We’re feeding San Diego and together we’re Feeding America | Spring 2015 NewsFeed INTERNS BRING SKILLED BACKGROUNDS TO HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS by Madeleine Hennessy, Communications Coordinator A graduate of culinary school, Le Cordon Bleu, with an emphasis in pastries, Beth Trimble is not your typical intern. She offers her exceptional culinary skills three times a week as a nutrition intern at Feeding America San Diego because, simply put, “it’s [her] dream job.” “Cooking for all sorts of people, teaching them how to cook for themselves, and sharing recipes using ingredients we’re giving out—it’s what I want to do.” Before joining the FASD team, Beth and her family lived in New York City where she found it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. “I felt like our food budget got smaller and smaller until we were just eating eggs and rice. It’s not that we had an unlimited budget before; it just got so small that it was really hard.” This experience sparked her interest in hunger-relief. Beth demonstrates a healthy recipe for children at a special holiday distribution in December 2015 Beth first offered cooking demonstrations at City Harvest in New York City, another member of the Feeding America network, and later volunteered at FASD when she moved to San Diego. Following her passion for cooking, and with a wealth of knowledge to share, she applied for the nutrition intern program. Cooking for all sorts of people, teaching them how to cook for themselves, and sharing recipes using ingredients we’re giving out—it’s what I want to do. Feeding America San Diego focuses on providing nutritious foods paired with appropriate education. Often, those facing hunger struggle with tough choices such as whether to purchase food or pay utility bills. Acknowledging these limited resources, FASD seeks to arm our clients with the knowledge and resources necessary to make healthy choices. CONT’D ON PAGE 7 This 2 Issue From My Perspective: Joe Campos, Inventory Operations Manager 4 Nutrition Month & Client Story: Healthy Cook Program Impacts Senior’s Health 7 Getting Started with Planned Giving & Wheelz and the NUcrew On the Go BY THE NUMBERS 30,834 recipes have been distributed by FASD since July 2014 23 50% $ 67% of households served by FASD report purchasing inexpensive, unhealthy foods to stretch their budget FASD provides an average of 23 cooking demonstrations per month of the food distributed by FASD is fresh produce, sourced largely from the CA Association of Food Banks and our Food Rescue program 40% of households served by FASD lack health insurance of any kind FROM MY PERSPECTIVE by Joe Campos, Inventory Operations Manager Dear Friends, I have been a part of the team at Feeding America San Diego for over two years and am currently the inventory operations manager. In this role, one of my main areas of responsibility is product (food) flow within the building. I work with both the volunteer and programs departments to make sure our time-sensitive product gets out to the community in a timely manner. Working at FASD is a unique opportunity to make a true difference in others’ lives on a day to day basis. Since I spend most of my time working in our distribution center in Sorrento Valley, I don’t get to see the impact first hand very often, but one of the most rewarding experiences is when I do have the opportunity to visit a distribution and witness real change in my community. This fall, I was able to play a big part in the transition of our market center to online ordering. A huge step for FASD, the online ordering process allows us to better support our partners and increase efficiency in serving our community. Moving forward, I am excited to be a part of FASD as it continues to expand its reach and services in San Diego County. Joe Campos Contents of a Diabetes Wellness Food Box distributed at our first class in February DIABETES WELLNESS PROJECT LAUNCHES This February, Feeding America San Diego launched its Diabetes Wellness Project in partnership with Third Avenue Charitable Organization (TACO), Baker Elementary, San Diego Hunger Coalition and University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Student-Run Free Clinic Project. Students and their supervising attending physicians at the UC San Diego Student-Run Free Clinic Project stationed at Third Avenue Charitable Organization (TACO) and their Baker Elementary clinic will screen current patients for food insecurity and diabetes. Identified patients will enter a six month nutrition, diabetes-focused course and a specialized FASD food program after consultation with their doctor. The food program consists of monthly Diabetes Wellness Food Boxes containing food specifically designed to help chronically ill patients manage their diabetes, along with nutrition resources and recipes. Patients will fill out a pre- and postassessment survey with the medical students, and have pre- and post-assessments of their diabetes control using HbA1c testing, which measures average blood sugar over the course of three months. “I’m astounded by how much food insecurity is affecting my patients’ lives and the decisions they’re making,” said Sunny Smith, MD, an Associate Clinical Professor at UCSD, the Medical Director of the UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic Project, and principal investigator on the Diabetes Wellness Project. “You tell them to eat fruits and vegetables, and then you sit down with this study enrollment questionnaire to ask them how often they eat fruits and vegetables and they answer, ‘I can’t afford that.’” 32% of households served by FASD contain a member with diabetes The American Diabetes Association estimates that an individual with diagnosed diabetes incurs average medical expenditures of approximately $13,700 per year, of which roughly $7,900 is attributed to diabetes. “For those struggling to make ends meet, it is difficult to keep food on the table, much