Weekly Update

Volunteers Needed

Please check to see when you can help, then use the button to access the Sign-Up Genius!

Monday, February 27

• 8:30am-9:30am Cold Stocking (2)

Tuesday, February 28

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

Wednesday, March 1

• 1:00-2:00pm MOFB Shop-Thru (1)

Thursday, March 2

• 8:00am-9:00am MOFB Shop-Thru (1)
• 8:30am-10:30am Drive-Thru (5)
• 10:00am-12:30pm Drive-Thru (4)

Friday, March 3

• 9:00am-10:00am Direct Retail Pickup (1)
• 9:30am-10:30am Cold Stocking (2)

Training Opportunities

The Mid-Ohio Food Collective offers regular training opportunities for food pantry staff and volunteers. For volunteers, the most useful trainings are FreshTrak and Food Safety. These trainings, specifically, 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.

Some of these classes are in person on the MOFC campus in Grove City. However, many are Zoom meetings, so you can participate from home. If you would like to take advantage of these opportunities to learn, please visit the Agency360 website for detailed information and links to sign up.

For most of the classes, you’ll need to sign up with our pantry name and ID:
Heart to Heart, Agency #1042

Upcoming Trainings

• Mar 13, 9:30am, Advocacy
• Mar 14, 2pm, FreshTrak

Volunteers Needed

Monthly Donation Drive

Pop-Up Pantry Schedule

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

February 20

Kroger Rewards

Through the Community Rewards program, Kroger makes a contribution to Heart to Heart every time you shop. In the quarter beginning November 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023 we earned $974.73 from the 264 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).

See how much your participation earned for us last quarter!

February 26

Weekly Numbers

Households served via Drive-Thru

• 42 on Tuesday, February 14
• 29 on Thursday, February 16

Households served via Pop-Up

• 39 on Wednesday, February 15

Volunteers Needed

Please check to see when you can help, then use the button to access the Sign-Up Genius!

Tuesday, February 21

• 8:30-10:30 am Drive-Thru (5)
• 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (7)

Wednesday, February 22

• 1:00 – 2:00 pm MOFB Shop-Thru (1)

Thursday, February 23

• 8:30 – 10:30 am Drive-Thru (5)
• 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (3)

Friday, February 24

• 9:30am- 10:30am Cold Stocking (2)

The March schedule is live, click below to view and sign up.

Training Opportunities

The Mid-Ohio Food Collective offers regular training opportunities for food pantry staff and volunteers. For volunteers, the most useful trainings are FreshTrak and Food Safety. These trainings, specifically, 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.

Some of these classes are in person on the MOFC campus in Grove City. However, many are Zoom meetings, so you can participate from home. If you would like to take advantage of these opportunities to learn, please visit the Agency360 website for detailed information and links to sign up.

For most of the classes, you’ll need to sign up with our pantry name and ID:
Heart to Heart, Agency #1042

Upcoming Trainings

• Feb 21, 9:30am, Better Relationships
• Mar 13, 9:30am, Advocacy
• Mar 14, 2pm, FreshTrak

Souperbowl Sunday

This Sunday, Heart to Heart food pantry is holding a soup drive during all worship services. Look for the team’s volunteer quarterbacks at collection sites out in the parking lot at both locations to drop off your donations on your way in or out. We would love hearty meal-type soups, and our Pop-Up Pantry is particularly interested in soup in pop-top cans for those without kitchens and/or can openers to use. Also, for a $5 donation (cash or check), you can become the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind soup bowl or mug! These have been lovingly decorated by First Community Church’s Midweek Mission (K-8 grade) and Crossroads (6-12 grade) students for this special occasion. Which service will donate the most soup?! Heart to Heart wins, regardless of the final score.

