Food For Thought

Empty out those piggy banks!  Join us in supporting Food For Thought by participating in Penny Wars and collecting coins for a cause.  We tried it in November when we discovered that Michigan fans are much more generous than Ohio State fans.  Let’s see which Super Bowl team will win this time. 

It’s healthy competition to help our brothers and sisters in need.

 
 
The concept is very simple:

You can compete as individuals or teams.
Collect pennies (or nickels, dimes, quarters, Susan B. Anthony’s) in decorated containers.
The contest can last as long as you like – one day to one month.
At the end of the contest, whoever collects the most money wins.

There is one catch–Participants can deposit paper money into the opposing team’s container which negates the corresponding coins in that jar.  In other words, if I put one dollar into team A’s container, one dollar is subtracted from their coinage total.

When we had the OSU/UM penny wars at my office, the dollar bills were flying as competitors were trying to take down their opponent’s totals. 

Sounds like fun, huh?

If you’re interested, join us by sending an e-mail, and let us know about your participation.  Take lots of pictures and e-mail them to us for inclusion on our Facebook  page.

Here’s a handy flyer to distribute to all your family and friends to initiate their own penny wars program.

May the best team win!

Did you know we have a store where you can purchase Food For Thought merchandise?   A portion of the proceeds help fund our mission to feed others throughout the Toledo area. 

http://www.cafepress.com/ffttoledo

You can pick up something great for yourself and your loved ones, while helping many others out at the same time. 

I highly recommend the messenger bag–perfect to carry a laptop!

“You can give an hour. You could commit yourself to make a little personal goal of doing two hours a month or five days a week, or whatever you want to do. Anything will make a difference”

Happy New Year to all of our wonderful volunteers and supporters!  January is always such an inspiring month.  It’s a month of changes-losing 10 or 20 pounds, finally quitting smoking, deciding to spend more time with your loved ones, or to spend less money on yourself.  Wouldn’t it be something if this year’s new year’s resolution was about more?  Sometimes we look to change those things about us that seem so important-the extra holiday weight we gained, the focus on organizing rather than procrastinating.  Wouldn’t it really be something if we were to change from within-that which matters so much more?

In a time when households are tightening their budgets, the single greatest gift someone can give is their time.

I love to tell people about my role with FFT and why our mission is so important to me.  I picked up a sweet new messenger bag from our Cafepress site, and I am asked about the logo on it often.  Many times, people tell me they would love to volunteer, but they just don’t have the time.  I laugh and tell them that the amount of time they spent chatting and explaining to me that they didn’t have any time was more than enough for volunteering!  We do have positions that require a longer commitment, but there are so many things that we could use help with that require only an hour or so.  Certainly you have an hour, yes?  If you think you don’t, then consider the amount of time you spend watching American Idol every season or messing around with apps on Facebook.  Hmmmm.  I’m willing to bet that you spend at least 5 hours  a week doing those activities.  Why not resolve to spend that time with us at FFT?

We have so many excellent opportunities available and are in great need in this new year that is upon us.  We were blessed with some great temporary workers throughout the fall and winter, but now we are in need of someone to fill their shoes.  Will you?

Visit our Get Involved page and our Volunteer Opportunities to find out more.

Still want to help but didn’t see anything that sparks your interest?  Stop by our pantry during business hours, or our Friday or Saturday activities to learn more about us and find out how you can fit in.  I promise you won’t be disappointed.