SETTING THE TABLE Fall/Winter 2015

MFN’s Biannual News Bulletin

Summer FoodService Program

member of

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sees 53% increase in meals served for 2015

Mark Your Calendar! 3rd Annual “Feed Our Neighbors” 5K

September 12, 2015 Follow us on Facebook or Twitter

for updates.

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December 12, 2015 - Volunteer SaturdayDecember 12, 2015 - Volunteer LuncheonJanuary 9, 2016 - Volunteer SaturdayFebruary 13, 2016 - Volunteer SaturdayMarch 12, 2016 - Volunteer SaturdayMarch 31, 2016 - MOONLIGHT MARKETUP

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Chuck’s Corner

Continue to check our website, Facebook, and Twitter to learn more about

upcoming events this year!

Thank You, Walker!Since coming on board as CEO of Mississippi Food Network in 2014, Walker Satterwhite and I have had numerous conversations, many of them about spending quality time with family. Based on that alone, I knew his resignation was com-ing…eventually. So, I was not surprised that the recent birth of his first grandchild helped to solidify his decision to resign.

While all of us here at MFN “selfishly” wish that Walker had chosen to stay another year, in all honesty, if he had, then we probably would have “selfishly” wished the same thing again next year ... and the year after … and so on. But, we all finally acquiesced to the fact that his desire to spend more time with family meant all we could do was to offer Walker our collective and heartfelt “Thank You.”

On behalf of our neighbors who are hungry and for the tremendous years of ser-vice and dedication you gave to the MFN, in particular, and the state of Mississippi, in general, we all say, “Thank You, Walker.”

Walker Satterwhite, our now retired Director of Operations and former Executive Director had been with MFN since 1992, almost 23 years. A little over 10 years ago, due to the exceptional quality of his work…and his character… he was drafted into the position of Executive Director by the Board of Directors. He took the position

reluctantly and did an out-standing job for the years he held it, until his decision to step down.

From the first day I met him, it was obvious to both of us that we were, as my grandmother used to say, “like two peas in a pod,” especially when it came to our feelings about and plans for MFN. One of the things we immediately recognized in each other was the need to continuously work for and

INSIDE THIS ISSUECEO Letter 2-3

Upcoming Dates 2

Dan Aykroyd and 4Morgana Freeman visit MFN

Ribbon Cutting 5Ceremonies for twoschool pantry programs

3rd Annual Feed 6-7Our Neighbors 5K

Community Partners 8-9Provide Support *Walmart Foundation *Entergy *Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc *Woodmen of The World *Prairie Farms *MS Peanut Growers Assoc. *Kroger *Heroines of Jericho *Woodforest Charitable Fdn.

Agency 10-11Conference

Entergy: Lightbulb Moment 12

Russell Morrison 12Named JeffersonAward Finalist

Local Pantry Reaches Out 13 Monthly Giving 13

Volunteers Make 14-16A Difference

Summer Feeding 17Program

Hunger Action MonthTM 18-19Dubbed SpoontemberTM

Do You Shop at Kroger? back Are You an Amazon cover Shopper?

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demonstrate an appreciation of the trust given to us by our thousands of friends and donors who support this important work.

Both Walker and I hold a deep-seated understanding of the fact that without such friendships and support, MFN simply could not exist and provide the kind and quality of service we, and our 415 agencies throughout the state, make available to the hundreds of thousands of Mississippians who need our help.

When MFN first opened its doors in 1984 in a 9,000-square-foot structure that at one time was a church, we distributed a few thousand pounds of food. When Walker took over the reins as Executive Director in 1992, we distributed some nine million pounds. When he handed me the reins in 2014, we were distributing some 20 million pounds. He gave me a great foundation to build on, including one of the hardest working and most caring staff of people I have had the privilege of working with in my three decades of service in the not-for-profit sector.

