Greetings From Channel One!

Upcoming FoodShare Events

During the March FoodShare campaign, food shelves across the state are challenged to raise food and funds for their food shelf. Food shelves are then allocated a portion of the "Food Fund" that Minnesota FoodShare has raised throughout the year, based on the amount of food and funds that we collect, the greater the share of the "Food Fund" we will receive. March is the only time during the yar that we can leverage additional donations through your support.

Here are some ways you can get involved!

5 A Day 5 K This is a 5K race that will be held on March 13th, registration begins at 8am and the race begins at 9am at the Running Room. Registration is only $10 and a non-perishable food item. For more information check out www.5aDay5K.org.

ABC 6 Super Hero Contest and Drive By Food Drive ABC 6 News is sponsoring a monthy-long contest to name the new Channel One Super Hero pictured here. Votes for the best name will be collected until March 27th, when ABC 6 News staff will hold their second annual Drive-By Food Drive at all three Rochester Hy-Vee stores. Food will be collected from 10am to 2pm. the winning name will be announced on ABC 6 News on Monday, March 29th. The winner will get a $200 gift certificate to Hy-Vee. For more information about the Super Hero Contest check out ABC 6 News.

Eastwood Bank Food and Fund Drive Eastwood Bank is holding a Food and Fund Drive for Channel One. Please bring your non-perishable food items or a cash donation to any Rochester Eastwood bank location and register to win an Eastwood Bank Visa Gift Card. Five $100 gift cards will be given away. One prize registration per customer per day. Cash donations should be made by check payable to Channel One. Winning registrations will be drawn on Friday, April 2nd.

Denim Days Ask your place of work if you can host a Denim Day in March to benefit Channel One. Denim Days can be any day or days that you choose in March. Businesses throughout Olmsted County are invited to participate by having employees “purchase” a casual dress day for $5. At Channel One, we are able to distribute enough food to provide five meals for every dollar donated. That means that each time someone participates in Denim Days that helps us provide 25 meals! For more information contact Julie Christensen at 507-424-1705 or email her at juliechristensen@channel-one.org.

To learn more about Minnesota FoodShare click here or to make a donation to support our Minnesota FoodShare campaign click here.

St. Charles Food Drop

The fire and subsequent closing of North Star Foods in St. Charles, along with closing of Utica’s poultry processing plant has left many in the small community of St. Charles struggling, with families left without jobs and in need of assistance.

In response, Channel One staff delivered 8,000 pounds of food to clients at the St. Charles food shelf on February 2.

About fifty families were given approximately 100 pounds of food each. The remaining food was left at the food shelf for families who were unable to attend that day. Recipients were extremely grateful and expressed their appreciation to staff and volunteers, letting them know how much the food meant to them.

Volunteer Spotlight

When you enjoy keeping yourself busy like Jerry Hanson, it’s no wonder he turned to volunteer work after his retirement in 2008. Jerry, who owned and operated a lawn care service for 25 years, knows the ins and outs of hard work. Jerry came to Channel One in 2008 looking for something to fill in his newfound gaps of time and Channel One did not disappoint.

Jerry started volunteering once a week in the food shelf stocking shelves and assisting clients with their shopping. Now he volunteers twice a week on both Tuesdays and Thursdays and is most often seen working in the cooler and freezer making sure they are fully stocked for clients.

Last year Jerry also recruited his wife, Kathy, to join the Channel One team. Kathy volunteers in the intake area checking clients into the food shelf on Tuesdays. “Kathy is great with clients,” intake staff member Ursula says, “she is always polite and kind and a delight to work with.”

Kathy is a retired registered nurse who worked in the OB department for many years and then headed the Mayo Clinic Pregnancy Advisor Program. When she isn’t volunteering at Channel One Kathy enjoys quilting, scrapbooking, knitting and reading.

In the summer months Jerry and Kathy enjoy the outdoors as often as they can. They travel to Grantsburg, WI where they camp, hike, bird watch, bike and enjoy nature. Their four grandchildren also keep them on their toes. Both Kathy and Jerry like watching college basketball and other sporting events. These are two people who genuinely enjoy life and Channel One is proud to have them on the volunteer team!