Through the Community Rewards program, Kroger makes a contribution to Heart to Heart every time you shop. In the quarter beginning Nov 1, 2020 and ending Jan 31, 2021 we earned $1139.51 from the 268 participating households.

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

See how much your participation earned for us last quarter!

Households served via Drive-Thru

• Tuesday, February 9 closed due to weather
• 12 on Wednesday, February 10
• 31 on Thursday, February 11

Households served via Pop-Up Pantry

• Wednesday, February 10 canceled due to weather

We hold Jane Ledman close to our hearts this week, offering our deepest condolences on the loss of her husband, Jim. The Ledmans have been long-time volunteers and supporters of Heart to Heart. Please keep Jane in your prayers this week.

Wow! Thanks to our awesome crew, most of the volunteer slots for next week are full. Click the lightbulb to sign up for an available slot:

Thursday, February 18

• 10:30am – 12:30pm  Pantry Volunteer

Friday, February 19

• 9:00am – 10:00am  Starbucks Pickup
• 10:00am – 11:30am Stocking Shift

• Due to anticipated weather, and in observance of President’s Day, we will be closed this coming Monday, February 15.
• Rev. Kate will no longer be out for two weeks, as previously planned. Thank you to all the volunteers that were willing to help out in her absence. It is so wonderful to know we can count on you!

Please join us in wishing our founder a happy birthday. Jill Thomas turns 80 on Valentine’s Day. She is a wonderful woman who continues to support Heart to Heart, along with her husband, Duke. We are grateful for her continued love and guidance.

Please join us in welcoming Yohan Kim to the Heart to Heart team. Yohan will join us part-time as a Volunteer Coordinator beginning March 1. We are grateful to have him and hope everyone gets a chance to meet him soon!

We are asking all volunteers to review our COVID-19 Policy. Please do not come in if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, and please give us as much notice as possible.

You can delete your name from SignUp Genius or email hearttoheart@FCchurch.com to let us know.

We have been provided new PPE by Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Volunteers will have access to these materials when working at Heart to Heart.

We are asking all volunteers to double mask as they are able. If you come to volunteer with a cloth face mask, we will provide a disposable mask to wear underneath it while you are here.

Alternatively, volunteers will have access to plastic face shields. These were received unassembled through the FCEMHS program. Directions for assembly and sterilization are available at volunteer check-in, and online here.

Mid-Ohio Foodbank hosts free, online training sessions for volunteers through Agency 360. In February, they will host two PantryTrak training sessions and one Food Safety class. For more information about these opportunities and to sign up, please visit their website at midohiofoodbank.org/agency-360

PantryTrak is the online software used to log client visits and track our service statistics. Those who volunteer during client service hours may find these sessions useful.

Food Safety 101 is a certification required for all Heart to Heart employees and any volunteer that will be leading a stocking or shopping shift without an employee present.

You are eligible to enter the raffle if you have volunteered at Heart to Heart anytime in 2020 or 2021. For more information and a link to enter the raffle, click the button below.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 16 at 7 pm to join us live online. Click the link below to join the meeting next Tuesday.

• All volunteers should report to the Crane Welcome Center in the main church building upon arriving.
• While there, you will sign in, take your temperature, get your PPE and read any notes for the day.
• Remember to dress appropriately for outdoor work (you will NEED a coat, hat, and gloves).
• Please sign up online. If you are unable to attend your assigned shift, let us know as soon as possible so we can fill the spot with another volunteer. You can email hearttoheart@fcchurch.com, reply to your sign up genius reminder, or leave a message at 614-488-0681 x102.
• Prior to your arrival, review the requirements/description of your volunteer activity online at h2h.fcchurch.com/volunteer-opportunities

Households served via Drive-Thru

• # on Tuesday, February 2
• 15 on Wednesday, February 3
• 38 on Thursday, February 4

Households served via Pop-Up Pantry

• 40 on Wednesday, February 3

The Prayer Chain is a group of active church members who devote time each day to pray for those who request prayer. All prayers are held with confidentiality. Prayer requests can include as much or as little information as you wish. These prayers are held in confidence and unpublished unless requested to be shared with the pastoral care staff by the one submitting the prayer. You may also contact Robin Hood at (614) 488-0681 ext. 235. Blessings to you.

