http://indyplacetomeet.tribe.net/thread/5fc1fef1-c111-4733-af88-8179ea36e0c4?format=rss Tribe.net. Local Connections http://indyplacetomeet.tribe.net/thread/5fc1fef1-c111-4733-af88-8179ea36e0c4#b1768d01-8a8a-4db4-a0ac-eda73f1d01d7 Hello folks! Today I'm bringing you a way to help out those who are a little less fortunate than you may find yourself this day. A friend and fellow burner (Beth, the gal at the end of this e-mail...she SO rocks) works for The Campbell County Neighborhood Center of Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission and they've been trying out something new. They've changed their pantry to include more options, healthier food choices, and are looking to offer even MORE choices with some help. They're even starting up a series of classes that cover real-life skills, such as sewing, cooking, budgeting, and more. They rely on donations of all sorts, from the drop off to the monetary. I'd also like to remind those no where near Kentucky (though you can always help from afar) that there are pantries similar to this one across the country helping those that need that little extra boost to make it by and that it's donations from people like us, that can make a HUGE difference in someone else's life. Every little bit helps. Read more below, visit their site to make a donation, or to see what they've got going on. I think that they're on to something down there in Campbell County! ><><><><><><><><><><><><>< The food pantry at the Campbell County Neighborhood Center of Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission (www.nkcac.org) has undergone an amazing transformation. Over the last year, the pantry has changed from a traditional pantry to a client choice model based off of the food pyramid (www.mypyramid.gov). As the Rainbow of Choice pantry, we are dedicated to helping our families become and stay healthy and self-reliant. On their first visit to the pantry, our families are given lots of healthy and easy recipes that they can make from the food we can provide. Also on the first visit (and at any other time it is requested), we have a one-on-one personalized nutritional counseling session with our families. In addition to the changes with our pantry, we are also starting a new and revolutionary series of budgeting classes. For many families, it is hard to sit with a stranger and talk about debt, money, budgeting, and other personal matters. Instead of this, we have begun to plan Practical Budgeting. Practical Budgeting will be a series of classes based around real-life skills that help to lower bills and make a family more self-reliant. The classes are on cooking (with the help of a dietetics student at the University of Cincinnati), sewing, making homemade gifts, knitting, candy-making, and, of coarse, plain old budgeting. However, the lessons about budgeting and money will be incorporated into the more interesting skills classes. While our organization is fairly large, the Campbell County Neighborhood Center consists of one paid worker and many volunteers. We have a very small budget that covers our operating expenses and rely on donations to have food and supplies for our families. We are incredibly excited about the changes in our Center and are optimistic about all the good that they will do in our community. Right now, we are asking for small donations to get this work done. Donations will be used in the following ways: - To purchase a greater variety of food for the pantry, including vegetarian, diabetic, whole grain, and organic options. - To purchase used sewing machines, crock pots, bread makers, and other small appliances for the Practical Budgeting class (ideally, we would raise enough to be able to send folks home with one small appliance per family). - To purchase supplies such as sewing needles, thread, yarn, knitting needles, fabric, etc for the classes. - To purchase small items as a “congratulations” for our families, such as movie tickets or tickets to the Newport Aquarium for a family where the parent has reached a substantial goal, such as receiving their GED or reaching one year of steady employment. - To purchase household items such as laundry detergent, toilet paper, soap, deodorant, etc. These items are not donated very often but are in high demand from our families. We are a tax-deductible organization and you can receive a receipt for tax purposes. To donate, all you need to do is visit our website (http://www.nkcac.org) . Go to the “donate now” button and make sure to put “Campbell County” in the “designation” line. If you would like to donate to one program in particular, make sure to include that in the designation line as well. There is certainly no minimum to get involved and every little donation will help us to make these programs the best that they can possibly be. If you have any ideas, suggestions, questions or comments feel free to email me at bandriacco@nkcac.org or give me a call at 859-431-4177. Beth Andriacco Campbell County Supervisor Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission 437 W 9th St Newport, KY 41071 859-431-4177 ex. 23 Fax: 859-655-8671 Mon, 19 May 2008 18:49:32 GMT http://indyplacetomeet.tribe.net/thread/5fc1fef1-c111-4733-af88-8179ea36e0c4#b1768d01-8a8a-4db4-a0ac-eda73f1d01d7 Poosie 2008-05-19T18:49:32Z