You’re Invited

Volunteers are the key to the success of Heart to Heart food pantry. On February 16, allow us to show our appreciation at our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Prior to the pandemic, we hosted this dinner annually, and we are so happy to bring it back! Please plan to join us at First Community North in Grace Hall for a meal and casual fellowship with one another. Yohan and Amy will provide some information during the meal, and you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss. Plan to take the night off from cooking and dishes as we turn the tables to serve you. Please RSVP below by Monday, February 13.

February 26

Weekly Numbers

Households served via Drive-Thru

• 42 on Tuesday, February 7
• 40 on Thursday, February 9

Households served via Pop-Up

• 32 on Wednesday, February 8

Volunteers Needed

Please check to see when you can help, then use the button to access the Sign-Up Genius!

Monday, February 13

• 8:30am- 9:30am Cold Stocking (1)

Tuesday, February 14

• 8:30-10:30 am Drive-Thru (4)
• 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (5)

Wednesday, February 15

• 1:00 – 2:00 pm MOFB Shop-Thru (1)

Thursday, February 16

• 8:30 – 10:30 am Drive-Thru (4)
• 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (3)

Friday, February 17

• 9:30am- 10:30am Cold Stocking (2)
• 11:00am- 12:30pm Shop & Stock (8)

Training Opportunities

The Mid-Ohio Food Collective offers regular training opportunities for food pantry staff and volunteers. For volunteers, the most useful trainings are FreshTrak and Food Safety. These trainings, specifically, 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.

Some of these classes are in person on the MOFC campus in Grove City. However, many are Zoom meetings, so you can participate from home. If you would like to take advantage of these opportunities to learn, please visit the Agency360 website for detailed information and links to sign up.

For most of the classes, you’ll need to sign up with our pantry name and ID:
Heart to Heart, Agency #1042

Upcoming Trainings

• Feb 14, 9am, FreshTrak
• Feb 21, 9:30am, Better Relationships
• Mar 13, 9:30am, Advocacy
• Mar 14, 2pm, FreshTrak

Souperbowl Sunday

February 12 Heart to Heart food pantry is holding a soup drive during all worship services. Look for the team’s volunteer quarterbacks at collection sites out in the parking lot at both locations to drop off your donations on your way in or out. We would love hearty meal-type soups, and our Pop-Up Pantry is particularly interested in soup in pop-top cans for those without kitchens and/or can openers to use. Also, for a $5 donation (cash or check), you can become the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind soup bowl or mug! These have been lovingly decorated by First Community Church’s Midweek Mission (K-8 grade) and Crossroads (6-12 grade) students for this special occasion. Which service will donate the most soup?! Heart to Heart wins, regardless of the final score.

You’re Invited

Volunteers are the key to the success of Heart to Heart food pantry. On February 16, allow us to show our appreciation at our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Prior to the pandemic, we hosted this dinner annually, and we are so happy to bring it back! Please plan to join us at First Community North in Grace Hall for a meal and casual fellowship with one another. Yohan and Amy will provide some information during the meal, and you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss. Plan to take the night off from cooking and dishes as we turn the tables to serve you. Please RSVP below by Monday, February 13.

February 26

Weekly Numbers

Households served via Drive-Thru

• 27 on Tuesday, January 31
• 24 on Thursday, February 2

Households served via Pop-Up

• 31 on Wednesday, February 1

Total individuals served in January:  1606

• Seniors (age 60+): 199
• Adults (18 – 59): 815
• Children (birth – 17): 592

Volunteers Needed

Please check to see when you can help, then use the button to access the Sign-Up Genius!

Monday, February 6

• 8:30am- 9:30am Cold Stocking (1)

Tuesday, February 7

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

Wednesday, February 8

• 1:00 – 2:00 pm MOFB Shop-Thru (1)

Thursday, February 9

• 8:30 – 10:30 am Drive-Thru (5)
• 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (4)

Training Opportunities

The Mid-Ohio Food Collective offers regular training opportunities for food pantry staff and volunteers. For volunteers, the most useful trainings are FreshTrak and Food Safety. These trainings, specifically, 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.