Sign up to volunteer! Remember to dress appropriately for outdoor work (you will NEED a coat, hat, and gloves). Please sign up online. We still need help during these shifts:

• Monday, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
• Wednesday, 3:00 – 4:30 pm
• Friday, 10:00 – 11:30 am

… plus several direct retail pickups throughout the week! Don’t forget we have a one-time special volunteer opportunity this Sunday for some heavy lifting!

We are asking all volunteers to review our COVID-19 Policy. Please do not come in if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, and please give us as much notice as possible.

You can delete your name from SignUp Genius or email hearttoheart@FCchurch.com to let us know.

Households served via Pop-Up Pantry

• 34 on Wednesday, January 20

The Prayer Chain is a group of active church members who devote time each day to pray for those who request prayer. All prayers are held with confidentiality. Prayer requests can include as much or as little information as you wish. These prayers are held in confidence and unpublished unless requested to be shared with the pastoral care staff by the one submitting the prayer. You may also contact Robin Hood at (614) 488-0681 ext. 235. Blessings to you.

Sign up to volunteer! Remember to dress appropriately for outdoor work. Please sign up online. We still need help during these shifts:

• Monday, 12:00 – 3:00 pm!
• Tuesday, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Wednesday, 9 am – 10:30 am
• Friday, 10 am – 11:30 am

… plus several direct retail pickups throughout the week! Additionally, the February schedule is posted on Sign Up Genius.

We are asking all volunteers to review our COVID-19 Policy. Please do not come in if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, and please give us as much notice as possible.

You can delete your name from SignUp Genius or email hearttoheart@FCchurch.com to let us know.

Click to expand

Click to expand

Food Safety 101

Person In Charge/Food Handlers training is now available virtually and is as good as in-person. You will be able to see, hear, and talk to the instructor. Have all your questions answered in real face-time! All agencies are required to be certified once every 3 years. Now is a good time to check and see if your certification is up to date, or will it need to be renewed sometime this year? Virtual Food Safety is a terrific option especially during this time when we are not hosting in-person training’s through the Agency 360 program due to Stay At Home conditions and Social Distancing.

We have teamed up with the OSU Extension office of Belmont County who previously has hosted Food Safety classes for our eastern agencies. With virtual training, all partners who require Food Safety 101, in all counties are able to participate.

Once you have registered you will be sent the link for the Zoom meeting approximately 48 hours prior to the training session. Please make sure you register with your name, email address, and phone number as well as your Agency Name and ID Number (Heart to Heart #1042).

At this time there is no registration fee to attend – FREE! Space is limited. No more than 35 individuals may register. Click below to Register for Food Safety Register now for Wednesday, January 27, 1 pm to 3 pm.

Pantry Trak

This workshop will provide the fundamentals to get started with Pantry Trak at your agency. Participants will learn how to administer the intake process using Pantry Trak and will be guided on best practices for developing an efficient process in registering your clients.

For agencies already using Pantry Trak, this workshop will be helpful as a refresher of the basics. Each session will be led by Tammy Tucker, Agency Relations Manager – Agency Services, Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Training will be held virtually via ZOOM. Please use the link below to register for either date. Please choose only one session.

Once you have registered you will be sent the link for the Zoom meeting approximately 48 hours prior to the training session. Please make sure you register with your name, email address, and phone number as well as your Agency Name and ID Number (Heart to Heart #1042).

At this time there is no registration fee to attend – FREE! Space is limited. No more than 35 individuals may register. Click below to register for Monday, January 25, 9:30 am to 11 am

Households served in the drive-thru daily

• 36 on Tuesday, January 12
• 17 on Wednesday, January 13
• 47 on Thursday, January 14

Households served via Pop-Up Pantry

• 40 on Wednesday, January 13

The Prayer Chain is a group of active church members who devote time each day to pray for those who request prayer. All prayers are held with confidentiality. Prayer requests can include as much or as little information as you wish. These prayers are held in confidence and unpublished unless requested to be shared with the pastoral care staff by the one submitting the prayer. You may also contact Robin Hood at (614) 488-0681 ext. 235. Blessings to you.

