Casey Cook introduced the speaker for today Nicki Ross, Executive Director, and Nora Gorde of Table to Table. "Wasted Food is a Wasted Opportunity". Table to Table partners with Scattergood School, grocery stores, Kum and Go, Hy-Vee Gas stations, Extreme Arena, Kinnick Stadium, and U of I cafeteria.
Nicki spoke on Garden Recovery: Table to Table connects garden produce with Hunger relief agencies. Hundreds of pounds of homegrown produce collected this summer so far. There has been 13,300 lbs. of fresh produce recovered this season.
A new program was produced this past year: "GLEANING'" Gleaning has 16 volunteers and was spear headed by Nora Gorde. Ten percent of food grown in the U. S. is left behind in the fields. Volunteers harvest the extra produce and donate it to relief areas. This program was three years in the making. Table to Table usually receives between $3,000-$10,000 annually from the Johnson County Community Foundation.
Table to Table is currently located at 347 S. Capitol St. September 1, they will move to 1049 Hwy. 6 in the Pepperwood Plaza.
How can you help? Volunteer or make a donation to Table to Table.
President Liz called the meeting to order at 7:05 am. Today for the first 10 minutes we wrote notes to the children that will receive shoes and sock from the "Warm Soles" District Grant. At this time there will be 480 shoes distributed. Shoes are $15 a pair or $180 for a box of 12. There will be sorting and labeling party at a date to be determined by the Ockenfels. There has been a $1,000 donation made for the shoes from a club member. Deb Ockenfels stressed the importance of every member giving at least $100 annually to The Rotary Foundation.
One great Happy Buck was that Amy was able to take her father PDG Herb Wilson to "The Fields of Dream" baseball game. It was a fantastic time. Deb Galbraith also celebrated her birthday today. August 17, 2021.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 am.