Some of these classes are in person on the MOFC campus in Grove City. However, many are Zoom meetings, so you can participate from home. If you would like to take advantage of these opportunities to learn, please visit the Agency360 website for detailed information and links to sign up.

For most of the classes, you’ll need to sign up with our pantry name and ID:
Heart to Heart, Agency #1042

Upcoming Trainings

• Feb 14, 9am, FreshTrak
• Feb 21, 9:30am, Better Relationships
• Mar 13, 9:30am, Advocacy
• Mar 14, 2pm, FreshTrak

Volunteers of the Month

Pop UPdate

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

• Jan 4:        Commons at Livingston – 35
• Jan 11:      Hope Resource Center – 33
• Jan 18:      Southpoint – 39
• Jan 25:      Grant – 20
• Jan 26:      Riverview International Center – 26

Pop Up 2023 Monthly totals:

• January:   153

YTD:     Individuals/families served:  153

Our Pop Up Team’s 2023 began with the loss of our volunteer Carla Edlefson’s husband, Robert Barrow.  It is times like these that we hold our team of volunteers close.  We truly count on each other for friendship, love and support.  We continue to hold Carla and her family close in our hearts and in our prayers.

We welcomed new volunteers to our Pop Up Team:  Pam and Tom Dobies, Beverley Ervine and Pam Vazsonyi.  They are a great addition to our team.

Kathleen Hatcher received a donation of socks from Jim Taranowski.  We took them to our Hope Resource Center.  Our friends and neighbors were so excited to receive them.

Our team of volunteers continue to come and give of their time and energy each month.  We are so blessed by their service and dedication.

The Pop Up Team looks forward to another year of serving our neighbors.

~Rose and Melody

Collection in Worship this Sunday

Missions Workday

This workday is now 10 am to 1:00 pm. We will be joined by OSU students.

Fundraising Event

MOFC response to SNAP benefit changes

(click image to read)

Weekly Numbers

Households served via Drive-Thru

• 40 on Tuesday, January 10
• 32 on Thursday, January 12

Households served via Pop-Up

• 33 on Wednesday, January 11

Volunteers Needed

Please check to see when you can help, then use the button to access the Sign-Up Genius!

Monday, January 16

• Heart to Heart is closed in observance of MLK Day.
• 10am – 1pm sign up for the Mission Workday

Tuesday, January 10

• 8:30-10:30 am Drive-Thru (5)
• 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (4)

Wednesday, January 11

• 1:00 – 2:00 pm MOFB Shop-Thru (1)

Thursday, January 12

• 8:00 am – 9:00 am MOFB Shop-Thru (1)
• 8:30 – 10:30 am Drive-Thru (6)
• 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (1)

Holiday Help 2022

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Kitty Rohrer. Under her leadership, Heart to Heart offered support to our clients and community members in need of help for Christmas. The Holiday Help program provided for 152 families which includes over 450 children. Kitty took well over 500 requests including phone calls and emails. The program simply would not have happened without her administration of it this past year. Thank you Kitty!

Thank You Letters

Beginning in January 2023 (for December 2022 contributions), we will send donation acknowledgement letters exclusively via email. This allows for faster delivery, better conservation of resources and stewardship of your contributions. Year-end contribution statements are sent by our Business Office in January to all church members and those who have donated over $250 throughout the year.

Reminders

Over the holidays, we often lose track of time. Understanding it can be a challenge to remember all that is going on in the new year, here’s a list of announcements from the end of last year:

• 30 Day Policy
• 2023 Holiday Closing Schedule
• Mission Workday January 16
• Save the Date for February 16

Weekly Numbers

Households served via Drive-Thru

• 41 on Tuesday, January 3
• 35 on Thursday, January 5

Households served via Pop-Up

• 35 on Wednesday, January 4

Volunteers Needed

Please check to see when you can help, then use the button to access the Sign-Up Genius!