Sign up to volunteer! Remember to dress appropriately for outdoor work. Please sign up online. We still need help during these shifts:

• Tuesday, 8:30 am – 10:30 am
• Tuesday, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Wednesday, 9 am – 10:30 am
• Wednesday, 3 pm– 4:30 pm
• Thursday, 8:30 am – 10:30 am
• Thursday, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Friday, 10 am – 11:30 am

… plus several direct retail pickups throughout the week! Additionally, the February schedule is posted on Sign Up Genius.

We are asking all volunteers to review our COVID-19 Policy. Please do not come in if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, and please give us as much notice as possible.

You can delete your name from SignUp Genius or email hearttoheart@FCchurch.com to let us know.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 16 at 7 pm to join us live online for an All-Volunteer Meeting. A link to join the meeting will be provided via email prior to the start time.

Everyone is encouraged to get a flu shot, especially Heart to Heart volunteers. Please click the button below to find a location to receive it.

Food Safety 101

Person In Charge/Food Handlers training is now available virtually and is as good as in-person. You will be able to see, hear, and talk to the instructor. Have all your questions answered in real face-time! All agencies are required to be certified once every 3 years. Now is a good time to check and see if your certification is up to date, or will it need to be renewed sometime this year? Virtual Food Safety is a terrific option especially during this time when we are not hosting in-person training’s through the Agency 360 program due to Stay At Home conditions and Social Distancing.

We have teamed up with the OSU Extension office of Belmont County who previously has hosted Food Safety classes for our eastern agencies. With virtual training, all partners who require Food Safety 101, in all counties are able to participate.

Once you have registered you will be sent the link for the Zoom meeting approximately 48 hours prior to the training session. Please make sure you register with your name, email address, and phone number as well as your Agency Name and ID Number (Heart to Heart #1042).

At this time there is no registration fee to attend – FREE! Space is limited. No more than 35 individuals may register. Click below to Register for Food Safety Register now for Wednesday, January 27, 1 pm to 3 pm.

Pantry Trak

This workshop will provide the fundamentals to get started with Pantry Trak at your agency. Participants will learn how to administer the intake process using Pantry Trak and will be guided on best practices for developing an efficient process in registering your clients.

For agencies already using Pantry Trak, this workshop will be helpful as a refresher of the basics. Each session will be led by Tammy Tucker, Agency Relations Manager – Agency Services, Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Training will be held virtually via ZOOM. Please use the link below to register for either date. Please choose only one session.

Once you have registered you will be sent the link for the Zoom meeting approximately 48 hours prior to the training session. Please make sure you register with your name, email address, and phone number as well as your Agency Name and ID Number (Heart to Heart #1042).

At this time there is no registration fee to attend – FREE! Space is limited. No more than 35 individuals may register. Click below to register for Monday, January 25, 9:30 am to 11 am

Households served in the drive-thru daily

• 38 on Tuesday, January 5
• 10 on Wednesday, January 6
• 25 on Thursday, January 7

Households served via Pop-Up Pantry

• 40 on Wednesday, January 6

Sign up to volunteer! Remember to dress appropriately for outdoor work.

We have a large truck delivery on Monday, January 11 and will need a large team of people to unload it! We could also use a volunteer to drive the box truck for the pick up from Mid-Ohio Foodbank. Please sign up online.

We are asking all volunteers to review our COVID-19 Policy. Please do not come in if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, and please give us as much notice as possible.

You can delete your name from SignUp Genius or email hearttoheart@FCchurch.com to let us know.

The Prayer Chain is a group of active church members who devote time each day to pray for those who request prayer. All prayers are held with confidentiality. Prayer requests can include as much or as little information as you wish. These prayers are held in confidence and unpublished unless requested to be shared with the pastoral care staff by the one submitting the prayer. You may also contact Robin Hood at (614) 488-0681 ext. 235. Blessings to you.

Happy New Year!

In December, our Pop-Up Pantry team delivered food directly to clients and their families at the following agency sites:

• December 2:   Southpoint Village Apartments-38 clients
• December 9:   Hope Recovery Services-25 clients
• December 16: Commons at Grant-25 clients

Since its start in July 2020, the Pop-Up Pantry served 748 clients and families. Totals served by month include:

•      December   88
•      November  144
•      October      151
•      September 144
•      August        123
•      July              98

This month we provided food to a new agency site, Hope Recovery Services. Hope is a new grassroots organization in the Hilltop area that serves as an outreach resource center to assist clients recovering from addiction.  The agency Director expressed much gratitude for our efforts and the opportunity for their clients to receive this food.

