In Memory of Al

We have lost another good friend, former employee and current volunteer.  Al passed away very suddenly of a heart condition on Saturday, January 30th.

Al didn’t want us to make a fuss over his passing and had made requests from his family to have no formal funeral and no obituary.  We wanted to recognize his contributions to the LFB over the last 5 or so years and remember him anyway. 

We will miss his sense of humour, complimentary attitude, funny stories and jokes.  Al Dorner RIP

LFB Goals for 2010

Well I guess the most important thing for us to accomplish at the LFB this year is to finish our renovations and get into our new and improved space!  It has been a long couple of months that we have been covered in dust and the sound of drills and sanders have rang in our ears, but we are getting closer every day and the crew has been amazing to work with.

Another major goal to accomplish this year (which it should be crossed off our list by March) is our Client Tracking Software program that we working on with the Interfaith Food Bank and Salvation Army.  I am so excited about how much smoother our operation is going to be when we are in our new space with our updated software.  It will be like we are a real office! ha ha

Our financial goal this year is to raise $250,000.  We think that it is an achievable goal and one that we need to meet so that we can provide for our clients in a consistent and long term manner.

I would also like to see our 2nd Annual Canadian Tire Care for Kids Golf Tournament in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Lethbr  idge do even better than last year and show our community that charitable partnerships are working for the benefit of our people.

Last but not least I would like to continue to do the work that we do in the manner that we do it.  I am really proud of my staff and volunteers because they are the reason we are able to accomplish all of these great things.

The LFB Board at a Charity BBQ!

Good Bye Alice 1927-2010

Our wonderful friend, volunteer and supporter Alice Gray, has passed away at the age of 82.

Alice was an inspiration to so many people and showed us how important it is to give your time and support, even when you have earned the right to relax.

Alice is survived by her two children, Keith and his wife Leisha & Laraine and her partner Doug, her grandchildren Kelly & Tim, Joel & Lindsey, Kyle & Stephanie, CariAnn & Shaun, and her great grandson Grayson.  Alice had many, many friends and will be remembered and honoured by all of us at the LFB.

The family has invited her friends and loved ones to a “Celebration of Alice’s Life” on Saturday January 23, 2010 at the Chinook Room at the Sandman Inn from 1:00 – 3:00pm.

Prayers for Alice

Please pray and send your thoughts out to our dear Alice and her family.  Alice has been an amazing volunteer, friend and supporter of the LFB staff and clients.  At 82 years old she has more spunk and energy than people half her age and has made a huge impact on all of us.  We have relied on Alice and her support for almost 2 years and have missed her these last few days.  Her amazing personality and zest for life has given us all a gift and a goal to strive for.  We miss you so much Alice, please be at peace.

Christmas Past, Present & Future

Past
I have three younger sisters and when we were little my parents, especially my Dad, always tried to teach us the importance of helping others.  One tradition we had as kids was to visit the nursing home by our house in Calgary on Christmas Eve and sing carols to all of the seniors who couldn't be with their families.  My sisters and I would bring our little keyboard and sing our hearts out while my Dad stood in the back of the room directing us and yelling "Harmony Girls, Harmony". (Picture a big Italian) The one year as we hugged some everyone goodbye, we were handed loonies from the seniors own change purses.  We got outside and asked our Dad if he was proud of us and he said "NO, you came here to Give, not to Receive!"  Instantly we went back inside and returned the money, saying it was our gift to them to sing.  I think all of them knew that our Dad was trying to teach us an important lesson.  When we left for the second time my Dad said "Now I am proud of my girls."  My sisters and I knew the lesson my Dad was trying to teach us instantly.  It IS better to give than to receive.
All of us took that lesson into our lives as we got older and we even tried to re-vive the Christmas Eve carols at the nursing home on our own as teenagers.  (Let's just say that little kids singing out of tune is cute...teenagers singing out of tune not so cute).
Present
Currently I try to live that lesson in my life both professionaly and personally.  Personally, I really strive to help outside of the realm of the LFB by being involved in Rotary and living by my Dad's favorite saying that "No matter how bad you think you have it, someone else has it much worse and your job is to make it better."  Professionally my job allows me to see the gifts of the people who can give and the appreciation from the people who receive.
Future
I hope that the LFB will be able to continue the work we do with the same dedication, appreciation and assistance.  It truly is better to give than to receive!

Christmas Countdown!

It's November 23rd today which means only 31 days left of me feeling (and being) crazy!

This time of year at the LFB is amazing, heartwarming, frustrating, demanding, fun, exciting, busy, hectic and wonderful!  My mixed emotions probably come from the fact that on top of getting ready for Christmas the LFB is undergoing major renovations and I am constantly wiping drywall dust of my pants.  Anyone who works at the LFB could become poster kids for thinking positive and dreaming out loud all of the things we will be able to do when the renovations are complete.  Verna (our Intake Supervisor) is hoping that we will be able to have actual aisles of food instead of our current aisle (that's right, we only had space for one big thick aisle) and Gary our 72 year old Warehouse Manager is already organizing the "food departments" in his head.  I just have to say that Wesbridge and all the trades that have been working on this reno have been amazing!

On Friday I went to the Galt Gardens lighting of the Christmas Tree where we received a $300 gift card from Sobeys Uplands.  It was a cute event and luckily we had perfect weather for families to come out.  Once that tree was lit, it made me realize how close we are to December Christmas Hampers and how much we still have to do.

Tonight I meet with this sweet lady from Starbucks as they are going to sponsor the coffee station at The Holiday Train (Dec 12) and tomorrow night I am speaking to the kids at the Lethbridge Navy League who are going to do a food drive on our behalf.  I am so glad that I live in such a supportive community.

More to come....

Mandy

HungerCount Stats Released

So today Food Banks Canada released the results of the HungerCount 2009 http://www.foodbankscanada.ca/documents/HungerCount2009NOV16.pdf   


I have received a lot of media calls wanting info on a local perspective, which I enjoy giving because I love a good statistic (I know that would suprise my Grade 10 Math Teacher).

I am also trying to get some printed materials ordered and have a list of 20 or 30 things that need to be done this week....(yes, this Blog was on my list!) The weirdest thing happens though...as soon as I cross off one item, another to-do gets added! ha ha

Currently we are preparing for our busiest time of year....The Christmas Season! We need food, money and more time, however I am confident that everything will fall in to place and with our awesome staff (yes I still use the word "awesome") amazing volunteers and generous donors we will be able to meet the need this year. Check out our websites
http://www.lethbridgefoodbank.ca/
http://www.christmashope.ca/


I promise, once I get the hang of this my posts will be much more interesting!


Mandy