Long Island Cares, Inc | The Harry Chapin Food Bank’s Post

CALLING all community non-profit and service organizations who want to be a part of the food insecurity solution by bringing a fun, interactive, community-building food drive event to your community.  While we’re all still enjoying the dog days of summer, it’s the perfect time to think about ‘Fall Fundraising’. With higher food prices and increasing shortages affecting us all, Sharecrows.org offers a creative, grassroots solution to restock community food banks by turning scarecrows into Sharecrows.  What’s a Sharecrow? A Sharecrow is a scarecrow display with a bin for collecting non-perishable food items to help restock local food banks. As communities across North America face varying degrees of food bank shortages, this is the perfect event to replenish food bank supplies. Sharecrows.org has introduced a straightforward Fall Food Drive event designed for non-profit/service organizations to host in their communities. They’ve done all the heavy event planning lifting and made it super easy for your organization to roll out. Sharecrows.org presents a triple-win opportunity for your organization to become a "Hunger Hero" and contribute to alleviating food insecurities. A win for food banks facing critical shortages. A win for the community to engage in a fun and interactive scarecrow food drive tour, fostering creativity, community building, and supporting a good cause. A win for your organization, as the funds raised can benefit local food banks and other community programs. Residents and storefront owners who register for participation commit to crafting a scarecrow, displaying it from October 20 to 31, placing a bin for non-perishable food items, and having their address on a Sharecrows Tour Map for residents to take tours, with a supply of ‘treats’ for the scarecrows along the way. As Halloween and Thanksgiving draw near, it's an ideal time for this interactive and innovative Food Drive event. Visit www.Sharecrows.org to learn more about the event and how to become part of the Sharecrows.org community. Be a Hunger Hero in your community; be a part of the solution. Secure your spot now. *All early bird members will be grandfathered into special introductory rates. For more information contact: cheryl@sharecrows.org #sharecrows.org #FallFoodDrive #FoodInsecurities #FoodBankShortages #FoodBanks #FoodDrive

As the owner of an event venue, I’ve witnessed the joy that good food brings to gatherings. However, it’s essential to remember that behind every plate is a story and resources that should never go to waste. Here’s what one can do: 1. Plan menus based on accurate guest counts.   2. Serve smaller portion sizes.   3. Donate excess food to local charities.   4. Use creative food displays.   5. Educate staff on portion control.   6. Offer take-home options for guests.   7. Incorporate seasonal ingredients.   8. Use buffet-style service.   9. Encourage guests to share plates.   10. Track food waste for future improvements. #WorldFoodDay #HappyWorldFoodDay #EventManagement #Founder #FounderInsights

Collaboration Over Competition – A Lesson from a Donut Shop* This afternoon, I walked to a local donut shop, craving a toastie and a sweet treat. When I asked how long the wait for a toastie was, they told me 10 minutes. Unfortunately, I didn’t have that long, so I ordered just the donut. Then, something unexpected happened. The owner said, "If you're in a rush, there's a bakery down the road that sells sandwiches and pastries." No hesitation, no fear of losing business—just a genuine recommendation to help a customer. That’s businesses supporting each other. And wouldn’t it be brilliant if charities and organisations automatically did the same? Imagine if we all worked in true partnership: "We can help with this, but for that, you need to speak to this organisation—they’re the experts." No competition, just a shared goal of making a difference. I don't think for a second that not sharing is done on purpose but more of a case of tunnel vision. Concentrating on their own service. Tunnel vision has its place but big picture thinking can change someone's life. Today was a win-win—two local businesses supported, and I got an awesome donut 😊. #Collaboration #SupportLocal #BetterTogether #CommunityMatters

Kenneth C. discusses how foode empowers diners to make a meaningful impact on their communities. With every transaction made through the platform, a portion is donated to local food security programs—at no extra cost to the diner or the merchant. It's innovation meeting responsibility, creating a ripple effect of positive change with every meal. Listen in to discover how dining out can make a difference! #SocialImpact #DiningForGood #Innovation

🌍 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗗𝗮𝘆 Today, we recognise the incredible work food banks do for communities around the UK, providing essential support to those in need. Food insecurity affects millions and food banks are a vital resource in helping individuals and families access basic, nutritious food. This year, we want to spotlight 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 - an app that's making a difference in the way we contribute to local food banks. 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁? The app connects you to real-time information about which items are in high demand in your area. Whether it’s canned goods, baby formula, or hygiene products, you can give what’s truly needed, and the app notifies you before you get to the checkout. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁?  Food banks offer more than just meals; they provide hope, dignity, and community support to people facing tough times. With the rising cost of living, the number of families turning to food banks is growing. Every donation, whether big or small, makes a difference. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗗𝗮𝘆 let’s commit to helping where we can. 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 and start making an impact in your local area! 🛒💙 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: https://lnkd.in/gDFhV-Ca 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: https://lnkd.in/eUkdXDnu #NationalFoodBankDay #BankTheFood #FightHunger #GiveBack