Our team had a productive meeting with Heart to Heart staff in December to discuss plans for expansion of the Pop-Up Pantry’s outreach initiative.  While a framework for expansion was outlined during the meeting, we recommended waiting until a later date to implement any expansion due to the current pandemic surge.

Our dedicated Pop-Up Pantry team has done an outstanding job throughout the year in planning and implementing this outreach initiative for Heart to Heart. We are grateful for their dedication and teamwork.  We look forward to the new year and the opportunity to further Heart to Heart’s ministry in helping to meet the needs of clients with food insecurity within the Columbus community.

Hats and face masks are available for all Heart to Heart volunteers!

P.S. Canine volunteers will be able to show their support shortly!

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 16 at 7 pm to join us live online for an All-Volunteer Meeting. A link to join the meeting will be provided via email prior to the start time.

Everyone is encouraged to get a flu shot, especially Heart to Heart volunteers. Please click the button below to find a location to receive it.

Food Safety 101

Person In Charge/Food Handlers training is now available virtually and is as good as in-person. You will be able to see, hear, and talk to the instructor. Have all your questions answered in real face-time! All agencies are required to be certified once every 3 years. Now is a good time to check and see if your certification is up to date, or will it need to be renewed sometime this year? Virtual Food Safety is a terrific option especially during this time when we are not hosting in-person training’s through the Agency 360 program due to Stay At Home conditions and Social Distancing.

We have teamed up with the OSU Extension office of Belmont County who previously has hosted Food Safety classes for our eastern agencies. With virtual training, all partners who require Food Safety 101, in all counties are able to participate.

Once you have registered you will be sent the link for the Zoom meeting approximately 48 hours prior to the training session. Please make sure you register with your name, email address, and phone number as well as your Agency Name and ID Number (Heart to Heart #1042).

At this time there is no registration fee to attend – FREE! Space is limited. No more than 35 individuals may register. Click below to Register for Food Safety Register now for Wednesday, January 27, 1 pm to 3 pm.

Pantry Trak

This workshop will provide the fundamentals to get started with Pantry Trak at your agency. Participants will learn how to administer the intake process using Pantry Trak and will be guided on best practices for developing an efficient process in registering your clients.

For agencies already using Pantry Trak, this workshop will be helpful as a refresher of the basics. Each session will be led by Tammy Tucker, Agency Relations Manager – Agency Services, Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Training will be held virtually via ZOOM. Please use the link below to register for either date. Please choose only one session.

Once you have registered you will be sent the link for the Zoom meeting approximately 48 hours prior to the training session. Please make sure you register with your name, email address, and phone number as well as your Agency Name and ID Number (Heart to Heart #1042).

At this time there is no registration fee to attend – FREE! Space is limited. No more than 35 individuals may register. Click below to register for one of two sessions:

• • Thursday, January 14, 4 pm to 5:30 pm
  • Monday, January 25, 9:30 am to 11 am

Households served in the drive-thru daily

• 134 on December 15
• 44 on December 16
• 75 on December 17

We will be back to work the first week of January! Remember to dress appropriately for outdoor work. Sign up online if you can volunteer this week.

We are asking all volunteers to review our COVID-19 Policy. Please do not come in if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, and please give us as much notice as possible. You can delete your name from Sign Up Genius or email hearttoheart@FCchurch.com to let us know.

We are closed for the holiday.

• We will reopen for client services on Tuesday, January 5.
• Volunteer shifts begin again Monday, January 4.

We cannot accept material donations at this time.

Please hold these and plan to deliver them on or after Monday, January 4.

Gifts are available for all Heart to Heart volunteers. If you have not yet received a gift, please see Kate or Amy when we reopen in January!

Rev. Kate Shaner will host an All-Volunteer Meeting via Zoom on December 28 at 7 pm. Everyone is encouraged to attend. Kate will update us on the changes happening at Heart to Heart and share our vision for the future. We will review volunteer expectations and responsibilities. Most importantly, many of us will get to put faces with names just by being together.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 28 at 7 pm to join us live online. The meeting invitation is linked below.