While words alone seem so inadequate to express the depth of our gratitude, it is my hope and prayer that this simple “Thank You, Walker” is at least a start in the right direction.

As I close, I humbly ask our friends and donors to please remember that we contin-ue to need your help. We are the only Feeding America-affiliated food bank located in this low-resource state, and our needs are many. Your financial contributions, no matter how large or small, are both needed and appreciated. Also, if you have or know of a vehicle with good miles left on it…car , truck or van…and are in a position to donate or have it donated to us, we can put it to good use!

Finally, please remember Mississippi Food Network in your will. Such a gift will help us feed our neighbors who are hungry and food insecure, for generations to come. Again, thank you, Walker, and thank you, our many friends and donors, for your support! Sincerely,

Charles H. Beady, Jr., Ph.D., CEO

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERSDebra McGee, Chairman

Aaron Akers, Vice-ChairmanFelicia Lyles, Secretary

Shannon McMillan, TreasurerJean Jacobs,

Immediate Past Chairman

BOARDBettina BeechHoward Boone

Rosemary CarginChuck Head

Danielle JoynerJohn Kitchens

Dick LargelKen LefoldtScott Little

Margaret McLartyBill Sneed

Floyd SulserRebecca Turner

Arrington WidemireJeff Wolfe

Terry Woodard

Charles H. Beady, Jr.Chief Executive Officer

Send your tax deductible contribution to: Mississippi Food Network l P. O. Box 411 l Jackson, MS 39205or donate online at: www.msfoodnet.org

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54Celebrity Visitors Tour MFN

As a matter of policy, Mississippi Food Network is always prepared to accept visitors. Because of the work we do, there is no telling who might show up. Here’s who has visited with us this year!

We were honored to have Morgana Freeman (be-low, center), daughter of renowned actor, Morgan Freeman and Executive Director of the Tallahatchie River Foundation, along with Megan Tooke (below, left) Executive Director of the Tallahatchie Early Learning Alliance, come to spend some time with us. It was a great visit. The visiting pair was im-pressed with the work we do. We hope to be able to partner with them on future projects in Tallahatchie County, MS.

We were also thrilled to have comedian, actor Dan Aykroyd to visit with us during his trip to Jackson. He received a personal tour and was very interested

in learning more about our programs and opera-tions. Always the consummate entertainer, he often fell into his funnyman persona when meeting the staff, to everyone’s delight. Thank you Dan for stop-ping by and for donating $1,000, which will help us to provide 7,000 meals.

LEFT: Morgana and Megan are escorted by Walker Satterwhite, Director of Operations

ABOVE: Dan is welcomed by Dr. Beady

Like Us On Facebook http://facebook.com/MSFoodNet

5Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies Held For

“The Market at Starkville” and “The Market at Brown” Mississippi Food Network opened its first school pantry programs at two existing backpack locations in October 2015. The First United Methodist Church of Starkville and Brown Elementary School in Jackson are school pantry sites that will help alleviate the burden of needy families by providing 15-pound food boxes with healthy, shelf-stable food items. In addition, families will receive fresh produce each month. The school pantry program is funded by a $25,000 grant from Morgan Stanley through Feeding America; and, a $5,375 grant from Woodforest Charitable Foundation provides the fresh produce. Thank you Morgan Stanley and Woodforest Charitable Foun-dation for your partnership.

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Please remember Mississippi Food Network in your will!

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Feeding Mississippians...one-step at a time...is exactly what we did at the 3rd Annual Feed Our Neighbors 5K held on September 12. This year we had a great turnout for the race, youngsters signed up for the Kids Race, made-to-order weather, and other fun activities such as our photo booth, raffle, face painting and breakfast complete with coffee, compliments of a local Corner Bakery. Thank you to our great sponsors and runners for making it another successful year!

Feed Our Neighbors 5K Run!

Feeding Mississippians . . . One Step At a Time!

