People Helping People » Good Cheer Blog

A Time for Concern and a Time to Say Thanks!

Dec 052011

December 5, 2011 Posted by Mark Clawson 1 Response »

In November the Food Bank served 962 families and that is an all time high. Our budget is really being put through the wringer. We had budgeted spending $220,000 on food in 2012 and the added pressure for food that we are experiencing is making that budget a difficult proposition.

While today we saw a nice drop in the unemployment rate, you still have to wonder about how many people have of just given up the search. Perhaps this is the glimmer of hope that we have all been waiting for. Let’s hope!

In the mean time, while our confidence has been rattled somewhat, we know our community will be here to help us during this incredibly challenging time. We will work to stretch our food dollars and we hope you can help us by shopping Good Cheer stores, buying gift certificates or the Good Cheer Cookbook.

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!

Hunger can happen to anyone. It’s the child that sits next to your child at school. It’s the family down the street, where both parents are working, but paying so much for health insurance and child care that it’s hard to make ends meet. It’s the senior citizen waiting with you at the bus stop that worked hard and saved for retirement and is now facing a depleted retirement account and outrageous prescription costs.

What Hunger Looks Like in Western Washington – A Survey from the Food Lifeline.

Hunger can affect anyone.

More than 45% of the individuals using a food bank, meal program or shelter in Western Washington have some form of post-secondary education. Only 9% are actually homeless.

35% of the people Food Lifeline serves are children.

14% of the people Food Lifeline serves are seniors.

Hunger causes many families to make difficult choices.

47% of the people Food Lifeline serves had to choose between food and paying for heat or utilities.

29% of the people Food Lifeline serves had to choose between food and paying for medicine or medical care.

42% of the people Food Lifeline serves had to choose between paying for food and paying for rent or mortgage.

Our community is what makes the food bank at Good Cheer so successful!

You may have read our most recent newsletter, but if you haven’t, here is what our clients are saying. The value of your donations and kind hearts is pretty evident:

“I come to the food bank and leave with bags of food and tears in my eyes. Thank you!”

“I am grateful for the dignity of the experience of coming to Good Cheer. Applying for federal aid programs is humiliating and demoralizing, but not so here.”

“A lady could tell that I was uncomfortable the first time here. She was nice and caring and made me feel O.K.”

“Working in the garden has blessed our whole family. Good Cheer has made us feel like a real part of the South Whidbey community and has been a ray of hope for us during bleak months.”

“Good Cheer helped me out when I was sleeping in a tent out in the woods in winter.”

“When a staff member walked me through the food bank to show me the great abundance of produce available for no points, I think I actually heard the angels singing… I really try hard to provide quality food for my kids.”

“It’s just like a grocery store. Rather than feeling shame, I feel proud to live in a community with such an amazing resource. Thank you!

“You are the kindest people on the planet! Thank you.”

“Thank you for helping me through my pregnancy as a single Mom.”

You can read more about the feedback that we are getting from our clients by clicking here. IT IS REALLY MEANT FOR YOU!

Kathy McLaughlin the executive director at the food bank made the following comments:

“When people read the headlines about unemployment and high poverty rates in the U.S., it doesn’t quite translate into how people are affected in our community. What the clients have shared with us in this survey puts a human voice to their needs, their worries, and the profound thankfulness clients have for the Food Bank and the community which supports it.”

Experiences of Poverty in Island County 2011 Report Online

Twenty-three Good Cheer clients were part of the 171 Island County households surveyed in a recent report on poverty by the Opportunity Council.

Key findings were presented in the areas of housing, employment, medical care, childcare, food security, education, finances, transportation, and community services.

Some of the findings:

In Island County 34% of single mother-headed households with children under 18 live in poverty.

Almost half the households surveyed had one employed family member whose wages were below federal poverty guidelines.

Half said they have fallen behind in rent or mortgage and a quarter had had utilities shut off.

Nineteen percent reported having to share a household with another household (doubling up) in order to prevent homelessness.

The full report is available by clicking on the link.