Food Safety 101

Person In Charge/Food Handlers training is now available virtually and is as good as in-person. You will be able to see, hear, and talk to the instructor. Have all your questions answered in real face-time! All agencies are required to be certified once every 3 years. Now is a good time to check and see if your certification is up to date, or will it need to be renewed sometime this year? Virtual Food Safety is a terrific option especially during this time when we are not hosting in-person training’s through the Agency 360 program due to Stay At Home conditions and Social Distancing.

We have teamed up with the OSU Extension office of Belmont County who previously has hosted Food Safety classes for our eastern agencies. With virtual training, all partners who require Food Safety 101, in all counties are able to participate.

Once you have registered you will be sent the link for the Zoom meeting approximately 48 hours prior to the training session. Please make sure you register with your name, email address, and phone number as well as your Agency Name and ID Number (Heart to Heart #1042).

At this time there is no registration fee to attend – FREE! Space is limited. No more than 35 individuals may register. Click below to Register for Food Safety Register now for Wednesday, January 27, 1 pm to 3 pm.

Pantry Trak

This workshop will provide the fundamentals to get started with Pantry Trak at your agency. Participants will learn how to administer the intake process using Pantry Trak and will be guided on best practices for developing an efficient process in registering your clients.

For agencies already using Pantry Trak, this workshop will be helpful as a refresher of the basics. Each session will be led by Tammy Tucker, Agency Relations Manager – Agency Services, Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Training will be held virtually via ZOOM. Please use the link below to register for either date. Please choose only one session.

Once you have registered you will be sent the link for the Zoom meeting approximately 48 hours prior to the training session. Please make sure you register with your name, email address, and phone number as well as your Agency Name and ID Number (Heart to Heart #1042).

At this time there is no registration fee to attend – FREE! Space is limited. No more than 35 individuals may register. Click below to register for one of two sessions:

• • Thursday, January 14, 4 pm to 5:30 pm
  • Monday, January 25, 9:30 am to 11 am

Like so many other things in 2020, we are sad to cancel our LIVE nativity on December 19. We hope to reschedule the group for a Christmas in July event!

• 38 households served on Wednesday,
  December 2 by the Pop-Up Pantry
• 52 households served on Thursday, December 3
• 52 households served on Tuesday, December 8
• households served on Wednesday, December 9
• 77 households served on Thursday, December 10

We will need extra help this week! Tuesday afternoon we need volunteers to unload the truck. Friday we will be receiving donations again from 10 am to 4 pm and we will need extra volunteers to help. Remember to dress appropriately for outdoor work. Sign up online if you can volunteer this week.

We are asking all volunteers to review our COVID-19 Policy. Please do not come in if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, and please give us as much notice as possible. You can delete your name from Sign Up Genius or email hearttoheart@FCchurch.com to let us know.

Rev. Kate Shaner will host an All-Volunteer Meeting via Zoom on December 15 at 7 pm. Everyone is encouraged to attend. Kate will update us on the changes happening at Heart to Heart and share our vision for the future. We will review volunteer expectations and responsibilities. Most importantly, many of us will get to put faces with names just by being together.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 15 at 7 pm to join us live online. The meeting invitation is linked below.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! We so appreciate the generosity of everyone that contributed to our recent overwhelming donation drive.

If you have been south you will see our corridors and spaces full of food donations!  Due to the abundance of gifts, we are asking for volunteers and staff to park on the Cambridge west side, away from our building, to keep the parking lot open for those coming to receive food/supplies Tuesday.  Plus, families dropping off preschool children need to have access closest to our building to drop off on Cambridge.

The parking lot will be one way in and out off of Cambridge.  West First Ave egress will be closed.  There will be a large loop to pick up by tents and circle around to pick up in front of the Crane Center as they head back out to Cambridge. This will continue Thursday.

The parking lot will be open Wednesday, however, in order to prepare for the evening drive through, please plan on moving your vehicles before 4 pm. Thank you for your understanding and support!