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Mark your calendar

4th Annual Feed Our Neighbors 5K September 10, 2016

Feeding Mississippians . . . One Step At a Time!

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If you have a vehicle in good condition, with low miles ... car, truck or van ... and can donate it to us, we can put it to good use!

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ort Community Partners are an important part of the programs and services provided by Mississippi Food Network. Each year they provide monetary donations, food donations,

volunteer hours and more to help us continue in our fight against food insecurity among Mississippi citizens.

Entergy recently awarded Missis-sippi Food Network a $5,000 grant to help purchase staple food items. They also sponsor our “Annual Volunteer Luncheon” each year in December. Thank you to Entergy for your continued partnership.

The Walmart Founda-tion awarded $90,000 to MFN through their State Giving Program, which allows Walmart associates to select the nonprofit charities in their area whom they wish to fund. Thank you Walmart for your continued partnership to help us purchase staple food items and

Milk is a great source of calcium and protein; however, it is a food item that is rarely donated. Thank

Mississippi Food Network would like to thank the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Rho Omega Chapter in Jackson for their $200 donation to our summer feeding program this year. This summer we provided 49,686 meals to children through our summer feeding program. Thank you Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Rho Omega Chapter for your support.

Thank you to the Woodmen of the World for their gift of $1,000. Your generosity will help provide 7,000 meals for Mississippians.

you toPrairie Farms for their do-nation of 500 milk coupons to provide milk for families in our service area.

fresh produce for distribution through our member agencies.

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member ofOUR MISSION is to relieve poverty-related hunger in our service area by distributing donated and purchased food and grocery products through a network of member churches and non-profit organizations. We provide nutrition education to our needy clients. We also emphasize advocacy and related needs.

The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association recently donated 10,080 jars of peanut butter to Mississippi Food Network. Malcolm Broome, executive director of the Association, recently stopped by to check out the donation. Thank you for the wonderful donation of a great protein.

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The Heroines of Jericho, Queen Esther Court #172, held a food drive to provide 155 meals. The Heroines of Jericho are the Female Aux-iliary to M. W. Stringer Grand Lodge, PHA, Jurisdiction of MS. Thank you for hosting this food drive.

Woodforest Charitable Foundation recently presented a check for $5,725 to be used with the backpack program. Woodforest Charitable Foundation has been donating since 2009 to help fund this program. They have bank locations inside Walmart stores across our service area and host fundraising events in their banks each year to help raise money for this program. We appreciate their continued partnership.

Our thanks go out to Kroger for their continued support. We recently received a $500 check with the Richland (MS) Grand Re-Opening.

MFN HOSTS ANNUAL AGENCY CONFERENCE 10

MFN HOSTS ANNUAL AGENCY CONFERENCE Mississippi Food Network hosted the Annual Agency Conference in Septem-ber, where over 125 partner agencies participated in learning sessions such as “Best Practices – From the Agency Perspective”, “Food Safety for Food Banking” and “Pantry Track – Client Tracking Software” demonstration.

The attendees were able to engage in discussions of ‘best practices’ as they listened and learned from three of MFN’s stellar agency directors, Laurie Herring, Edward’s Street Fellowship Ministries; Sherri Duncan, Pine Lake Care Center–Brandon Campus; and, Elaine McAffee, Tippah County Good Samaritan–Walnut.

Food Safety is an important aspect of the MFN’s work. As its staff works to procure food donations and practice safe handling procedures for the food that is acquired and stored here, the safe handling of food does not stop at our doors. The partner agencies also have the responsibility of handling the food safely as they strive to meet the needs of food insecure families in their communities. To that end, food safety sessions were provided for the partner agencies attending the conference.

Many partner agencies have expressed a desire to have a way to track client participation and to streamline the recordkeeping that is required of them to access food from MFN. Mississippi Food Network is excited to potentially provide access to a software designed from a food pantry viewpoint. Some of the advantages of this proposed software would be to allow the agency to reduce the amount of paper generated from monthly reports, and to track client participation over time.

