Dear Friends,
As many of you have heard, Greensboro has the distinct honor to be the new home to Afghani families who left Afghanistan last month. The US got them out of Afghanistan as a Humanitarian effort, which means that they do not have official refugee status and are ineligible for many programs to help immigrants begin their new lives.
A Simple Gesture has been asked to help collect food for these families, and we will work with our partners to make sure that these families will not be hungry. Next time you shop, please consider putting a few Afghani staples in your bag. A few favorites are basmati rice, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, beans (kidney, mung), pasta, tea (green and black), jam/preserves, and kids' snacks.
Cheers to neighbors caring for new neighbors!
Leslie Isakoff
President & COO
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September Is Hunger Action Month!
How does the ASG community feel about ending hunger in Guilford County?
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The Cars Just Kept Coming
The most recent BackPack Beginnings drive-through event, held in August, was a resounding success! Attendance was DOUBLE the spring event, and every car received food, books, and more. Thanks to your generosity, 75% of the food distributed was supplied by A Simple Gesture.
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Event recap:
- 380 cars
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1,131 kids (more than double the previous event) and 831 adults served (total 1,944 people served)
- 20,111 pounds of food
- 2,698 books
- 7,795 diapers
- 530 packs of wipes
- 578 plush toys
- 250 backpacks with school supplies
- 263 empty backpacks
- plus cleaning supplies, Food Lion gift cards, and more!
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Wyndham WOW!
RePurpose, which picks up excess perishable food from local businesses, schools, and other groups and gets it to community groups that can use it right away, coordinated moving over 11,000 pounds of wholesome food and produce left over after the Wyndham PGA Championship in August. Six local nonprofits received food equivalent to 9,000 meals!
"We picked up some great food and produce," said Pastor Keith Edwards of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. Mt. Pleasant provides food boxes to a local senior center and members of the community.
On behalf of the nonprofits and community members who benefitted, RePurpose extends its gratitude to the staff of Sedgefield Country Club for their assistance in making sure this food went to so many wonderful organizations.
RePurpose also picked up food at Greensboro's Folk Festival--watch for updates on how much food was recovered. Feeding, not wasting!
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Clubs, businesses, and fellow nonprofits across Guilford County have graciously invited A Simple Gesture to come and speak to their groups or attend their events to let others know how to become green bag food donors. A big thank you to just a few of these amazing partners:
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Oak Hollow Golf Course--ASG soon will have a display inside the clubhouse inviting local golfers to sign up to be food donors.
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GO FAR--Held at elementary and middle schools across Guilford County, this club teaches healthy eating, goal setting, and how to train for a 5K. ASG received a warm welcome at the GO FAR Fun Run at Fleet Feet in August and will have booth at the fall 5K and fun run on November 13.
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Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, which invites ASG to its ministry fair each year.
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The Stratford senior living community, whose residents are generously supporting ASG.
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Rooted Studio in Pleasant Garden, which chose A Simple Gesture as its September Stretch the Love nonprofit partner. Check out Rooted Studio's classes and events at rootedstudioyoga.com.
- Upcoming presentations are scheduled at the High Point Newcomers' Club, the Hamilton Lakes Lions Club, the Moose Lodge, and Wesley Memorial Church, among others.
We'd love to come out to speak to your club, civic group, neighborhood association, or faith community to let others know how they can help end hunger in Guilford County. Email asimplegesturegso@gmail.com to get the ball rolling!
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Hungry Children Are Fed Thanks to YOU!
A Simple Gesture is funded by grants and financial support from our friends, who have seen the impact of our work. Monthly gifts help ensure we can feed thousands of hungry and food insecure children and families on weekends, during holidays, and anytime families visit local food pantries.
Please consider making a recurring monthly donation of $10, $15, $20 or more to A Simple Gesture at www.heroesforhunger.org.
Please also consider a planned gift to A Simple Gesture. Our team is happy to help you with a bequest, beneficiary designation, or other option to remember us in your estate planning.
In the meantime, know how much we appreciate you and all you do for A Simple Gesture!
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Drivers Needed in High Point!
As A Simple Gesture grows in High Point, we need additional drivers to cover routes. If you'd be interested in becoming a green bag pickup driver for High Point, please contact High Point Director and Board Member David Lees at davidlees1@twc.com. High Point food pickups are on the same dates as West Greensboro (white tags).
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Please share this newsletter with your friends and family to increase awareness about local hunger. Plus follow us on Facebook and Instagram too!
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