FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Nonprofit Appoints New Executive Director

Toledo, Ohio-August 27, 2010-Food For Thought, a local nonprofit provider of food to the area’s impoverished, has appointed Amanda Aldrich as Executive Director.

Aldrich has volunteered as the organization’s Marketing Director for the past year. Through this position, she has maintained the nonprofit’s website, written and dispersed press releases, developed social media efforts and networked with local businesses. As a member of the Board of Directors, she has played an integral part in directing marketing endeavors and increasing awareness of the organization.

Mitch Magdich, Board President, says of the transition, “I’m enthusiastic about the energy and passion that Amanda brings to Food for Thought. She has genuine compassion for the unhoused and hungry and I anticipate she will take our service to this community to the next level.”

Aldrich graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts Individualized Degree with a focus on Culture and Diversity. She brings with her a wealth of experience from the for-profit world, including a position with the marketing and communications firm, Hart Associates.

Aldrich is replacing the current Executive Director, Tana Schiewer, on September 1, 2010. Schiewer states, “I am fully confident in Amanda’s capabilities as our new Executive Director, and couldn’t be happier with her as my replacement. She will do a wonderful job safeguarding both the integrity and the unique heart of Food For Thought.”

Aldrich says of the opportunity, “I am very excited and honored to be appointed the new Executive Director of this genuine and giving group of volunteers, supporters and patrons. It is a privilege to represent such a generous and caring organization. I hope that through this position I am able to partner with other nonprofits and businesses to continue improving the lives of the impoverished in our area.”

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Nonprofit Director Resigning

TOLEDO, Ohio–August 11, 2010– The Executive Director of Food For Thought, Tana M. Schiewer, has announced her resignation.   While she will certainly be missed as such an integral part of the nonprofit, the group is appreciative of her time and dedication.

Schiewer has been a great blessing to the organization and her efforts shouldn’t go unnoticed.  In her tenure at Food For Thought, she was paramount in orchestrating a fundraising focus and raising the bar in regards to compliance.  She wrote the documents that awarded the group the OANO (Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations) Nonprofit Excellence Award, Center for Nonprofit Resources Grant as well as The Andersons Fund Grant of the Toledo Community Foundation.  In addition, she has created relationships with multiple area sponsors including Buckeye Community Health, Cherry Street Mission, Unison, The Andersons and Mercy Health Partners.  Her vision and direction have assisted the organization to grow and thrive in a difficult economic time.

“It has been a privilege and honor to lead Food For Thought for the past year,” said Schiewer.  “I have never been involved in such a unique organization. Food For Thought has changed my view of poverty and homelessness, and I count myself lucky to have been involved with such unbelievably caring and loving individuals.”

The Food For Thought Board of Directors has selected 2 finalists to replace Schiewer.  The new director will be announced in the near future.

Board President, Mitch Magdich stated “Tana has done a splendid job.  She has carried on the heart of Food for Thought by caring for and serving the unhoused and hungry in Oregon, Toledo and the surrounding community.  Additionally, her administrative skills have provided the organization with a solid financial foundation.  She will be greatly missed.”

Food For Thought is a local nonprofit organization serving Lucas County through multiple avenues.  Beginning as a small Saturday morning gathering, Food For Thought now serves sack lunches, including their famous PB&J, to around 350 unhoused individuals every Saturday morning in downtown Toledo.  Their choice pantry in Oregon provides nearly one thousand families per month with three to four bags of groceries.  Their award-winning choice mobile food pantry allows them to serve hundreds of impoverished families per month by providing a variety of food and resources to those that may not otherwise have access to a pantry.  They also believe in bridging the gap between poverty and prosperity by developing relationships with those they serve.  For more information, please visit freelunchtoledo.com.

###

We are in need of volunteers to help us paint this week!  As you may remember, a few months ago we were looking for volunteers to help scrape the old paint off of the house of one of our fellow community members.  We were successful in completing the scraping, but now it must be painted.  She is disabled and cannot do it herself.  Her neighborhood association was kind enough to donate the paint for the project, but stated that the painting must be finished by the end of July.  We need YOU to make it happen!

We will be painting on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (July 28th-31st).  We are in need of about a dozen volunteers each day to bring their able bodies and serving hearts to 3149 Elm Street in Toledo.

If you are available to paint, please bring any of the following:

• Nylon brushes:  4″ wide, 2″ wide, 1.5″ wide
• 5-6′ tall step ladders or smaller 3′ ladders
• Bottled water

We will be painting between the hours of 10AM-8PM, depending upon volunteer turnout.  Please contact Gary Shartell at 567.249.9121 with the day and time you’re available.

Due to the time constraint, this event will take place rain or shine!

If you are not available to help paint, but would like to help out, you can do so by donating bottled water or refreshments to the volunteers.  Please contact Amanda Aldrich (419.350.9175) for arrangements.

Thank you for your time and efforts.  We are a community of volunteers feeding more than the body. Help us to spread the love by supporting our neighbors in need.