The Mississippi Food Network helped our 415 partner agencies provide over 16 million meals last year. MFN was blessed to have acquired 20 million

As a food bank, all MFN food is distributed through our 415 member agencies.

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pounds of food, but, we know that without the assistance of our partner agencies, we could not achieve our goal to distribute it to the 420,000 Missis-sippians in our service area who are food insecure. The staff and volunteers of these agencies work tirelessly to help alleviate hunger in their home com-munities. Mississippi Food Network is honored to assist them in their work.

To show our appreciation, we recognized some of the high-performing agen-cies. •PartnerofExcellence-PineLakeCareCenter,Brandon •MilestoneAward–AndersonUnitedMethodistChurch,Jackson •GitR’DoneAward–ParkviewChurchofChrist,Jackson •RookieAward–LovingKindnessOutreach,Columbia •GoldenSpoonAward–NatchezCommunityStewpot,Natchez •BridgingtheGapAward–BaptistChildren’sVillage,Jackson + 7 campuses statewide •SnackAttackAward–StewpotCommunityServicesSnackProgram, Jackson •BusyBodyAward–WeCareCommunityServices,Vicksburg •ServingMoreThanAMealAward–EdwardsStreetFellowshipCenter, Hattiesburg •HomeAwayfromHomeAward–ChristiansInAction,Jackson

The day was capped with a word from MFN’s Chairman of the Board, Debra McGee, expressing her appreciation to the partner agencies for their efforts on behalf of the needy in their communities. Dr. Charles Beady, Jr., CEO of Mississippi Food Network, closed the conference on a motivational note with his thoughts on how MFN can only impact people’s lives through our strong network of partners working together, helping to create stability in the lives of the many Mississippians in need.

Through our member agencies, 1.8 million people are served each year.

MFN HOSTS ANNUAL AGENCY CONFERENCE continued from page 10

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MFN HOSTS ANNUAL AGENCY CONFERENCE

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Send your tax deductible contribution to: Mississippi Food Network l P. O. Box 411 l Jackson, MS 39205or donate online at: www.msfoodnet.org

Russell Morrison Is Named Jefferson Award Finalist

The Jefferson Awards were established to honor individ-uals for their achievements and contributions through public and community service in order to inspire and encourage others to get involved. The recipients are ordinary people who do extraordi-nary things with-out expectation of recognition or reward. WJTV12, the local sponsor for Mississippi, re-cently chose Russell Morrison as one of twelve state finalists. Russell Morrison is a “champion” for the mission of Mississippi Food Network and meets all the criteria for the award. He is a regular at Volunteer Saturday and is a donor through his t-shirt company, S.O. Terec. For each t-shirt sold, Russell donates $1 to Mississippi Food Net-work. Thank you Russell, and congratulations!

Entergy Mississippi Partners with MFN in a Lightbulb Moment

Entergy Mississippi volunteers joined Mississippi Food Network representatives to distribute 26,000 ENERGY STAR ®-certified compact fluorescent bulbs destined for food pantries across the state. The bulbs, donated by the utility through its Energy Solutions energy-efficiency program, will light about 6,500 low-income Mississippi homes, reducing those families’ energy costs and freeing up limited resources for other necessities.

Entergy has a long history of support with Mississippi Food Network and this donation is another way they are helping. Providing CFLs to customers of Mississippi Food Network and Entergy will help them reduce their electricity usage, which reduces electricity costs. The CFL bulbs last up to 10 times longer than regular bulbs and use about 75 percent less energy.

Thank you Entergy for your continued partnership. Thanks also to Jackson Mayor, Tony Yarber, for his support of this project.