YOUR DONATIONS AND KIND HEARTS TRULY MATTER

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM GOOD CHEER

Good Cheer’s – No Points – Holiday Meal Program

Nov 032011

November 3, 2011 Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

The Holiday season is drawing near and Good Cheer, with your help, will be spreading happiness. Good Cheer’s No Points Holiday Meal Program will continue because of the support that we receive from our community. Many food banks in Western Washington can’t offer a holiday meal program because their budgets have been cut at the federal, state, and county levels.

This is unfortunate since new poverty data to be released next week will show that the ranks of America’s poorest poor have climbed to a record high, one in fifteen people. About 20.5 million Americans, or 6.7 percent of the U.S. population, make up the poorest poor, defined as those at 50 percent or less of the official poverty level. Those living in deep poverty represent nearly half of the 46.2 million people scraping by below the poverty line. In 2010, the poorest poor meant an income of $5,570 or less for an individual and $11,157 for a family of four.

It’s nice to know that we can have an impact on so many people at just the right time of year. Together we can make a difference.

The Holiday season is a time of giving and it is our hope that you will be able to help us with your donations. Remember, for every dollar donated the food bank is able to purchase about nine dollars worth of food; we have a great creative shopping program!

Good Cheer has developed an innovative food points system which empowers clients to choose their own foods in a grocery-like setting using monthly points based upon household size. Selection of fresh produce is encouraged through low points for these healthful items. The Good Cheer garden which is tended by community volunteers provides fresh-picked produce.

Holiday meals can be expensive for our clients and the ability to provide some good cheer with a zero points holiday meal is a way of making the Holiday season a little more fun for everyone.

Food Bank coordinator Damien Cortez and a crew of volunteers stocking our walk-in freezers with frozen turkeys!

The grocery at Good Cheer will have special Holiday displays full of supplies for our clients to cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The shopping list will include turkey, stuffing (1bag/box), pumpkin (small can), yams (small can), cranberry (small can), gravy (1 can or package), rolls, and celery. This food is in addition to a household’s normal monthly food points.

There is another group on Whidbey Island that brings happiness on Thanksgiving Day. The Mobile Turkey Unit is a community service organization that has been with us since 1999. It was founded by Tom Arhontas, who had a special place in his heart for people in need. The goal of the Mobile Turkey Unit is to provide a free, home delivered, Thanksgiving meal for those who would otherwise not have one. This includes the elderly, shut-ins, low-income and unemployed people, plus employees working on Thanksgiving day on South and Central Whidbey.

This year they expect to provide Thanksgiving meals to at least 200 families on South and Central Whidbey Island. There are more than 150 volunteers in the program, a lot of people sharing from their hearts.

There is a story of a young girl who saw a Mobile Turkey Unit driver pull into her family’s driveway. She ran out into the driveway shouting, “Mommy, mommy! The turkey is here! Thanksgiving is here!”

We can work together and make the Holiday season brighter!

Please help us with your donations! You can drop donations off at the Good Cheer Food Bank at 2812 Grimm Rd. in Bayview or you can phone us at 360-221-6454.

Love, Peace and Happiness to All!

Skagit-Island Counties Builders Association Delivers!

Sep 182011

September 18, 2011 Posted by Mark Clawson No Responses »

The Skagit-Island Counties Builders Association delivered 65 cases of frozen chickens to the Good Cheer Food Bank last month and we wanted to thank them once again. The association has been providing frozen chickens or cash contributions to be used for the purchase of chickens since 1998. They have been a constant source of support to the food banks of Skagit and Island County.

Charles Locke, Owner/Contractor of Back In the Woods Works, delivering 65 cases of frozen chicken from the SICBA.

In an interview with the Whidbey Examiner SICBA Executive Officer Wayne Crider said. “The donation is always scheduled for a time of year when the food banks are low on food.” They don’t need it at Christmas time,” he said. “They need it in summer and fall, when protein is hard to come by. Year after year, these are the worst two months of the year,” said Hughes noting that many food banks across the nation experience a similar seasonal lull.

