Hi Folks,

Our quarterly food donation numbers always look impressive; however, they are just numbers. This quarter I’ve decided to state our quarterly results as we have in the past (see chart below) but this time, take an additional look at all of our numbers over the past 116 weeks and put a face on them, so to speak.

Based on 1.3 lbs. per meal, the total amount of the food we collected could feed 6,506 people three meals in one day. That breaks down to about 56 people each week. Since approximately 130 Miles families participate in One Can A Week each and every Sunday, two of our neighborhood families are helping feed one needy person each week.

Considering the Community Food Bank’s buying power of $9 to $1, the amount of money donated by the Miles Neighborhood is the equivalent of $48,344.04 in food and services.

It only takes one coordinator and three volunteers to collect the food. The total time spent weekly collecting and delivering the food to the Community Food Bank is approximately 7 hours.

These numbers say a lot about our neighborhood. Mostly that Miles is a bit of a paradise where caring for the needs of other is just part of our weekly routine.

Click on Chart to Enlarge

So many Pinto Beans
A Miles Street neighbor asked his friend on the way to Costco to pick up “some” Pinto Beans for he and his son. Either he forgot what it means to go to Costco or his friend wants them to become Vegan.

Twenty-five pounds of Pinto Beans for two people is a lot of Pinto Beans and since the Food Bank only takes unopened packages, our Miles neighbor decided others could benefit more from his bean bonanza.

We collected a total of 206 lbs. of food. The money we donated amounted to $38.50, $8.50 in cash and a $30.00 check.

See you Sunday.

Peter

Hi Folks,

On the 16th I received an email from Bill Carnegie, the Community Food Bank CEO talking about one motivating aspect of One Can A Week.

He wrote, “Your concept is simple, yet dramatic. Often times people feel discouraged when they hear how many men, women and children are in need.

“They don’t feel they can make a difference. Your concept allows them to make a difference for a local family in need. Every can and every dollar makes a difference.”

Bill must be clairvoyant. The next day, Thursday, I heard from Sandra Sullivan, Chair Food Pantry Transition Committee in Stanardsville, Virginia. She is charged with increasing the size for the community food bank in her area because there is such an increased need.

“We have been running a food pantry since 1995,” Sandra wrote, “and suddenly in May of 2008, two local plants shut down without notice, and the requests for food skyrocketed and hasn’t stopped since.

“Our donations have kept pace with the need, but we have outgrown the church facilities where we have operated free all of these years, and suddenly must raise money in addition to food.

“Last night I was invited to make a presentation on our several food programs to the “Domestic Divas“, a local social club that I knew nothing about until they invited me. As a group they are supporting another charity on a monthly basis, but if they each went back to their neighborhoods and started your program, that would be really exciting.

“This morning I was looking for ideas for flyers and ran across your “one can a week program”. It sounds perfect! I believe that will “catch on” in our county!”

Our One Can A Week program is in Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and now Virginia. Can’t wait to list all fifty states.

Surprising Sunday

The great thing about my Miles neighbors is they are very consistent. And then they are not. For no special reason we doubled what we normally contribute which is about 168 lbs. a week. This week we donated lots of fruit, spuds and even some garden grown onions besides a basket brimming with cans and jars and boxes.

We collected a total of 356 lbs. of food, including 42 lbs. from The Axis Food Mart. The money we donated amounted to $32.50, $12.50 in cash and a $30.00 check.

See you Sunday,

Peter 

Hi Folks,

Emy Sladek’s little boy Teak just helped his family deliver their One Can A Week neighborhood food donation to the Desert Mission Food Bank in Phoenix.

Teaching Kids To Be Grateful
Remember Phoebe Fox? She lives in Phoenix and started a One Can A Week program in her neighborhood some time ago. Recently she added to her success by encouraging her friend Emy to help feed hungry folks also.

Today I got an email from Emy who began One Can A Week five weeks ago. She is collecting food from her neighbors and educating them at the same time on the many programs and aspects of the Desert Mission Food Bank. It sounds so fresh, too, because she is just reporting back on what she just learned.

“Hi all!
We had a really awesome first trip to the Desert Mission Food Bank yesterday! After 4 weeks collecting “One Can A Week” I’m proud to announce that our little 13th Pl contributed 41 lbs of canned goods!

“After weighing our donation the director took us on a tour and explained how things work there. I was so impressed! It’s really a nice set up, very clean and orderly. They have a small staff and over 75 volunteers. It was such an upbeat and cheery atmosphere! They have different programs all centered around feeding those in need with respect and dignity. I encourage you to go check out the Desert Mission Food Bank 4th Street Market.

“I also learned that they not only take canned goods, plastic bags, and citrus… but will also take any extra fresh grown garden produce and dog, cat, and bird food!”

Emy then closed her email thanking her neighbors for helping her raise her two young children, Teak and Payson.

“As parents we strive so hard to teach our kids to be grateful. To appreciate what they have and to give to others in need. Thank you for helping me instill that in my kids. And helping our community food bank! It really does mean so much!”

Once in a while I get a little discourage because One Can A Week is not growing as fast as I think it should. Then I get these terrific little emails and realize I just have to wait for those One Can A Week little guys to grow up to make things really happen.

And thumbs up to you too, Teak!

Inedible Good Stuff
Squash, bananas and lots of cans ended up in the cart this week. But we also donated Q-Tips, a bunch of dog food, shower gel and deodorant (top left). These personal items are need also so if you’re thinking of regifting something you don’t want or need, why not regift it to the food bank.

We collected a total of 172 lbs. of food. The money we donated amounted to $33.50, $8.50 in cash and a $25.00 check.

See you Sunday,
 
Peter