NATIONAL FOODBANK DAY 🥒🥑🥐🥕 Did you know that today is National Food Bank Day? This day will acknowledge food banks across the country who are working each and every day to provide support to individuals experiencing crisis. Foodbanks are places where people can go to get food and other essential items for free if they don't have enough money to buy them. Food banks are a bit like supermarkets, but everything is free. Families can visit food banks if they don't have enough money to buy food. A food bank provides people with everyday items like pasta, tinned food and cereals. They also give out other essential items like toilet paper, soap and shampoo. Most of these items are donated by members of the public. We’re encouraging everyone to support foodbanks not just today but ain the future too. Want to get involved? Why not create a fundraiser, hold a food drive or even do some volunteering! BARROW FOOD BANK LIMITED #nationalfoodbankday #foodbanks #helpthevulnerable #helpthehomeless

We chase hope, not targets: taking accountability. Donations to KFC Add Hope have always been voluntary, and always will be. We chase hope, not targets. Our experience over 15 years has demonstrated the boundless generosity of our customers. As a franchised business with more than 1,100 outlets, we have systems to ensure that our ethos and values are clearly communicated to our franchise partners and their staff. These systems include a whistleblower line that staff can use to report matters of concern. As South Africa’s largest quick-service restaurant brand, with more than 40,000 employees, we encourage our front line staff not only to prompt customers for contributions but to alert us when there is a value disconnect. When mistakes are made, we own them, we apologise, we self-correct – and we strive to keep adding hope for South Africa’s hungry and malnourished children. We will release our first Add Hope impact study on 25 June at GIBS, celebrating 15 years of collaborative impact from customers and KFC. Watch this space. #AddHope #SocialImpact

NATIONAL FOODBANK DAY 🥒🥑🥐🥕 Did you know that today is National Food Bank Day? This day will acknowledge food banks across the country who are working each and every day to provide support to individuals experiencing crisis. We have many clients that work closely with foodbanks and it is amazing to see the positive and tangible benefits that foodbanks have on vulnerable peoples lives. Foodbanks are places where people can go to get food and other essential items for free if they don't have enough money to buy them. Food banks are a bit like supermarkets, but everything is free. Families can visit food banks if they don't have enough money to buy food. A food bank provides people with everyday items like pasta, tinned food and cereals. They also give out other essential items like toilet paper, soap and shampoo. Most of these items are donated by members of the public. We’re encouraging everyone to support foodbanks not just today but in the future too. Want to get involved? Why not create a fundraiser, hold a food drive or even do some volunteering! #nationalfoodbankday #foodbanks #helpthevulnerable #helpthehomeless

Turning $200 Into $40,000: Join Our 200 for 200 Campaign At Parkdale Food Centre, we’re starting 2025 with both a challenge and an opportunity. As demand for food and community support continues to rise, we’re launching our 200 for 200 campaign to ensure no neighbor is left behind. Like many agencies in the Ottawa Food Bank network, PFC is feeling the strain. The cost-of-living crisis has pushed more of our neighbors to seek food relief than ever before. Meanwhile, social supports aren’t keeping up with the cost-of-living. In 2019 we served 900 people per month. The demand for emergency food services has sky-rocketed and we now saw over 1,500 per month in 2024. THESE NUMBERS SPEAK VOLUMES. The Ottawa Food Bank, which provides a large portion of our food, has announced reductions in its support to partner agencies by 20%-50%. At the same time, government response to this growing crisis has been slow. The Parkdale Food Centre is only 10% government-funded. We rely almost entirely on grassroots fundraising and community donations. These realities mean that organizations like ours must adapt and innovate to continue meeting the needs of our neighbors. How You Can Help This month, you will begin receiving a $200 rebate. If 200 people pledged their rebates to Parkdale Food Centre, we could raise $40,000—enough to share healthy, culturally appropriate food with 3200 neighbours for two months. Your $200 could provide food for five neighbors for an entire week. Together, our small actions can create big change for those who need it most. Give your gift here today: https://lnkd.in/e6K9zMnM Take a listen to my good friend Joel Harden explain the importance of this movement! Extra props to Joel for sporting PFC swag!

The US is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, yet the wealth inequity gap continues to widen, the middle class seems to be disappearing, the cost of living expense increases is outpacing rise in wages, and, and, and... the list goes on. All of these "ands" are creating multiple levels of insecurity-- food insecurity, housing insecurity, education insecurity, wage insecurity. I know several of my friends Christopher Morris, CUDE, CCUFC and Mark Volz, CUDE, CCM who continue to give of their resources and time at these food pantries in Madison. What if each of us were for 30 days to give up "something" that we enjoy (i.e. Starbucks, eating out weekly) and instead donate either that money or goods in kind to our local food pantries? And then once you have figured out that you can probably do without one or two things of small cost in your life, continue to donate that money! Or even maybe go a day without eating anything and provide the money equivalent of meals for that one day to food banks and pantries...and oh by the way it might give you a small "taste" of what it is like not to have food to eat and how that impacts you not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Use the link below to see what the food insecurity looks like in your community. https://lnkd.in/e6HVa2GP FYI, In my small rural county in White County Tennessee, 16.3% of the population are food insecure- 4,480 people. #foodinsecurity #creditunions