The support provided by the Skagit-Island Counties Builders Association is so representative of the help that we receive from the community and the businesses that support our efforts.

The donations that we received from the Island County Fair were tremendous. Visitors who brought two or more food items to donate were admitted for half price. At the fair 1,328 pounds of food were donated an increase of about 300 pounds from last year.

Thanks to all!

Good Cheer!

The Third Light Benefit Concert for Good Cheer

Sep 152011

September 15, 2011 Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

This Sunday, September 18th, at 7:00 PM, there will be a benefit concert held at the South Whidbey Assembly of God, located at 5373 Maxwelton Road just outside of Langley.

This benefit, for the Good Cheer Food Bank, is being organized by Daniel Estill. Daniel is a senior at South Whidbey High and one of his graduation requirements is a Culminating Project. The project challenges high school seniors to demonstrate their academic knowledge. Daniel, whose passion is music, has chosen to organize and perform a benefit concert with The Third Light Band.

Daniel and his friends Colton Justus, Chris Bates and Sara Miholland are The Third Light Band, South Whidbey Assembly of God’s youth band. Earlier this year the band raised $1000 at a benefit concert helping the homeless on South Whidbey Island.

There will be a short presentation by a representative from the Good Cheer Food Bank followed by a performance by the band. Desserts and beverages will be provided.

Daniel and his band are asking that you bring non-perishable food items, slightly used or new clothing or just a monetary donation.

Good Cheer gives thanks to Daniel, his friends and the South Whidbey Assembly of God for their support.

Good Cheer!

Vacation Bible School Helping Good Cheer

Aug 162011

August 16, 2011 Posted by Mark Clawson 1 Response »

Good Cheer is blessed with the support that we receive and many times that support is coming directly from our young people. If you haven’t noticed; young people are getting involved. This seems to be a generational change that is spreading and bodes well for the future.

The Vacation Bible School had their annual event at the CMA church a couple of weeks back. Tina Hinojos and Kristie Chapman were the directors of the Vacation Bible School and Pastor Mike Berry was on hand for all the good fun.

The vacation school is held every year and is free. One hundred and fifty kids attended this year’s event and there were about 60 adult helpers, the church was a busy and happening place. There were games, crafts, music and bible lessons. Who would have known that this was a church, the surf theme was very real and fun!

While there was a surfing theme their “give it back” was collecting cans and non-perishable food items for the Good Cheer Food Bank. Last year they collected peanut butter and tuna for the food bank and this year it was about building a sand castle of food.

The goal was to build a sand castle of food as tall as their youth Pastor Mike Berry. If they succeeded, which they did, Pastor Mike would eat a mystery can of food on stage, the mystery can was fruit cocktail and garbanzo beans.

The actions of a few can change the world. It all begins with small steps; random acts of kindness and focused attempts to help one another.

Perhaps one can at a time!

Thanks Kids!

Good Cheer!

The Paint Escape – August Milk Fund Sponsor

Aug 062011

August 6, 2011 Posted by Mark Clawson No Responses »

The Paint Escape is going to be our Milk Fund Sponsor for the month of August following Coldwell Bankers Tara Properties our first sponsor. Tina Beard purchased the store from Stephanie Zea who is the bookkeeper at the Good Cheer Food Bank. She purchased the store 5 years ago and moved into the current location in Freeland three and a half years ago. The Paint Escape held a fundraising event for Good Cheer in the month of June and the donation went to the capital campaign so it could be matched. So, here they are again, what great support!

The Paint Escape will donate 15% of their sales for the month of August to fund the milk program.

Gail Pierce and her associates delivering their donation check for the Milk Fund.

Coldwell Banker Tara Properties was Good Cheer’s first Milk Money Sponsor. Their participation during the month of July provided the seed money to get the program off the ground. The food bank is now able to provide milk for every food bank client with Coldwell Banker’s help!

The word is getting out about our milk fund and the support has been wonderful. Rita Burns, Good Cheer’s Operation Manager, recently spoke to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island about the Milk Fund project and the congregation responded by providing a check for $365 to support the program.