Monday, January 9

• 8:30-9:30 am MOFB Shop Thru (1)
• 3:30-5:00pm MOFB Order Unloading (7)
• 5:00-6:30 Shop & Stock (5)

Tuesday, January 10

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

Wednesday, January 11

• 1:00 – 2:00 pm MOFB Shop-Thru (1)

Thursday, January 12

• 8:00 am – 9:00 am MOFB Shop-Thru (1)
• 8:30 – 10:30 am Drive-Thru (6)
• 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Drive-Thru (1)

Friday, January 13

• • 9:30 am – 10:30 am Cold Stocking (1)
  • 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Shop & Stock (7)

Volunteer of the Month

Happy to Help

Thanks to all our sponsors that participated in the Holiday Help program for Heart to Heart. We have received some kind responses from the families sponsored:

• “Thank you so much again for the gifts and gift cards! I seriously cannot thank you guy enough. You helped provide actual gifts for my children and I’m beyond grateful that you are helping make this an amazing Christmas for them!”
• “Thank you so much. This touched my heart. I’m so grateful for everything it means the world to me.”
• “God Bless U and your family. Appreciated”
• “Thank you very much, my dear, for the gift of the children, they became very happy and happy. Thank you from my heart, happy night to you😊”
• “Thank you so much for the gifts I received this morning my kids were soo happy with it and I was blessed too. Thank you again merry Christmas and happy new year 🎊:)”

The kindness shown obviously made a huge positive impact on these families. Thank you for your generosity.

We would like to give a special thank you to:

• Girl Scouts
• Northwest Kiwanis
• Santa’s Silent Helpers
• First Community’s Youth Program

These groups went above and beyond the call, providing gifts for several families each.

Training Opportunities

The Mid-Ohio Food Collective offers regular training opportunities for food pantry staff and volunteers. For volunteers, the most useful trainings are FreshTrak and Food Safety. These trainings, specifically, 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.

Some of these classes are in person on the MOFC campus in Grove City. However, many are Zoom meetings, so you can participate from home. If you would like to take advantage of these opportunities to learn, please visit the Agency360 website for detailed information and links to sign up.

For most of the classes, you’ll need to sign up with our pantry name and ID:
Heart to Heart, Agency #1042

Upcoming Trainings

• Jan 26, 2pm, FreshTrak
• Feb 14, 9am, FreshTrak
• Feb 21, 9:30am, Better Relationships
• Mar 13, 9:30am, Advocacy
• Mar 14, 2pm, FreshTrak

2022 Holiday Closings

Social Media this Week

Volunteer Gifts

There is no way we could possibly show our appreciation enough for all the time, love and effort you put into volunteering. However, in an attempt to provide a token of appreciation, we have a Christmas gift for each of our volunteers. I encourage you to stop by First Community South and take a gift from under the tree in the Crane Welcome Center. Pat Porterfield and Janey Ledman have been wrapping gifts over the past couple weeks!

Appreciation Dinner

Missions Workday

In January, I have planned for another Mission Workday which will require a good amount of physical labor and focus primarily on cleaning up the spaces we use among all ministries throughout the three buildings at First Community South. This will take place on MLK Day, January 16, as we planned to be closed.

Weekly Numbers

Households served via Drive-Thru

• 64 on Tuesday, December 13
• 56 on Thursday, December 15

Households served via Pop-Up

• 33 on Wednesday, December 14

Volunteers Needed

Monday, December 19

8:30am – 9:30am  Cold Stocking (1)

2:45pm-3:45pm MOFB Holiday Produce Pickup (1)

Tuesday, December 20

8:30am – 10:30am Drive-Thru (1)

10:00am – 12:30pm Drive-Thru (2)

Wednesday, December 21

1:00pm – 2:00pm Mid-Ohio Foodbank Shop-Thru (1)

Thursday, December 22

8:30am – 10:30am Drive-Thru (1)

Friday, December 23

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

Donation Match

As of this past weekend, we have officially surpassed our goal of a $20,000 match campaign! For the eighth year running, Jill and Duke Thomas have graciously made this matching pledge to support our mission to respond to God’s commandment to love one another. Heart to Heart began serving the community in 1986, and still exists today thanks to the foundation laid by its task force and early leaders, including Jill. We are eternally grateful for the Thomas family’s ongoing support of our mission.

