Share Our Strength's National E-Bulletin
December 2002
"Share Our Strength has helped ACCION New York deliver high quality financial products and services to low-income entrepreneurs for several years. Thanks to Share Our Strength, we have reached more struggling small businesspeople than we previously thought possible -- and gained valuable exposure in the process." - ACCION New York
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In this issue:
1. Operation Frontline-Massachusetts Awarded $198,000 Grant
2. Welcome Jenn-Air as New Co-Presenting Sponsor of Taste of the Nation!
3. Share Our Strength Grantee ACCION New York Makes a Difference for Small Businesses
4. The Timberland Company and illy caffè Share the Warmth of the Holiday Season
5. Fait Touts for Everyone!
6. Say "I Do" and Do Some Good
7. Fight Hunger with Flowers
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1. Operation Frontline-Massachusetts Awarded $198,000 Grant
Operation Frontline-Massachusetts was recently awarded a $198,000 grant, as a result of the Massachusetts Vitamin Litigation Settlement. The funds have been granted for use in the state of Massachusetts to provide translation, printing and interpretation services for all of our curricula, into many languages, and to help defray associated program costs. This grant will enable us to reach various populations of non-English speaking families at-risk of hunger throughout the state, for the first time ever!
We are excited at this opportunity to be able to increase the number of people we serve throughout the state. It's a lot of work for the upcoming year, but it's good, important work. This grant is restricted to a very specific set of functions, so we're still going to need to your help in supporting our ongoing classes and fundraising efforts. To learn more about the Settlement, visit http://www.massvitaminlitigation.com.
2. Welcome Jenn-Air as New Co-Presenting Sponsor of Taste of the Nation!
Taste of the Nation "season" is just around the corner and, with it, a new co-presenting sponsor, Jenn-Air. They join Co-Presenting Sponsor American Express, a long-standing supporter of Taste of the Nation and Share Our Strength.
Jenn-Air is a brand in the family of Maytag appliances, which also includes Amana and Hoover. Known for their high quality, high performance products, Jenn-Air crafts its appliances with the kind of inspirational quality that can enhance the entire cooking experience and turn it into an adventure.
"We're very excited about our partnership with Jenn-Air," said Bill Shore, founder and executive director of Share Our Strength. "By helping us raise awareness and funds to in the fight to end hunger, Jenn-Air is making an investment that will be deeply felt by the people facing food insecurity and poverty at home and abroad."
Those interested in learning more about Jenn-Air can visit http://www.jennair.com.
3. Share Our Strength Grantee ACCION New York Makes a Difference for Small Businesses
ACCION New York is committed to working with self-employed individuals who lack access to traditional forms of business credit. By providing credit and other support services to "micro" entrepreneurs, ACCION New York seeks to increase business and family incomes, create jobs and revitalize the economically disenfranchised neighborhoods of New York City and Long Island.
In 2002, ACCION New York continued to extend credit and business support services to hundreds of struggling small businesspeople across the area. Through enhanced provision of our signature lending initiative, Street Reach, we made 367 loans and provided advice and referrals to hundreds of additional entrepreneurs.
In 2002, ACCION New York also kept serving those lower Manhattan entrepreneurs most severely affected by the September 11th disaster. Through our specialized American Dream Fund program, we disabused over $2.6 million worth of low-interest grant-matched loans to 232 small businesspeople. In conjunction with partner organizations, we also provided the training and technical assistance these borrowers needed to rebuild their businesses, fix their finances and regain their clientele.
ACCION New York laid the groundwork for providing micro finance to hundreds more entrepreneurs with our successful Hempstead pilot project. By disbursing loans, partnering with local organizations and hosting orientations and informational events, we lent over $100,000 on Long Island this year. For more information, please visit http://www.accionnewyork.org.
4. The Timberland Company and illy caffè Share the Warmth of the Holiday Season
Just in time for the holidays, The Timberland Company and illy caffè North America have unveiled a gift that gives twice. This unique gift package is designed to add warmth to the holidays while also helping fight hunger. A significant portion of the proceeds from the gift package is being donated to Share Our Strength, one of the nation's leading anti-hunger organizations, to help fight childhood hunger. The gift pack includes two snowflake mugs and an 8.8 oz canister of illy medium roast espresso coffee wrapped in a decorative snowflake designed gift box. The gift pack retails for $20 and is now available at Timberland Specialty Retail Stores, select Timberland Outlet Stores and at http://www.timberland.com, while supplies last. Visit http://strength.org/learn/press/holiday_02.htm to learn about more gifts that give twice.
For information about all of Share Our Strength's holiday shopping partners, visit http://www.strength.org/learn/holiday_02.htm.
5. Fait Touts for Everyone!
Emile Henry and Sur La Table have joined together this holiday season in an effort to fight hunger with Share Our Strength. French for 'makes everything,' the Fait Tout is a 4-quart French stew pan or casserole that can go from oven to table. For every Fait Tout sold at Sur La Table stores nationwide between Oct. and Dec. 2002, $5 will be donated to Share Our Strength. Each Fait Tout includes recipe for 5-spice chicken from Tom Douglas, a Share Our Strength chef from Seattle. For more information or to order a Fait Tout, visit http://www.surlatable.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=9936.
6. Say "I Do" and Do Some Good
Now couples can share some of the joy and generosity of their weddings with charitable organizations such as Share Our Strength. The I Do Foundation provides engaged couples with costless and convenient charitable giving options at their wedding. Couples can create a bridal registry through the I Do Foundation and up to 6% of the money spent on gifts will be donated to charity at no additional cost to the couple or their guests. Couples can also create an easy online option for their guests to make donations directly to Share Our Strength in place of traditional wedding gifts. For more information or to register, visit http://www.idofoundation.org/cgi-bin/nposummary.cgi?NonProfitID=139.
7. Fight Hunger with Flowers
Remember loved ones this holiday season and help fight hunger at the same time! Share Our Strength has partnered with 1-800-FLOWERS.COM® so that 10%* of net proceeds from your purchase will be donated to the fight against hunger.
It's easy, just go online at http://www.1-800-FLOWERS.com and use promotion code STRENGTH when ordering (type in code STRENGTH under "Promotion Code for Special Offers" on the Billing Information Page), or call 1-800-FLOWERS® (1-800-356-9377) and mention the promotion code to the Gift Advisor when placing your order.
* Items may vary and are subject to delivery rules and times. Offer valid online and by phone. Offers can not be combined, are not available on all products, and are subject to restrictions and limitations. Offer valid through 11/01/03. Void where prohibited. © 2002 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, INC.
Chef2Chef News Desk