Now you can paint for Good Cheer!

The Paint Escape is a paint your own pottery & glass fusing studio located in Freeland, they have been supporting Good Cheer since 2007. This is a great experience for all ages! You can enjoy a fun and relaxing pottery or glass fusion experience while you explore your inner artist. Great for birthday parties too!

You will find a large selection of unfinished bisque with over 80 beautiful paint colors to choose from. You can create something special in their fused glass area where you may choose from over 40 colors of glass. Their friendly staff is always available to guide you through the process.

There are a thousand ways to design a piece of pottery or create in glass. The Paint Escape offer stamps, stencils, idea books and examples for inspiration. A wonderful way to make hand made gifts, create memories and have a great time. No experience required!

Where treasured memories are created.

Tina was showing me how they do fused glass. The flower piece above; shows how you use a base glass and then stack glass pieces on top. The flower on the right has been fused in a kiln. The bowl at the top is an example of a fused glass piece. Slumping the glass allows the artist to change the shape of the piece.

Kiln used for fusing the glass.

The studio is a fun place to have a family reunion, a birthday or office party, or bring your out of town guests to create a special Whidbey memory. The glass fusing is a beautiful and unique way to capture sunlight creating a one of a kind piece of art.

The Paint Escape is open:

Monday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Tuesday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Wednesday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Wednesday Ladies Night 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. (minimum age 18, no kids or men)

Thursday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Friday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Special Events By Appointment

1664 E. Main St

Freeland,Wa

360-331-3166

Thanks Tina and Good Cheer to all!

Martha Murphy – 30 Years of Creating Childhood Memories

Jul 242011

July 24, 2011 Posted by Mark Clawson No Responses »

Martha Murphy lives everyday with one thing in mind “Creating childhood memories to last a lifetime!” She has been teaching and directing youth actors for 30 years. When Martha came to Whidbey Island she moved into a 1908 farmhouse in Langley and that is where she offered her first classes. Much has changed since then. Martha founded the Whidbey Children’s Theater and has directed over 200 stage shows, many original works she created with her students.

In 2003, a group of parents began meeting with Martha with the intent of insuring the future of the WCT by forming a Non-Profit Charitable Organization dedicated to creating opportunities for children to experience and participate in the performing arts. Whidbey Children’s Theater gained its non-profit status and found a new home in the Porter Building.

I was looking at Sue Frause’s Whidbey Island Life blog and saw where she had written a nice article on Martha a few years back. I wanted to share her words with you.

“For the past 25 years, Whidbey Children’s Theater has made many a proud parent and grandparent’s eyes well up as they watch their offspring recite lines, sing, dance and make us smile……They ranged from simple productions she staged in the barn across the street from her house to full-blown musical revues at The Clyde Theater during Choochokam. But at the core of Martha’s dream is her philosophy that she’s stuck to all these years: “We’re not about producing shows, but about making a difference in kids’ lives.”

”And yes, Martha, you have made a difference in our kids’ lives, and in ours.”

Many of these actors start early; they literally grew up on the WCT stage. It is very apparent that Martha has worked her way into their hearts.

The childhood memories are still alive for a group called Slap Happy. Slap Happy is comprised of four very funny, talented and incredibly generous young men. They include Mark Arand, Matt Bell, Cameron Gray and Gabe Harshman. They began their a cappella group while in Middle School. Over the years they have been in numerous plays and musicals at the WCT. They are all in college with the exception of Matt Bell who just graduated from Western. Every year they have been returning to do a benefit for the WCT with 100% of the proceeds going towards the Whidbey Children’s Theater.

They will be performing on August 12, 13 and 14 at 7:30 pm at the Martha Murphy Mainstage Theater located in the Porter Building. Their performance will be a mix of old and new songs beautifully arranged in four-part harmony with their typical onstage antics added in for fun. For advance tickets please call the WCT Box Office at 221-2282.

The Good Cheer Challenge.

Being involved with children is a passion for Martha. This is the third year that she has hosted a resident camp for off island girls. This is not an official WCT event it is just what she does. The classes stress teamwork and community involvement with a drama theme.