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Did you know that for the cost of a cup of coffee every day you could help provide food to people facing food insecurity by becoming a Mississippi Food Network monthly donor? It is easy, it is convenient, and it is a way to help provide a consistent cash flow for our organization.You ask, “Why would I want to be a monthly donor?” lWhen you commit to a monthly gift, you can budget lNo more mail solicitations when you become a your finances and plan your future. monthly donor. You will receive only our newsletterlIt is easy to track your donations. With monthly to continue to show how your gifts are helping to giving, we mail a yearly giving statement for tax make a difference. purposes in January, or any time you request. lIt is important and helps you ensure no more risk of lIt is easy – we charge your credit card on the 5th of forgetting to make that important gift. each month.

Visit our website today at www.msfoodnet.org; or call Marilyn Blackledge at 601-973-7086.

Local Pantry Reaches OutReverend Doctor Robert Denmark, pictured below, makes the trek in the church van from Carthage, MS, to Mississippi Food Network once a month. For each trip he picks up enough food to help feed 150 people in the Center Hill Missionary Baptist Church community.

Rev. Denmark started the Center Hill Church Pantry four years ago. He said it grew out of the need in the community. “Nearly half of the people we serve are non-church members,” he says. “When we started, we were serving 50 people per month. That has now grown to 150, because it became apparent early on that we had people living within the shadow of our church who were also suffering from hunger. Many of these people had jobs, but the jobs were low-paying. I had people tell me that their medicines cost $400 per month and their monthly income was $700. We did the math,” he added, “and knew that they did not have much left over, if any, even for food.

“I had a lot of folks in the community who initially said ‘No, thanks’ to our service, mainly out of pride. Now I get calls from the same families saying that they are hungry, and asking for our help. It is our responsibility as a church to help them get food.”

He also added that the pantry is regularly staffed by six or seven church members, who are also members of the Pastor’s Aide Society, a group that reaches out into the community to offer assistance, whenever and wherever they can.

MFN has some 415 member agencies that helped us distribute over 20 million pounds of food last year to individuals and families that were hungry and food insecure in Mississippi. Without dedicated volun-teers like Rev. Denmark and his congregation at Center Hill, we simply would not be able to help the thousands of folks in our state who need us. In that regard, we offer our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Rev. Denmark and every one of our individuals, churches, organizations and agencies that help make up Mississippi Food Network.

Making A Difference – Monthly Giving

Have you seen one of our trucks on the road? Our drivers are on the road up to eight hours most weekdays, and last year they logged 125,000 miles, using $85,000 in fuel. They helped to distribute 20 million pounds of food to those in need.

14Volunteers Make A Difference!

HOBY (Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership) youth group volunteers with us each summer. High school juniors throughout the state attend the leadership conference held in Jackson, which includes volun-teering in the local community to give back. This year we had 62 students and 9 leaders to fill 1,000 30-pound boxes with shelf-stable foods for our agencies. Thank you for giving back and helping Mississippians.

Recently 30 young ladies from the Magnolia Girls Law Camp volunteered with us. These girls come from all over Mississip-pi each summer to Jackson to take part in this camp and learn about leadership and giving back to help their neighbors. The girls filled 400 boxes for the agencies in our service area. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you next summer!

Members of Word of Life Church in Flowood, MS, spent two days of their designated volunteer week helping to pack food boxes at MFN. Collectively, the group filled 1,000 boxes! They had a great time knowing that the boxes they were filling would help seniors all across the state of Mississippi. Thank you for choosing MFN to be part of your volunteer week.

Kahn Family Travels from California to Help MississippiansYou never know where volunteers come from to help your organiza-tion. This summer the Kahn family traveled from California and helped pack food boxes as part of their family vacation. After their 13-year-old daughter chose a hunger project for school and researched some of the hungriest states, the family decided to travel and volunteer in Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi. Thank you Kahn family for donating your time and also for your monetary gift. You helped make a difference in Mississippi.

