Santa’s Coming this Friday!

A sneak peek at Triangle Towne Center getting ready for Santa’s arrival Friday night.

Santa’s coming to town for the Food Shuttle!

This Friday, November 6th, be sure to come out to Triangle Towne Center for Santa’s arrival at 7:00pm and the launch of the Santa Feeds America campaign that will encourage holiday shoppers to donate non-perishable food to be used in our BackPack Buddies program!

This BackPack Buddies Food drive will run until December 24th at both Triangle Town Center and Cary Towne Center. As an additional incentive, Cherry Hill Photo is offering a $2 discount on the Family Photo Packages if folks bring by a food donation! Drop off food in the bins where Santa is located at the mall, and you’ll be helping to ensure that some kids on free or reduced lunch programs at school won’t go hungry this season.

While you are out shopping, don’t forget to pick up a copy of  Bob Dylan’s album Christmas in the Heart! Everyone enjoyed the new tunes at our listening party last month on the album release day. Plus, Dylan has chosen to give all the US royalties to Feeding America.

Hope to see you this Friday at Triangle Town Center for Santa’s arrival at 7!

Driving Hunger from the Community

Last week’s Driving Hunger from the Community event was a lovely intimate night at the Ingram Collection. Inter-Faith Food Shuttle wants to extend a sincere thank you to Bob and Jeanie Ingram, Rory Ingram, and Cam Ingram for such a splendid evening!

Kim Brennan, Kim Brame McGimsey- Board Chair, Jeanie Ingram, Steve Monti, Tiffany Edwards

Stan Taylor, Jill Staton Bullard, Rory Ingram, David Reese, Will Hall

Dena and Charles Silver

Chris and Jessica Gotwalt

Food Shuttle and the ‘Canes

Sometimes people ask us, “What’s it like to work at the Food Shuttle?”  Well, it’s great. The Food Shuttle staff is a truly talented, dedicated and fun bunch.(See the whole cast of characters here. Get to know some of them better here.) Plus, we know the work we do makes an impact for good on many people and communities. What could be better?

But still, sometimes we need a break. Not from innovative solutions to hunger, but just a break from the daily grind. A little pick me up.  We got that and more last night at the RBC Center.  The Carolina Hurricanes, in addition to being the 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, are also champions in the community. Their Kids ‘N Community Foundation helps area non-profits like the Food Shuttle continue and expand their work.  Read more about the foundation here.

We were thrilled when we learned they had selected IFFS to receive support to feed hungry children. And last night during intermission of the ‘Canes-St. Louis Game, the Food Shuttle and other area non-profits were presented checks from the Kids ‘N Community Foundation. Read more about it here. On top of that, the ‘Canes had the Food Shuttle staff out to watch the game, on the house.

We all had a blast. Just the nice shake-up we needed. Cece took a few pictures on her iphone(!). Check them out below.  Thanks again to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Kids ‘N Communitity Foundation and a special thanks to Doug Warf, Director of Community Relations for the Carolina Hurricanes and Executive Director of the Kids ‘N Community Foundation.

Who won Couture for a Cause?

We did! Or I should say the dress designed by Tyger Alexis for the Food Shuttle won!  That’s right, out of the many spectacular designs on display, Tyger walked away the winner. Congratulations Tyger and thanks for the hard work you put in.

It was a great night all around. You can read more about it from Lauren Van Hermert, who wrote up a great blog post (with pictures!) of the event. Check it out here.  

And special thanks to ME3 for putting together such a fun, successful event!

 

Very Special Guests

If you spend time with the Food Shuttle, you’ll hear us talk about the Food Shuttle Family. It’s not a cliche, some very special bonds form when you take part in the amazing process of feeding people. An incredible thing about the Food Shuttle is that everyone who gets involved brings someone else. Today two of our staff bought some special guests to help out in the fight against hunger. 

Great recipes from Emeril!

“Good Morning America”  recently joined with Macy’s and Feeding America for the project dubbed “Come Together,” through which people were encouraged to throw dinner parties and invite their guests to donate money to Feeding America. The good fooks at Macy’s matched every dollar that was donated.

“Good Morning America” celebrated the project’s finale with a live Emeril Lagasse dinner dare.  Check it our here.

Couture for a Cause

 

Couture for a Cause

October 23rd, 8-10 pm

 

ME³ is having a fashion show benefit that links up local nonprofits with local designers this Friday at Marbles Kids Museum! The Food Shuttle is honored to be a feature nonprofit for the event!

 

Local designers have been paired with nonprofits and were asked to design a garment that embodied the spirit and mission of the assigned nonprofit organization.

 

Our designer, Tyger, came by the Food Shuttle last week to learn more about the organization and get inspiration for her garment that will be in the fashion show on Friday! We can’t wait to see what she designs! For more details on the event and ticket information go to ME³’s website.

Thanks, Tyger!

Get to know the Food Shuttle Staff: Tonya Post

Name and title: Tonya Post, Director of Programs

 

What does at typical day at IFFS look like for you?

 I oversee the coordination and administration of all aspects of ongoing programs including planning, organizing, leading, and monitoring program activities–that means BackPack Buddies, Hands On Health, Food and Nutrition Services Outreach, etc.  There are no typical days.  I have the pleasure of working with numerous community partners such as Advocates for Health in Action, Partnership for a Healthy Durham, Obesity and Chronic Illness subcommittee, community volunteer groups and funders!  So from delivering lunches to writing reports to building relationships to supporting Food Shuttle staff and leadership I stay busy.

 

How long have you been at the Shuttle?

 Since the fall of 2005

 

What’s your favorite part about working at IFFS?

That all different kinds of people come together here to help their community

 

What did you do before IFFS?

 Early Childhood (Infants and Toddlers!!)

 

What do you like to do when you’re not fighting hunger?

 cook and clean (no, really)

 

Favorite Movie?

 Say Anything with Jon Cusak

 

Your last meal would be?

 ice cream

 

 

Dylan,Christmas and Boylan Bridge

Last night a stunning crowd packed the Boylan Bridge Brewpub to listen to “Christmas in the Heart”, Bob Dylan’s Christmas album. It was great to meet so many people  who think like we do: Hunger is Unacceptable and Bob Dylan is still the coolest guy around.

There will be more of these meetups in the future. Keep checking the Behind the Scenes at the Food Shuttle blog to stay informed. Also, if you haven’t seen it yet, the Food Shuttle website has been redesigned, updated and looks great. Our web guy Nick Brown worked his magic and we love the results. Check it out here.

Here’s a track from the new album. Thanks again!