As you can see they made it down to the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley! They went in search for an item that they would later use in an improvisation. The girls would explain what they bought for $2, why that particular item and the personal value attached to the item.

Practicing on each other.

On Friday at the Second Street Market in Langley they raised money for the Whidbey Children’s Theater by face painting.

Looks pretty good to me!

If you haven’t noticed, our young people are getting involved, they want to help others. That giving thing is pretty important and perhaps it’s a generational change that will bring a brighter future.

Thanks for being such a great mentor, Martha!

Good Cheer!

Falcon Football Seniors – Service Day at Good Cheer

Jun 172011

June 17, 2011 Posted by Mark Clawson No Responses »

This past Sunday the South Whidbey High School Falcon football team participated in a service day at Good Cheer. The incoming seniors, along with coach Mark Hodson, used their teamwork getting things done at the Bayview site.

Along with some muscle, they brought pressure washers and other tools to take care of a number of projects at Good Cheer.

The players pressure washed the containers at Good Cheer getting them ready for the new paint job that will be done by Windermere Real Estate and their team Friday, June 17^th. Here is an article that was posted about last years community service day by Windermere Real Estate.

The rest of the players were busy with spreading several yards of gravel around the parking lot. They filled potholes and raised the lot back up to the sidewalk level.

When the truck returned from Albertson’s in Oak Harbor with the food we receive every Sunday from Albertson’s food rescue, they unloaded the truck of several hundred pounds of food.

The team also had some help from an up and coming underclassman. Perhaps this encounter will sway Rodrick into attending South Whidbey and joining the Falcon football team?

My guess is that most of these guys have been playing football for a number of years. I’m sure they will remember their moments of individual glory, most of those who have played remember the glory days even though they are overstated. The true benefit of team sports are the friends that you meet along the way and the way you take on challenges together and become more confident in doing so. Your team friends become family.

An interesting note that I picked up from the South Whidbey Record was that out of 1,071,775 high school football players, only 5.7 percent play college football. Only about 2% of college players make it to the NFL.

Two of last years seniors are moving on to play college ball.

South Whidbey’s, Associated Student Body president, Tyler Norris an all-conference defensive end committed to the University of Puget Sound. He was a first-team defensive end his junior year before other teams keyed on him during his senior season. He still finished with 6.5 sacks and averaged 10 tackles per game, on top of his 279 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Austin Bennett was a first team selection at safety in the All-Cascade Conference and honorable mention as a wide receiver.

We wish the best for the incoming seniors who gave their support to Good Cheer this last weekend.

Good Cheer!

Health Hero Award of Island County – Youth Division

May 022011

May 2, 2011 Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

JaNoah Spratt has been nominated for Linda Lee Martens Memorial Health Hero of Island County Award (youth division) and we would love to have JoNoah’s supporters on hand for the event.

While the event is scheduled for May 11th; they are hoping to receive RSVP s by May 4th so they can get an estimate of attendance. You can call Carrie McLachlan at 360-221-8486 or email her your RSVP to carriem@co.island.wa.us.

JaNoah Spratt has been a Good Cheer Food Bank volunteer since the spring of 2008. He was then 7 years old when he heard from his neighbor Kay Stanley (a Good Cheer Board Member) that there were hungry people who needed help here on South Whidbey Island. JaNoah had a garden that he planted with his parents. He would harvest and then sell his crop from a vegetable stand in front of his home. The funds were donated to the food bank; he raised $300. The next year JaNoah wanted to do even more. A poor growing season caused problems and he was only able to raise $50 from his garden sales.

Time to get creative! JaNoah goes to all of the businesses here on South Whidbey and asks them to match his donation. JaNoah in the end raised $2000 in cash and gift certificates.

JaNoah was becoming a seasoned Good Cheer volunteer. He went to Olympia and spoke to Representative Norma Smith and Governor Christine Gregoire about the work of Good Cheer. He invited Norma to come to visit the Food Bank when she got back from their session. When JaNoah reported back to me about his visit I followed up and made sure JaNoah was given the opportunity to give Norma a tour of our Food Bank.