less maintain the strict diet necessary to manage diabetes,” said Jennifer Seneor, director of programs at Feeding America San Diego. “32 percent of the households we serve contain a member with diabetes and 40 percent lack health insurance of any kind. Innovative projects like this will pave the road for a new approach to hunger-relief that goes beyond providing calories to improving the health of our communities.” David Malinak, the medical student who has taken on this project for his senior independent study, said that since beginning the surveys, they have noticed a very close correlation between food insecurity and diabetes. He says what makes this project unique is that “if you look at the literature on diabetes interventions, so many are focused on nutrition education, but…this is very unique in the fact that it brings the food [to the clients], and even more than that, it’s a randomly controlled trial, which is the highest level of evidence we can gather.” The project will run for nine months, during which time the organizations estimate they will provide diabetic assistance and food to 200 patients diagnosed with Type II diabetes with the goal of reducing the effects and cost of the disease for those struggling with food insecurity. NUTRITION MONTH from hunger to health Every March, Feeding America San Diego celebrates National Nutrition Month® alongside hunger-relief organizations across the country. The campaign, sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, focuses on building awareness of the link between hunger and health. Families struggling with hunger are often forced to purchase cheap, unhealthy foods with a limited budget, increasing their chances of developing long-term health problems like obesity, diabetes and heart disease. To combat this issue, FASD believes we have a responsibility to provide food that strengthens the health of our community. FASD integrates preventative health and nutrition education into hunger-relief programs to reduce the risk of diet-related chronic illness. We believe the opposite of hungry is healthy, not full. GET INVOLVED DONATE FUNDS. Help increase the sustainability and efficiency of FASD by becoming a monthly donor. DONATE FOOD. Ask to donate a box through your local CSA or give through the annual Boy Scouts of America food drive, Scouting for Food, throughout the month. LEARN ABOUT HUNGER. Feeding America San Diego will be hosting screenings of the documentary Hunger in America throughout the county. Join us for the location and date that works best for you: Location TBD: March 12 FASD Distribution Center: March 19 Leichtag Foundation Ranch: March 26 ADVOCATE. Share your support for National Nutrition Month on social media. Like Feeding America San Diego on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @FeedingSanDiego. Retweet FASD and tweet using #NutritionMonth. ttend a special VOLUNTEER OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, March 28 A from 9AM to 12:30PM at our distribution center. Learn more about volunteering, tour the facility, and try several of our regular volunteer projects. HELP TAKE SAN DIEGO FROM HUNGER TO HEALTH. FEEDINGAMERICASD.ORG/NUTRITION MONTH HEALTHY COOK PROGRAM IMPACTS SENIOR’S HEALTH FAST FACTS by Madeleine Hennessy, Communications Coordinator A small one-bedroom apartment in Logan Heights is the space Wilbert Kelley calls home. The apartment is cozy with a small dining room table in the kitchen next to his treasured organ. Although space is sparse, the smile on his face says it all. “I love the peace and quiet,” said Wilbert. Several years ago, struggling to keep up with bills, rent and food, Wilbert began looking for help. Nearly 30 percent of San Diego County children in grades five, seven and nine are overweight or obese* 6,687 San Diego County is home to 6,687 farms, more than any other county in the U.S.** 11 Wednesday, March 11, is Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day *Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Profile: County of San Diego, California **Healthy Work, a component of the County of San Diego’s LIve Well San Diego initiative “Food is so expensive now,” said Wilbert. “Rent is expensive too and it continues to go up.” It’s a blessing. It keeps our mouths fed, keeps my body healthy and helps me move around properly. He found relief at FASD partner agency, City Heights Community Development Corporation (CDC). As FASD and its partners have shifted their focus to offering more healthy food and nutrition education, Wilbert has welcomed the change. City Heights CDC participates in FASD’s Healthy Cook program, a targeted approach to improving the health of a community through the distribution of healthy, nutrientdense foods. FASD gauges the impact of the program through client surveys that capture client eating habits and measure health indicators. Participants like Wilbert are anxious to share their experience with the Healthy Cook program. “It’s a blessing. It keeps our mouths fed, keeps my body healthy and helps me move around properly.” The program offers relevant nutrition education, hands-on training and onsite cooking demonstrations. Taught by FASD program staff and interns, these trainings and demonstrations often include recipe samples, one of Wilbert’s favorite aspects of the program. “I like the fruits and wheat bread,” said Wilbert. “And I love the beans. I’m a North Carolina kid—we love our beans.” According to research conducted by Feeding America and the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger (NFESH), 4.8 million seniors in America were food insecure in 2011, including 9.5 percent of seniors in California. With unique nutritional needs and challenges, seniors like Wilbert who face hunger have an increased risk for chronic health conditions such as depression, asthma and heart failure. But thanks to the food he receives from FASD, Wilbert’s contagious optimism, enthusiasm and gratitude have remained strong through tough times. “We really appreciate what people are doing for the community out here. Its very important people do not have to go without food to eat. We’re very grateful.” CONT’D FROM PAGE 1 Y TUESDA 5 ES ESDAY TU Compete against San Diego law firms to raise the most food, funds and volunteer hours. FIGHTING HUNGER TU Help overrule hunger in San Diego. Join us for our fourth annual Food from the Bar competition. TUESDAY MAY 2015 Y OF 6 DA MAY TEAMS DAY TUES UPCOMING EVENTS STRIKE OUT HUNGER XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX MIRA MESA LANES SPONSORSHIPS For more information about sponsorships, contact Lindsey King at 858.768.7425. Proceeds benefit our critical hunger-relief and nutrition programs. 