Compassion, Connection and Commitment are the ingredients that make the CARES Food Pantry work. In this and future issues, we'll introduce you to our business partners and volunteers who are CARES.
Please share this newsletter with anyone who "cares" to make our community a better place to be.
If you do not wish to receive CARES news, please use the link at the bottom to unsubscribe.
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Families to Families...Building Community |
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Jim Struble grew up as a member of St. Alexander's Parish where CARES is now. He knows the buildings well, so when CARES needed help in refurbishing the building and grounds, Jim and his staff (his sons and daughters are all part of RCI Electric) got on board to make sure the electrical system was able to support refrigeration and lighting needs for the Food Pantry and Market. Before renovation could occur RCI completed underground work, installed bright LED lights in the building, and outside lighting for safety.
Struble stopped by to see the finished building recently. "You don't always know how you can make a difference in your community. Getting involved with CARES gave me a way to feel like part of a team working to make our community better. We had resources to share, but CARES converted our donation into something that people need!"
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Jim Struble of RCI Electric and Kitty Ostach, Executive Assistant at CARES |
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RCI Electric's donation has had an impact on the guests who rely on CARES In the words of one CARES guest, "When I come here for food, I feel like people care about me, like they respect me even though I need a little help. It's so nice and bright and clean."
That makes Struble happy, "People deserve to feel uplifted. It has been an opportunity and a blessing for us to be involved."
We at CARES couldn't agree more! A huge thank you to Jim Struble and RCI Electric for their donation and commitment to families who need a hand.
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Nancy Prieskorn is everywhere at CARES. She is that friendly face at the front desk, behind the scenes making sure appointments are logged and helping guests find what they need. She knows their names, the challenges they've faced and she always has a kind word or a quick retort to someone's friendly teasing.
"I'm so impressed by the grace and caring of those who are dependent on the Food Pantry. They help each other--driving a neighbor whose car isn't running or shopping for someone who can't get in. Even though they are struggling themselves, they are ready to help someone else." -Nancy Prieskorn
Nancy enjoyed working in the Pantry so much she was able to recruit her husband Ron, who definitely prefers to be a "behind the scenes" guy. It's volunteers like Ron though, who keep the shelves stocked and the warehouse running. Every volunteer job at CARES is important and keeping the pantry neat, and orderly falls to voluneers like Ron Prieskorn, who says "I just enjoy keeping shelves stocked so people can easily find what they need."
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Donate Generously - National Food Bank Day is September 2nd.
Requests for help with food are growing every month, and even though we get the best rates possible for our supplies, we need your help to keep up with the demand.
Please consider making a generous donation today. HELP FEED the growing number of families in our communities who need a little extra help.
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YOU Too Can be a Cares Volunteer
CARES is looking for volunteers who like to write, do data entry, create spreadsheets, conduct prospect research, use social media, help with fundraising and work in the Food Pantry. Get in touch and find out how you can get involved with the CARES Campus of Hope.
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Welcome New Corporate Volunteers from OMRON |
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CARES is proud to welcome employees from Omron Automation to the "Days of Service" program, where corporations permit their employees to volunteer at CARES during their work day. If your corporation has such a program and you would like to be involved, contact Marcia Rodeheffer, Dir. of Business and Volunteer Development at mrodeheffer@caresfh.org.
Omron is a Japanese Co. whose mission is "To Improve Lives and Contribute to a Better Society." The corporation, which has 30,000 employees, encourages employee volunteerism by donating $200 to a designated charity, for each employee who gives 16 hours of volunteer service in a year.
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Whitney Lejewski, Industry Marketing Manager for Automotive and Logistics and her colleagues Tim McLennan and Sam Hutson work at the CARES checkout counter. |
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Shop at CARES Market and Make a Difference! |
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100% of CARES Market profits go towards the purchase of food and supplies for the CARES Food Pantry. When you shop at the Market, you are helping to feed families in our community who need it most!
Stop by today and receive a free bag of Uncle Ray's Chips with a $5 purchase.
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Richard Kramer, Chief Development Officer Pro Bono Needs Your Help... |
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Do you ever wonder how a non-profit organization like CARES manages to do so much? CARES new Chief Development Officer Pro Bono, Richard Kramer, can answer that question: "With a lot of philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, foundations, faith-based congregations, and civic and service organizations!"
Mr. Kramer has over 50 years in the development business, helping numerous non-profits achieve their goals. And he is volunteering his expertise to help CARES grow and expand its services. He plans to establish a Virtual Development Office and enlist volunteers who can work from home or on the CARES campus to help step up fundraising efforts.
I'm looking for people who can write about hunger in America; who are skilled with spreadsheets and can help grow CARES' fundraising database. We need to build networks in all of the communities we serve."
Kramer's own experience with a family member who was food insecure for years led him to make a life's work of service. "Watching my brother suffer and learning how quickly someone can go from gainful employment to becoming food insecure, or having to choose between medicine and food, made me acutely aware that I must do something to help. When I heard about CARES' mission it just called to me. No one should have to choose between food and medicine. CARES is doing so much to help families in need. But we can do more!"
If you are looking for a meaningful volunteer experience; have skills to share and want to learn how to be an effective fundraiser while helping CARES, go HERE to sign up to volunteer and fill out the volunteer application. For information contact Richard Kramer at Rkramer@caresFH.org or call and leave word for him at 248-897-9970. Remember, much of this work can be done from home.
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Are you, or someone you know, having difficulty buying the groceries you need to feed your family? If you live in Farmington/Farmington Hills, Livonia, Redford, Novi, Northville, Southfield or West Bloomfield call CARES Food Pantry at 248-474-9231 and get on the schedule for a monthly food pick-up.
If you are outside of our service area go to pantrynet.org to find a food pantry near you.
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Feeding Over 500 Families A Month and Growing
- Your Help is Urgently Needed -
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As always, we are in need of donations to support our work in the Food Pantry. New calls come in every day from families who are becoming less food secure. Please help in whatever way you can, through our fundraising activities, through your church, community group, social groups, and individually. |
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Save the Dates!
Important upcoming events to benefit CARES
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Visit our Facebook page for information on all of our upcoming events
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BOO-WARE: Trunk or Treat
Sunday, October 23 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm
More info coming soon
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