Sponsors Needed

Heart to Heart has been overwhelmed with calls requesting sponsorship for Christmas gifts. About 35 families still need sponsors. Please consider sponsoring one or more families through the purchase of Christmas gifts. We encourage group sponsorships. For instance, your guild, book club, or department at work can combine resources to provide support for an entire family. If you can sponsor a family, please email Kitty Rohrer kfrohrer@gmail.com with your contact details. More details about how the program operates are available at h2h.FCchurch.com/christmas2022.

2022 Holiday Closings

Communication

• Are you getting our weekly “Full Pantry, Full Hearts” email? If not, please click here to change your email settings. This reflection email is written by Yohan each week and includes news and highlights from the previous week.
• That email also includes a link to our weekly blog “Heart to Heart Happenings”. This blog is written by Amy weekly and covers the administrative and business aspects of the food pantry. New policies, statistics, volunteer needs, etc. are all contained in this weekly post.
• Are you following us on social media: Facebook or Instagram? This is a good way to get immediate news. As cold weather approaches, this is the fastest way to check if Heart to Heart is closed for inclement weather. View the weather policy here.
• Did you get Amy’s “December News” email on Tuesday, December 6? Click the button below to read it.

Volunteer Gifts

There is no way we could possibly show our appreciation enough for all the time, love and effort you put into volunteering. However, in an attempt to provide a token of appreciation, we have a Christmas gift for each of our volunteers. I encourage you to stop by First Community South and take a gift from under the tree in the Crane Welcome Center. Pat Porterfield and Janey Ledman have been wrapping gifts over the past couple weeks!

Missions Workday

In January, I have planned for another Mission Workday which will require a good amount of physical labor and focus primarily on cleaning up the spaces we use among all ministries throughout the three buildings at First Community South. This will take place on MLK Day, January 16, as we planned to be closed.

Weekly Numbers

Households served via Drive-Thru

• 59 on Tuesday, December 6
• 63 on Thursday, December 8

Households served via Pop-Up

• 35 on Wednesday, December 7

Volunteers Needed

Monday, December 12

8:30am – 9:30am  Cold Stocking (1)

3:30pm – 5:00pm MOFB Truck Order Unload (7)

Tuesday, December 13

8:30am – 10:30am Drive-Thru (1)

10:00am – 12:30pm Drive-Thru (3)

Wednesday, December 14

1:00pm – 2:00pm Mid-Ohio Foodbank Shop-Thru (1)

Thursday, December 15

8:30am – 10:30am Drive-Thru (1)

Friday, December 16

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

Donation Match

All financial contributions made to Heart to Heart from November 1 through December 31 will be matched up to $20,000. As of Monday, we have raised $17,950. With the increase in both demand and cost of food in recent months, the food pantry needs additional financial resources more than ever. Please know that your doubled donation will be doubly appreciated this year! We are grateful to Jill and Duke Thomas for their support through this matching grant.

Sponsors Needed

Heart to Heart has been overwhelmed with calls requesting sponsorship for Christmas gifts. In fact, we received so many inquiries that we are no longer accepting requests for sponsorship- but we still need sponsors!  60 families still need sponsors. Please consider sponsoring one or more families through the purchase of Christmas gifts. We encourage group sponsorships. For instance, your guild, book club, or department at work can combine resources to provide support for an entire family. The Christmas shopping season is about to begin, and we would like to ensure all these families have support by December 9. If you can sponsor a family, please email Kitty Rohrer kfrohrer@gmail.com with your contact details. More details about how the program operates are available at h2h.FCchurch.com/christmas2022.