During the tour Norma mentioned to JaNoah that she thought a south Whidbey Talent Show would be a great fundraiser for Good Cheer. After she left I asked JaNoah how he thought the visit went. His first words to me were “I’m really intrigued with her idea of a talent show fundraiser.” That is all it took and one year later the “Mother of all Talent Shows” was born. JaNoah co-chaired the event with Good Cheer’s food bank coordinator Damien Cortez. I budgeted that they would raise $3,500 but they surpassed the budgeted amount and raised $5,090.

Last year JaNoah also sponsored a fund drive at the Goose Community Grocery Store and Casey’s Craft; he and his friends from Tiger Martial Arts raised $690. Then in the summer, right after his tenth birthday, he coordinated a fund drive with the Washington State Ferry system where he solicited the help of his Tiger Martial Art friends and raised over $1000.

JaNoah has been working hard again this year as he is in the midst of co-coordinating our 2^nd annual “The Mother of all Talent Shows Rides Again” scheduled for May 28^th. JaNoah has already solicited MANY items from local businesses that will be used for raffle items.This year he is also signing up businesses that want to sponsor the event, another revenue making effort. He is solely responsible for this portion of the talent show. Damien brings in the talent and JaNoah focuses on bringing in the MONEY.

JaNoah Spratt is one of Good Cheer’s most treasured volunteers. He is a shining example that one really can make a difference. He shows how commitment and perseverance inspires others to get involved. Good Cheer is so fortunate that JaNoah’s passion is to end hunger.

While raising funds for Good Cheer has been extremely important; his largest contribution has been educating others in our community about the need. He has told the Good Cheer story through news coverage, one-on-one, fund & food drives and community events. JaNoah has become one of Good Cheer’s leading advocates.

Having worked with JaNoah now for three years we have become close friends. When the spotlight shines on him he just turns that spot light right back onto others. JaNoah is humble, wise beyond his years, and full of love. He is so deserving of the Island County’s Health Hero Award. He is definitely an old soul and one that brings inspiration to this community.

Thanks JaNoah!

Good Cheer!

The Clyde Food Drive and Magic Change Jar

Mar 312011

March 31, 2011 Posted by Mark Clawson No Responses »

Photo Credit: Robbie Cribbs

The Clyde Theater will sponsor the Good Cheer Food Drive for the month of April.

Blake and Lynn Willeford, owners of the Clyde, had their first food drive for Good Cheer in 2009 donating 600 pounds of food. Last year it was 1,000 pounds and they are hoping to top that number this year. The Magic Change Jar at the Clyde is also benefiting Good Cheer. The donations and matches started in March and will run through the end of April.

Lynn and Blake both volunteer at the Good Cheer Food Bank and two of their employees do the same; Mindy Thompson works at the Food Bank and Eve Carty helps out at the Good Cheer Garden.

The Magic Change Jar has a great history. Lynn and Blake were fortunate to have matching partners Lindsay Communications and the Island Athletic Club on board. In 2009 the patrons and MCJ partners ended up donating about $ 5,000 to six local charities, including $1,000 to Good Cheer. This was followed in 2010 when they took it up a notch by raising an additional $8,667 for Haiti earthquake relief.

When I spoke to Lynn about their community involvement she also spoke to their work in Haiti and Africa. I mentioned my post on Kid Helping Kids, a program helping kids in Africa that my daughter was involved in.

Lynn explained that Blake and Kelly Henriot, president of the Langley Middle School’s PTA had organized a shoe drive. Both are avid runners who had plenty of pairs of shoes lying around. A two-week drive collected more than a thousand pairs of shoes and sandals that were shipped to Senegal. Shoes and sandals are vital in Africa to reduce incidents of trauma, hookworm and parasites that enter the bare foot. Foot injuries can keep adults from going to work, and children from going to school.

“Kids there don’t hop on the school bus,” Willeford said. “They often walk miles to school. If they get an infection, they can’t go.”