2014 RESULTS Tickets & Sponsorship • Event Sponsor Strike Sponsor Lane Sponsor Individual Ticket April 30, 6:30-8:00PM FASD Distribution Center • • • • • • Mango League Champion: Simpson Delmore Greene LLP Banana League Champion: Allen Matkins Watermelon League Champion: Cooley LLP 16 law firms $41,539 raised 2,265 pounds of food donated 492 volunteer hours over four weeks Visit our website to sign up. “I think it’s really important that, when we’re distributing food, we do a nutrition demo at the same time. It really helps clients make the connection. I see people’s eyes light up when we use a recipe making the exact ingredients that they’re getting,” said Beth. Her favorite health tip? “Sneak it in,” says Beth. “Add grains, healthy proteins like beans and meats into other things. When I serve new ingredients with familiar foods, it’s an easy way to teach nutrition.” $5,000 $2,500 $1,000 $50 For tickets, tables and sponsorship information please email [email protected] or call 858.768.7425. FEEDINGAMERICASD.ORG/STRIKE FEEDINGAMERICASD.ORG/FFTB GETTING STARTED WITH PLANNED GIVING What is planned giving? ‘Planned giving’ is a decision made in the present to make a formal gift in the future. Some examples of planned giving include: • • • A bequest made in your will. A trust established by you to provide income for you or a loved one and to provide a gift for your charity. A gift annuity established by you to provide income for you or a loved one. It is also designed to provide a gift for your charity, though its terms may not guarantee this. If you’ve been thinking… • • • • I recently sold a large asset and I am going to have a huge tax bill this year. Now that I am 70, I have to start taking the required minimum distributions from my IRA, even though I really don’t need the income and am worried about the tax consequences. I have a highly appreciated asset, whether it be specific stock or investment real property. If I sell it or leave it in my will, the capital gains taxes will be enormous. I would love to be able to help my charity, but I am concerned about having sufficient income when I retire. …it may be beneficial for you to speak with an attorney who handles trusts and estates to learn about the complete range of trusts, gift annuities and other elements related to planned giving established under the law. Other potential benefits for you and your family • • • • Savings on income taxes, capital gains taxes and inheritance taxes if they apply Creating a legacy for you and your family Creating a stream of income for you or your loved ones Enjoying the pleasure of philanthropy and recognition of your gift The details explained above are not meant as a substitute for professional legal and tax advice or estate planning. STRIKE OUT HUNGER TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015 4 - 7 PM MIRA MESA LANES Strike Out Hunger this spring with Feeding America San Diego. Reserve your lane as a company, department or family to join us for a fun evening of friendly competition and delicious local fare. COMPETITION KICK-OFF Nutrition interns provide interactive, culturally relevant recipe samples, develop educational materials, and facilitate classes on nutrition for FASD partner agencies. For more information about planned giving at Feeding America San Diego, please contact Dan Bohan, Major Gifts Manager, at 858-452-3663 X110. ON THE GO greetings from Wheelz and the NUcrew Dear Friends, We’re writing from our most recent visit to the Healthy Cook class at the Community Resource Center in Encinitas! On average, between 12 and 15 students attend the class where they receive produce from the Leichtag Foundation. In the January class, students learned to “taste the rainbow” by adding a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to their diets to help support a healthier lifestyle. To demonstrate the lesson, we concocted a delicious recipe for scrambled eggs with fresh peppers, onions and tomatoes. In March, we will survey the class participants to see if there have been any changes in their health and understanding of healthy eating. HUNGER-RELIEF INITIATIVES FEEDING KIDS FEEDING FAMILIES FEEDING SENIORS FEEDING EXCELLENCE Until next time! LEARN MORE AT FEEDINGAMERICASD.ORG/PROGRAMS Wheelz and the NUcrew NonProfit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 2686 San Diego, CA 9455 WAPLES ST, STE 135 SAN DIEGO CA 92121 TEL 858.452.3663 FAX 858.768.7438 FEEDINGAMERICASD.ORG ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Join Feeding America San Diego and the 10,000 individuals who dedicate their time to help feed more than 480,000 children, families and seniors every year. Feeding more than 59,000 children, families and seniors every week, FASD relies on the support of individuals, corporations and community groups. Through our highly organized distribution model, every $1 donated turns into six meals. = 6 In order to achieve a hunger-free and healthy community, FASD advocates on behalf of the food insecure on a federal, state and local level. Lend your voice to the fight against hunger and show your support for hunger-relief efforts on social media. STAY CONNECTED FEEDINGAMERICASD.ORG
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