Or tell your friends! |
| DO YOUR PART: NALC Food Drive set for May 10
Help Jacksonville "Stamp Out Hunger" by participating in the 16th Annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive, the largest one-day food drive in the  United States. The food drive will take place on Saturday, May 10. Residents will receive a postcard reminder in their mailbox during the week leading up to the event and a bag provided by Publix in which to secure their donations. First Coast residents are asked to leave nonperishable food donations in the bags by their mailboxes to be picked up by their letter carriers. The NALC Food Drive provides much-needed food during the typically lean summer months when children are unable to receive the free or reduced-fee lunches that are available during the school year. The Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida distributes food items to 515 community food programs such as church pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and senior citizen centers in 18 counties. More than 100,000 pounds of food was donated to the Food Bank through the NALC effort in 2007, and Food Bank director Patrick Colley is hopeful for more than 200,000 pounds of donated food in 2008. This year's food drive may be the most important in the agency's 28-year history, according to Colley, who says the first-quarter demand for food in 2008 has already set an agency record. The Food Bank has provided 306,000 more meals this year than it had to this point a year ago, and at this rate Colley says the demand will require the agency to secure an additional 460,000 pounds of food over the course of the year in order to meet the demand of those in need. "If everyone in Jacksonville donates one can of food, it would provide more food than has been donated in the last four years of this event combined," Colley said. "If everyone does a little, this year's drive will be the biggest ever, and that couldn't come at a better time." Second Harvest Food BankNational NALC Food DriveWant to Help? |
Did You Know?
* That 71 percent of the staff in the Refugee and Immigration Services Program is made up of former refugees. Combined those employees speak 18 languages?
* That the rising costs of gasoline in recent months and in the expected future will cost families an average of $125 to $150 more per month? |
LSS In The News
Refugee and
Immigration Services
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2008 Jacksonville FOODFIGHT:
Tickets on sale for June 5 event
 Enjoy a good party? What about an outstanding party for an even better cause? If so, the 18th Annual Jacksonville FOODFIGHT, presented by Everbank, is the place to be on June 5. Each year Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida plays host to the event, which features 50  of Jacksonville's finest restaurants and beverage wholesalers/distributors coming together in friendly competition to "take a bite out of hunger" by raising funds and awareness for the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida.  More than 1,000 guests are tempted to taste everything they see from the glorious variety of fine foods and spirits that are displayed throughout two floors of the Crown Royal Touchdown Club in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Live musical entertainment, a silent auction and an exciting raffle round out the evening. All proceeds benefit the  Second Harvest Food Bank, with the event generating more than $800,000 since its inception in 1989. Be a part of the excitement of this year's Jacksonville FOODFIGHT, and also help to support the important mission of the Second Harvest Food Bank.
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 Feinstein Challenge
enters final days
Alan Shawn Feinstein will once again divide $1 million among hunger-fighting agencies nationwide, marking the 11th consecutive year the Feinstein Foundation has done so as part of the "Feinstein Challenge" - which seeks to draw awareness to and critical funding for the issue of hunger in America.
The Feinstein Foundation operates by a simple equation - the more donations made to local hunger relief agencies, the more Feinstein money those agencies will receive as part of the program. Only donations received as part of the challenge are counted. The donations can include cash, checks and food items (valued at $1.00 per item or pound), as well as pledges.
The Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida - which serves an 18-county area in north Florida - is one of the agencies that stands to benefit from the much-needed funds being distributed by Feinstein. Only a short time remains in the challenge, however, with all donations due by Wednesday, April 30.
All submitting agencies receive a minimum of $250, up to a maximum of $50,000. The past challenges have helped raise more than $800 million for agencies nationwide.
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Considering adoption?
Attend presentations in May, June Children all over the world are in need of loving homes. A presentation by Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida (LSS) on how the agency can help facilitate the next addition to your family will be held on Thursday, May 8, at 6 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1415 S. McDuff Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32205. Kelsea Eckert, LSS international adoption coordinator, will be on hand to help answer questions and provide further information. A presentation has also been scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, at 6 p.m. at the LSS offices, 4615 Philips Highway, Jacksonville, FL 32207. Click here for more information about the LSS International Adoption program
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Bon Appetit!
International Flavors
The LSS "International Flavors" Cookbook is now on sale. This year's collection of delectable recipes from around the world can be purchased through the LSS office for $7 per copy in April or $9 per copy beginning in May. Proceeds are used to fund the Refugee Youth Scholarship Program, which allows refugee students to attend summer programs that their families would not otherwise be able to afford. For more information, contact Gina Federico at 904.730.8235 or Linda Hale at 904.448.5995. Make checks payable to Lutheran Social Services, with the word "Cookbook" in the memo. Send cash or checks to 4615 Philips Highway, Jacksonville, FL 32207.
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NEWS & NOTES
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS' TASTE OF THE NFL  The event is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 10, and LSS is in need of high-end items to include in the NFL Silent Auction. Please consider donating items from your stores, getaway trips to your vacation homes or other items that would be suitable for the auction at this exciting event benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank. LSS BOOTH AT WORLD OF NATIONS (May 2-4)Be sure to stop by the Refugee and Immigration Services booth at the World of Nations event, May 2-4, at Metropolitan Park downtown.
The weekend festival offers a glimpse into the world as neighborhood, including your neighbors here in Jacksonville.
Visitors to the event will embark on an exciting journey, traveling throughout the park where booths from numerous nations and regions will be on display, such as Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ghana, Haiti, India, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, U.S.A, Venezuela and Vietnam.
REMEMBER THE SHARING PLACE
The Sharing Place is in dire need of twin beds and mattresses in order to set up homes for arriving refugees. Items can be picked up by The Sharing Place staff, or dropped off at the LSS locations. For more information, call 904.448.5995.
REFUGEE & IMMIGRATION SERVICES PROGRAM
RECEIVES HIGH MARKS DURING MONITORING The LSS Refugee & Immigration Services program received strong marks and high praise for its operation during its recent monitoring by the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families. The Youth Services, Employment and Integration Assistance areas each were lauded for their efficiency and excellent organization.
Social service agencies receiving any of their support from state grants are required to undergo the "monitoring" process each year to ensure that state regulations are being properly followed.
While LSS historically has received outstanding audits, it is extremely rare that an audit fails to determine even the most minor changes, which occured in this case.
HAKIMZODA HONORED BY EXCHANGE CLUB
 Akbar Hakimzoda, a school liaison with LSS's Refugee and Immigration Services program, was honored for his work on April 9 at the 15th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Recognition Luncheon sponsored by the Exchange Clubs of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Beaches and the Florida Times-Union.
Hakimzoda was among eight honorees who were recognized for their outstanding contributions in the area of child abuse awareness and prevention. Hakimzoda has been employed with LSS for more than six years, where he has worked with the refugee community. | |
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