Heart to Heart will be closed for Christmas from Saturday, December 19 through Sunday, January 3

• Thursday, December 17 is the last service day of 2020
• Friday, December 18 is the last volunteer day of 2020
• Monday, January 4 is the first volunteer day of 2021
• Tuesday, January 5 is the first service day of 2021

Food Safety 101

Person In Charge/Food Handlers training is now available virtually and is as good as in-person. You will be able to see, hear, and talk to the instructor. Have all your questions answered in real face-time! All agencies are required to be certified once every 3 years. Now is a good time to check and see if your certification is up to date, or will it need to be renewed sometime this year? Virtual Food Safety is a terrific option especially during this time when we are not hosting in-person training’s through the Agency 360 program due to Stay At Home conditions and Social Distancing.

We have teamed up with the OSU Extension office of Belmont County who previously has hosted Food Safety classes for our eastern agencies. With virtual training, all partners who require Food Safety 101, in all counties are able to participate.

Once you have registered you will be sent the link for the Zoom meeting approximately 48 hours prior to the training session. Please make sure you register with your name, email address, and phone number as well as your Agency Name and ID Number (Heart to Heart #1042).

At this time there is no registration fee to attend – FREE! Space is limited. No more than 35 individuals may register. Click below to Register for Food Safety Register now for Wednesday, January 27, 1 pm to 3 pm.

Pantry Trak

This workshop will provide the fundamentals to get started with Pantry Trak at your agency. Participants will learn how to administer the intake process using Pantry Trak and will be guided on best practices for developing an efficient process in registering your clients.

For agencies already using Pantry Trak, this workshop will be helpful as a refresher of the basics. Each session will be led by Tammy Tucker, Agency Relations Manager – Agency Services, Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Training will be held virtually via ZOOM. Please use the link below to register for either date. Please choose only one session.

Once you have registered you will be sent the link for the Zoom meeting approximately 48 hours prior to the training session. Please make sure you register with your name, email address, and phone number as well as your Agency Name and ID Number (Heart to Heart #1042).

At this time there is no registration fee to attend – FREE! Space is limited. No more than 35 individuals may register. Click below to register for one of two sessions:

• • Thursday, January 14, 4 pm to 5:30 pm
  • Monday, January 25, 9:30 am to 11 am

• 10 households served on Tuesday, December 1
• 21 households served on Wednesday, December 2
• 52 households served on Thursday, December 3

We have new shifts available! Tuesday and Thursday shifts have been shortened to better serve our new hours. Some slots have been reduced in order to comply with safety regulations. Remember to dress appropriately for outdoor work. Sign up online if you can volunteer this week.

We are asking all volunteers to review our COVID-19 Policy. Please do not come in if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, and please give us as much notice as possible. You can delete your name from Sign Up Genius or email hearttoheart@FCchurch.com to let us know.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! We so appreciate the generosity of everyone that contributed to our matching donation drive this year. Though we have reached our goal of earning $20,000 to be matched by our anonymous donor, you can make donations to Heart to Heart anytime. Just go to h2h.FCchurch.com/donate

In the period beginning August 1 and ending October 31, the 260 households participating in the Kroger Rewards Program earned $1178.75 for Heart to Heart.

Through this program, First Community Missions earns more than $6000 per year which is then given to support our own food pantry, Heart to Heart. Participants in the program can sign up and re-enroll online using the link below and the organization #TB926 (First Community Church)

Heart to Heart will be closed for Christmas from Saturday, December 19 through Sunday, January 3

• Thursday, December 17 is the last service day of 2020
• Friday, December 18 is the last volunteer day of 2020
• Monday, January 4 is the first volunteer day of 2021
• Tuesday, January 5 is the first service day of 2021

Rev. Kate Shaner will host an All-Volunteer Meeting via Zoom on December 15 at 7 pm. Everyone is encouraged to attend. Kate will update us on the changes happening at Heart to Heart and share our vision for the future. We will review volunteer expectations and responsibilities. Most importantly, many of us will get to put faces with names just by being together.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 15 at 7 pm to join us live online. The meeting invitation is linked below, and we will continue to share on the blog and on social media until then.

