LETA KELLEY introduced Katy Bunder, Executive Director of Food Finders Food Bank since 2008. Her presentation, titled “From Hunger to Hope Campaign” began with the statement that the organization has outgrown the existing building built in 1999. She explained how food was obtained and distributed and how that has changed over time. The food comes from different sources and is more perishable, requiring more cooler and freezer space. The food is distributed through food pantries and soup kitchens, a mobile pantry, the Summer Food Service Program and Senior Grocery Program.

Food Finders needs to make the food more accessible and wants to educate those who receive the food about ways to use it – eliminating waste. One in five children in Indiana is food insecure. Empty calories are cheap, which explains part of the obesity problem among the poor. She had several statistics related to the number of households in need and the income level of those who receive food.

Katy ended by encouraging members to donate, volunteer and advocate.

Money Collectors: JEAN JACKSON and SANGITA HANDA; Greeters: SAM BIEDERSTEDT and TOM PEARSON; Invocation:  SUSAN HYCHKA; Piano: BOB GRIFFITHS; Song Leader:  DAVE LUHMAN; Help with attendance and facilitating a smooth meeting: TOM MORAN and JANE SMITH.  Webmaster: LARRY HUGGINS.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

CONGRATULATIONS to JANE SMITH who has 3 years of perfect attendance as of the end of October 2014.