PUPdate

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

• Nov 2:      Commons at Livingston – 35
• Nov 9:       Hope Resource Center – 25
• Nov 17:     Riverview International Center – 30
• Nov 21:     Southpoint – 38
• Nov 21:     Grant – 20
• Nov 30:     Hope Resource Center – 30

Total served for the month of Nov:   178

Pop Up 2022 Monthly totals:

• January:         161
• February:       159
• March:           154
• April:              162
• May:              162
• June:              225
• July:               187
• August:           210
• September:    174
• October:         177
• November:     178

YTD:           1,949 Individuals/families served

Our Southpoint Christmas Toy Drive is off to a great start.  We continue to receive donations.  Our goal is to grant 28 families with 84 children totaling 168 gifts.  Each child will receive two gifts.  We are so thankful to have Wickliffe Progressive Elementary School, FCC congregation and our family and friends all help make the wishes of Southpoint children come true.

We served our neighbors at HOPE Resource Center at their new location this month.  They are now housed at First United Brethren Church on S. Wheatland Ave.  Their hours are M, W, F 9:30-12:30.  Now our neighbors have a place to sit inside and eat a meal, receive clothing, mats and our pantry food.  We were able to spend time and visit with our new friends.

Our Pop Up Team is grateful for some cake donations from Mary Youngquist.  She sends some to us that we give to our sites.  There are blessings all around us.

Melody and I are continually blessed to have the support of First Community/Heart to Heart Staff and all the dedicated volunteers who give so much of their time and energy.

Serving in Faith,

Rose and Melody

Social Media

Weekly Numbers

Households served via Drive-Thru

• 72 on Tuesday, November 22
• 46 on Tuesday, November 29
• 53 on Thursday, December 1

Households served via Pop-Up

• 58 on Monday, November 21
• 30 on Wednesday, November 30

Volunteers Needed

Tuesday, December 6

8:30am – 10:30am Drive-Thru (3)

10:00am – 12:30pm Drive-Thru (4)

Wednesday, December 7

1:00pm – 2:00pm Mid-Ohio Foodbank Shop-Thru (1)

Thursday, December 8

8:30am – 10:30am Drive-Thru (3)

10:00am – 12:30pm Drive-Thru (4)

Friday, December 9

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

9:30am – 10:30am Cold Stocking (2)

Donation Match

All financial contributions made to Heart to Heart from November 1 through December 31 will be matched up to $20,000. As of Thursday, we have raised $14,627.25. With the increase in both demand and cost of food in recent months, the food pantry needs additional financial resources more than ever. Please know that your doubled donation will be doubly appreciated this year! We are grateful to Jill and Duke Thomas for their support through this matching grant.

Sponsors Needed

Heart to Heart has been overwhelmed with calls requesting sponsorship for Christmas gifts. In fact, we received so many inquiries that we are no longer accepting requests for sponsorship- but we still need sponsors! As of now, there are about 70 families that need sponsors. Please consider sponsoring one or more families through the purchase of Christmas gifts. We encourage group sponsorships. For instance, your guild, book club, or department at work can combine resources to provide support for an entire family. The Christmas shopping season is about to begin, and we would like to ensure all these families have support by December 9. If you can sponsor a family, please email Kitty Rohrer kfrohrer@gmail.com with your contact details. More details about how the program operates are available at h2h.FCchurch.com/christmas2022.

Weekly Numbers

Households served via Drive-Thru

• 75 on Tuesday, November 15
• 62 on Thursday, November 17

Households served via Pop-Up

• 30 on Thursday, November 17

Volunteers

Sunday, November 20

11:00 am – 4:00 pm Missions Workday (14) Click here.

Monday, November 21

3:30 – 5:00 pm Stock Food Drive Donations (5)

Thank You Deacons

Thank You Volunteers

Thank You Donors

Volunteer of the Month