Follow Us On Twitter http://twitter.com/MSFoodNet

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According to project organizer, Charles ‘Bart’ Simpson, “In the fall of 1989, 19 young boys, from various parts of the country, met on the campus of Jackson State University. In the spring of 1990 they all became members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.” Simpson said, “Twenty-five years later those same young boys, now grown men, still know the value and purpose of serving the community, a value that is stressed by our fraternity.”

It was Simpson who contacted MFN about the possibility of his group of “Line Brothers” coming to do a com-munity service project. Members of the group came out one Friday morning and packed 5,550 pounds of food that was distributed throughout Mississippi to needy individuals and families.

Simpson added that as a part of the group’s celebration of its 25th Anniver-sary of becoming members of Kappa

Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., they selected MFN as a community service project so that current undergraduate members of Kappa Alpha Psi at JSU would see them still serving the community some 25 years later.

“We want to be good role models,” said Simpson. “The Last 19 Living Legends,” as his group is called, “plans to serve again at MFN and will con-tinue to serve the community in the years to come,” he said.

Volunteers Make A Difference!

Are You or Your Group Interested in Volunteering? If so, contact Stacey Cain at 601-973-7089 or scain@msfoodnet.org.

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Volunteers Make A Difference--Volunteer Saturday!

We average approximately 50,000 community service hours annually from our volunteers.THANK YOU!

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17Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Sets New Record

The summer months are a hard time for many Mississippi families, because it means more mouths to feed and larger grocery bills. In 2013, over 70% of Mississippi’s students received free and reduced price meals at school. For families facing financial difficul-ties or other pressures, these school meals often free up much-needed resources.

During the summer months, however, these meals are not available and many families face the added stress of providing food for their children each day.

The Mississippi Food Network is working to alleviate this burden by providing meals and snacks to children during the summer months through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The SFSP campaign is a USDA pro-gram designed to provide meals to children during the summer months. MFN has been a SFSP sponsor since 2008.

In 2015, through a partnership with 19 local nonprofit organizations, MFN was able to serve 49,686 meals during the months of June and July.

Thank you to our partner sites, staff, and volunteers who worked so hard to make this program available to the children in their communities.

The 2015 Summer Food Service Program saw a

53% increase in the number of meals served!

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Send your tax deductible contribution to: Mississippi Food Network l P. O. Box 411 l Jackson, MS 39205or donate online at: www.msfoodnet.org

Hunger Action MonthTM Dubbed SpoontemberTM!Our national partner, Feeding America, kicked off Hunger Action MonthTM, held annually in September, and launched a new concept for 2015...SpoontemberTM. The spoon is an inherent link to food--a symbol of not always having food, and the millions of

Americans facing this issue. Mississippi Food Network em-braced this concept wholeheart-edly, and was soon busy soliciting participants. SpoontemberTM supporters were asked to share a ‘spoon selfie’--an image of them-selves balancing a spoon on their

nose, and to challenge friends to do the same. MFN further added to the excitement by providing a variety of props in addition to the spoon for the SpoontemberTM supporters. Here are just some of the many photos of our SpoontemberTM recruits!

Enjoy!

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Mississippi Food Network is a

501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Your gifts are tax deductible.

SpoontemberTM Fun! continued

P. O. Box 411Jackson, MS 39205www.msfoodnet.org

NonprofitU.S. Postage

PAIDJackson, MS

Permit No. 865

HOLD A FOOD DRIVE with your church, office,

or other group.CONTACT US at

601-973-7089

Do you shop at Kroger? You can support Mississippi Food Network with your Kroger Rewards Card. It is easy – just link your Kroger Rewards Card to Mississippi Food Network at krogercommunityrewards.com. If you have never registered your card, you will have to sign up, but it is free. Sign up today.

krogercommunityrewards.com

Are you an Amazon shopper? Did you know you can sign up for Amazon Smile, select Missis-sippi Food Network and help us receive a donation of 0.5% of the purchase price? It is easy to register at http://smile.amazon.com/ and then start shopping!

http://smile.amazon.com/

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