During November, our Pop Up Pantry team continued to deliver needed food directly to clients and their families in their local communities. Food was distributed at the following agency sites:

• November 4:  Southpoint Apartments-34 clients
• November 18:  Commons at Grant-30 clients
• November 23:  Wedgewood Middle School-40 clients
• November 25:  Commons at Livingston-40 clients

The number of clients and families served monthly since the Pop Up Pantry’s inception is:

• November  144
• October      151
• September 144
• August        123
• July              98

This month one of our agency sites, The Commons at Buckingham, informed us that they were no longer able to accommodate our Pop Up Pantry due to their case manager taking on new responsibilities outside of Columbus.  As a result of this change, we did not deliver food on November 11 as planned.  In lieu of this cancellation and with the support of H2H’s leadership, we were able to add a new site for one-time food delivery to Wedgewood Elementary School on November 23.  We were grateful to be able to deliver food to the families of children who attend this school in time for Thanksgiving.

In December, we are providing food to a new agency site as part of our current weekly schedule.  Hope is a grassroots organization in the Hilltop area that serves as an outreach resource center to assist clients recovering from addiction by helping them navigate various roadblocks in moving ahead toward sobriety and greater independence.

Also in December, the Pop Up Pantry team is partnering with Wickliffe School in Upper Arlington to provide Christmas toys and gifts for children of families who reside at Southpoint Apartments, one of our supported housing agency sites.  Families have identified a “wish list” of gifts for their children and we have provided this list to Wickliffe as well as some of our Women’s Guild groups and other church members who’ve expressed an interest in helping.

To maintain safety during this time of rapid growth of COVID-19 infections, we have strongly encouraged online shopping for gifts and have made arrangements for a drive-through drop off of gifts to our team who will be delivering these to Southpoint.  In just a week’s time, almost 75% of the “wish list” of toys and gifts have been fulfilled.  We are grateful for the generosity of the students and their families at Wickliffe and our church family in providing the Southpoint families and their children with a much needed Christmas this year!

We are proud of the continued efforts and dedication of our Pop Up Pantry team in maintaining a safe working environment by bagging food outside, limiting our number of volunteers, maintaining physical distancing, wearing masks, and practicing hand hygiene.  We are also proud of the ability of our team to work together and problem-solve ways to make our bagging and delivery processes more efficient each week!

We look forward to our upcoming meeting with Heart to Heart’s leadership to discuss the expansion of the Pop Up Pantry’s outreach initiative.  We are blessed by the opportunity to further the ministry in helping to meet the needs of clients with food and financial insecurity within the Columbus community.

Like so many other things in 2020, we are sad to cancel our LIVE nativity on December 19. We hope to reschedule the group for a Christmas in July!

Food Safety 101

Person in Charge/Food Handlers training is now available virtually. As good as in-person you will be able to see, hear, and talk to the instructor. Have all your questions answered in real face-time! All agencies are required to be certified once every 3 years. Now is a good time to check and see if your certification is up to date, or will it need to be renewed sometime this year? Virtual Food Safety is a terrific option especially during this time when we are not hosting in-person training’s through the Agency 360 program due to Stay At Home conditions and Social Distancing.

We have teamed up with the OSU Extension office of Belmont County who previously has hosted Food Safety classes for our eastern agencies. With virtual training, all partners who require Food Safety 101, in all counties are able to participate.

Once you have registered you will be sent the link for the Zoom meeting approximately 48 hours prior to the training session. Please make sure you register with your name, email address, and phone number as well as your Agency Name and ID Number (Heart to Heart #1042).

At this time there is no registration fee to attend – FREE! Space is limited. No more than 35 individuals may register. Click below to Register for Food Safety Register now for Wednesday, January 27, 1 pm to 3 pm.

Pantry Trak

This workshop will provide the fundamentals to get started with Pantry Trak at your agency. Participants with learn how to administer the intake process using Pantry Trak and will be guided on best practices for developing an efficient process in registering your clients.

For agencies already using Pantry Trak, this workshop will be helpful as a refresher of the basics. Each session will be led by Tammy Tucker, Agency Relations Manager – Agency Services, Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Training will be held virtually via ZOOM. Please use the link below to register for either date. Please choose only one session.

Once you have registered you will be sent the link for the Zoom meeting approximately 48 hours prior to the training session. Please make sure you register with your name, email address, and phone number as well as your Agency Name and ID Number (Heart to Heart #1042).

At this time there is no registration fee to attend – FREE! Space is limited. No more than 35 individuals may register. Click below to register for one of two sessions:

• • Register Now for Thursday, January 14th 4:00pm to 5:30pm
  • Register Now for Monday, January 25th 9:30am to 11:00am