December 2020 - Happy Holidays! |
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This is your source for volunteer news, program updates, opportunities, and events. Best of all, it's where we can highlight YOU, and the amazing work Manna volunteers accomplish! |
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Counting Our Blessings
I remember one Thanksgiving years ago, when my mother, who was a rather well-known gospel recording artist, sang at the Mel Trotter Mission for homeless men in Grand Rapids. During that program, she read the words from that old-time gospel hymn, Count Your Many Blessings:
When, upon life's billows, you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings, name them one by one
And it will surprise you what God has done.
This holiday season, I’m counting our blessings—each of you who help fulfill Manna’s mission.
Wishing you a joy-filled 2021.
—Kim Baker, Executive Director
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Manna recently picked up two large bins of Hubbard squash from King Orchards, and they are the BIGGEST we've ever seen! Eric was particularly proud of this 31-pounder.
The farmer said Hubbard squash is her favorite, and that the easiest way to cook it is to put it in a garbage bag, slam it on the concrete, and put the broken pieces into a turkey roaster. Must be worth the effort!
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The Happy Shack brings holiday cheer to clients & glows in the dark
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Peg Schiller, John Merrill, Jessyca, and a handful of others had the privilege of sitting in this beautiful homemade shed while registering clients for our drive-thru food pantry.
Thanks to Matt, Eric, and Bob for their expert assembly, creativity, and satirical motivational posters inside!
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Since the pandemic began, we've had several wonderful folks bake us cookies, bread, sweets, and bring in donuts and pizza. Our latest delivery is a Christmas tree-shaped shortbread from Bruce and Nancy Dunn, pictured here.
Thank you to the Dunns, Mike and Barb Vacketta, Nancy Cook, Nancy Stewart, Roberta Vander Breggen, Bill and Judy Goldsmith, and so many others who have treated us so well! It gets us through each week with smiles on our faces.
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First Community Bank Sponsors
Manna Cooking Classes
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First Community Bank recently donated $5,000 to Manna Food Project, designating the funds for nutrition initiatives that include cooking classes and education materials for food pantry clients.
The funds—paired with a grant from the Health Department of Northwest Michigan and Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities—were designated for Manna’s 2020 program, “Nutrition First: Skills for a Healthy Life,” which aims to equip at-risk high school students, college-level students, and young families with the knowledge and tools to navigate the adulthood challenges of healthy living, with a primary focus on food and nutrition. With COVID-19 school closures, classes with high schoolers and college students have been put on hold, but a free virtual presentation to young moms was held over Zoom in September.
“It was a challenging experiment, but the class was a success,” says Jessyca Stoepker, Program Coordinator at Manna Food Project. “We walked them through eating healthy on the cheap, reducing waste, reading food labels, nutrition myths, and ways to get the whole family to eat more veggies. The instructors used motivational interviewing tactics to make the lessons stick.”
Each participant received all the equipment and ingredients ahead of time—an electric skillet, measuring cups, food storage containers, a cookbook, fresh produce, and much more—which meant they were able to cook the featured recipe, Lentil Taco Skillet, even with their kids helping out.
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Stoepker says that food security and health go hand-in-hand. “If someone is struggling to put food on the table, they are less likely to purchase high-cost fruits and veggies, and far more likely to choose low-cost convenience meals that can lead to chronic health problems. Then medical bills pile up, and it becomes a never-ending cycle.”
Manna Food Project has pioneered these initiatives throughout their tri-county service area for the last four years. Supporters like First Community Bank help sustain this programming and reach more families.
“We believe that education is the best way to help people.There is nothing more powerful than knowledge,” says Meagan Krzywosinski, First Community Bank’s Assistant Vice President of Human Resources and a member of Manna’s Board of Directors. “These classes provide skills for healthy lifestyles, food independence, and the ability for our community to be self-sustaining.
Though COVID-19 thwarted initial plans for 2020, Manna and its partners anticipate additional classes later into 2021, both virtual and in-person.
“We are proud of our partnership with Manna and the work that they’re doing. At First Community Bank we felt that this Manna program was a great way for us to help make a real difference that impacts local families during what has been a difficult year for many,” says Matthew R. Clarke, President of First Community Bank.
