It all began with a bag of tea, a box of cereal and a lifestyle based on giving and a sense of community. This, combined with a great partnership between Golden Temple, the Ulum Group and FOOD for Lane County, launches Eugene and Lane County into a fundraising marathon that will last through June 2009.
The Sharing Food, Awakening Goodness project aims to involve the entire community in feeding 1.5 million people.
“Being a company that works with food, it was a natural partnership with FOOD for Lane County,” said Ellisa Brown, associate brand manager for Golden Temple, a local natural cereal and tea company. And by partnering with the Ulum Group, an Oregon public relations firm, the goals seemed attainable.
Deb McGeorge, food resource developer for the FOOD for Lane County, explained that the goal of this project is to raise 44,000 pounds of food. This is part of an ultimate goal to increase Lane County’s food and funding by 20 percent.
It is quite an increase from last year, where 250,00 servings were met, Brown said. “It’s a big jump,” she added with a note of enthusiasm.
“The 20 percent increase is a really aggressive goal,” McGeorge said. “It’ll make a real dent in this economic crisis. However, it’s possible. And this is because we have created so many opportunities for involvement.”
The Sharing Food, Awakening Goodness project contacts local business owners with pledge cards, asking them to donate either food, money or time. There are myriad ways to contribute to the project.
One allows restaurant owners to designate an item on their menu from which they will donate a portion of the profits to Food for Lane County. Individuals or groups of people can volunteer their time to help repack food, hold a fundraiser or food drive, or prepare meals to be used at FOOD for Lane County’s kitchen.
The Sharing Food, Awakening Goodness project has planned major fundraising events for the next seven months, including the Village Holiday Celebration and Chefs’ Night Out, where local restaurants offer samples of their menu to ticket buyers. The event is scheduled for April 15 at the Hult Center.
Brown considers the University as a business for the purposes of the project. “Although this drive is geared more towards local businesses, an individual can make a difference,” she said.
Those involved in the project passionately describe the necessity for this fundraiser to happen now. As reported by The Register-Guard, John Radich, Oregon Department of Human Services manager for Lane County, said, “If things keep up, in a year, we’ll have 18 percent of the people in Lane County on food stamps.” It’s statistics like those that FOOD for Lane County and its partner associations hope will inspire people to get involved.
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