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Holiday Hours & Inclement Weather Reminders |
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This season, Manna's facility will be closed:
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (Dec. 24 & 25)
- New Year's Day (Jan. 1, 2021)
Volunteers are still encouraged to schedule shifts throughout this period, except for the days listed above.
Manna's food pantry will be closed:
- Tuesday December 22
- Thursday, December 24
- Tuesday, December 29
The facility will remain open on the 22nd and 29th for any volunteers who would like to help pack backpacks.
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With cold weather approaching, we'd like to remind our volunteers of our Inclement Weather Policy. Manna closes when both Petoskey and Harbor Springs Public Schools close.
This year might look different due to COVID-19 class formats, but if ice, snow, or storms make conditions unsafe we will be communicating with you promptly.
If you have any questions about this, please call our office at 231-347-8852 or my cell phone at 269-908-8563.
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Learning Opportunities for
Food Pantry Volunteers
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If you have some extra time at home, consider taking a moment to learn more about our mission through these resources.
When Healthy Food is Out of Reach: A Food Access Survey in Northwest Lower Michigan is report presenting the results of a spring 2018 survey of food pantry users in Benzie and Antrim counties.
Northwest Food Coalition's Food Security Summit is a six-part virtual series where people can learn about needs and resources related to addressing food insecurity. Volunteers, students, and any of the general public is invited to these free events.
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Feeding America West Michigan's Food Safety and Civil Rights trainings are located on Manna's volunteer software for easy access. Completing the training will help you as a volunteer and help us ensure a safe, welcoming environment.
Click here to login to your volunteer profile. Once online, find the "Training" menu option on your volunteer dashboard and select the "Annual Training - Food Safety and Civil Rights" option. Watch the videos, answer two questions, and you're done!
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Looking for opportunities to
volunteer remotely?
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For those of us especially at risk of COVID-19 complications, or who would just prefer to stay at home, here's a list of volunteer activities you can do from the comfort of your living room.
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Ask area nonprofits if remote work is available. Data entry, social media, and proof-reading are all things that can be done at home.
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A word of note:
Remembering Tony Fochtman
Our staff received word that a partner food pantry director and friend recently passed away. We are providing his obituary, printed in the Petoskey News-Review on December 9, so others can cherish his memory.
Tony Louis Fochtman, 59, of Petoskey, died December 4, 2020 at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital with a family member by his side.
Tony was born on March 29, 1961, the son of Louis and Barbara (Hall) Fochtman. He graduated from Petoskey High School in 1979 and attended Marquette University.
Upon returning to the area, Tony started in management with K-Mart which moved him to various areas of the state, and later worked for Vital Care in Gaylord and Traverse City. He then took a position with Glen’s Markets (now D & W) as the service area manager. Tony retired in 2017 and then spent his newfound time traveling and volunteering at various non-profits.
Tony’s faith was strong in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lived his life by Matthew 5:16 letting his light shine so that others could see his good works and give glory to God in heaven. Tony worshiped at Jesus Is Lord Community Church in Bay Shore. He managed the food pantry at the church and assisted the Praise and Worship team by providing the lyric presentations using at times photos from his travels.
Tony was passionate about history. He was extremely knowledgeable about civil war history and would center his vacations around visiting battlefields and other historically significant sites. He was also interested in his own family history and genealogy, spending many hours researching his lineage and visiting family cemetery plots.
Tony also was an avid sports fan. The Detroit Tigers were his favorite team and he enjoyed watching games and knew every team, player, and their stats for years. He enjoyed watching all sports, especially the games and performances by his nephew and niece, Ryan and Katelyn.
Those that knew Tony will remember him most for his open, kind and self-less personality. He had a generous spirit and great sense of humor, never letting a pun-opportunity go to waste. He will fondly be remembered as “a friend to everyone.”
Tony is survived by his mother Barbara A. Fochtman; sister Jacquelyn (Robert) Wheaton; nephew Ryan Wheaton; niece Katelyn Wheaton; aunts Rose Fochtman and Janet (Dean) Welsheimer; and many cousins and close friends.
Tony is preceded in death by his father Louis Fochtman.
At this time, the family will be holding a private service. A Celebration of Life for Tony will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, friends and family wishing to make a charitable donation in his memory are asked to consider the Manna Food Project c/o Jesus Is Lord Community Church (10593 Seneca Ave, Charleviox, MI 49720).
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~ Stay warm and safe this holiday season~ |
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