Agency News Alert

Empty Bowls: The Best Lunch Deal in Town!

February 19, 2010

The NTFB’s longest-running fundraising event, the 11th annual Empty Bowls luncheon, is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, February 19th. Hosted at the Meyerson Symphony Center in the heart of the Dallas Arts District, this event combines delicious food, local artwork, and a musical ambiance to create a unique fundraising experience that directly benefits the Food Bank’s work and mission. Tickets are available for a donation of $30 in advance or $35 at the door, and include a handcrafted bowl as a reminder of your contribution. Call Julie Boehm at 214.431.4683 or visit this link for more details.

IMPORTANT ANNOUCEMENT: ORDERING DATES

When placing a food order on Agency Express, it is very important that you select the correct pick up day for your order. Due to our new system upgrade, if you come to the food bank on a day that is DIFFERENT from what you selected, you WILL NOT be able to pick up your order that day. Unfortunately, we are unable to make exceptions on this issue, so please double check your calendar before submitting your order.

Website Spotlight: “Download a Document”

The “Download a Document” section is one of the most important and useful tools of the Agency Zone webpage for Member Agencies of the NTFB. Search for informative documents, such as forms, guides, applications and fact sheets from 10 different categories of Agency Relations programs! Take a minute to browse through the information by clicking this link or in the Agency Tool Box. Chances are you’ll find something great!

Agency Express Online Shopping System

We encourage our agencies to access the online shopping system through the Agency Zone (AZ) webpage located here. AZ is your one stop to access everything you need as a Member Agency of the North Texas Food Bank and includes important announcements directly from the Agency Relations team. If the AZ page is not accessible for any reason, you can access the online shopping log in page. Thanks for your cooperation!

We Need Your Number!

Member Agencies of the NTFB are reminded to please include their Agency NAME and NUMBER when contacting the Agency Relations team by email or phone. With 291 Member Agencies to keep track of, this information is vital to helping us get back to you in a timely and efficient manner. Thank you!

Get Ready for… Census Awareness Month

This March the NTFB wants your help with Census Awareness Month. Your participation in the Census can directly impact government funding right in your own backyard in the form of hospitals, schools, emergency services and more. Click HERE for more information on how to get involved!

AU Registration is Now Open

Visit the brand new AU website ntfb.org/au for information on how you can become a NTFB star pupil in 2010! Register now for one of our Spring Courses:

· Dietary Habits & Nutrition

· Finance and Accounting Basics

· Fundraising/Marketing 101

· Pantry 101

Free Publicity for your Agency!

The NTFB wants to profile your agency on our blog! The blog is a website with up-to-date stories and features that are available to the general public. Individuals throughout our community can read the blog to stay connected with the Food Bank’s work on a regular basis. If you have a big event coming up, a significant anniversary or big news item, please email our Online Community Builder, Amy McCarthy, at AmyM@ntfb.org to be featured as a current events story. This is a great way to get public recognition for your agency through your partnership with the NTFB!

Grief Seminar for Professionals & Caregivers

Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt will be leading a seminar April 7th entitled “Helping Children & Teens Cope With Grief: A Companioning Philosophy for Caregivers” at the Greenville Ave Church of Christ. Click HERE for registration information.

NTFB 2009 Annual Report

Our Annual Report for 2009 is out! Download a copy at this link. This is a great way to stay up-to-date on what we are doing each year and to follow our Close the Gap Campaign progress. Contact our Director of Philanthropy, Elizabeth Liser (Elizabeth@ntfb.org) if you have any questions.

Media Spotlight

On Feb. 2, 2010, The North Texas Food Bank released the findings of the Hunger in America 2010 study, Hunger in America 2010 is the first comprehensive research study that captures the connection between a weak economy and increased needs for emergency food assistance. The data was collected in the heart of the 2009 economic downturn (February-June 2009). Data was collected through face-to-face interviews with 398 people seeking emergency food at food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding programs, as well as interviews with 222 agencies that provide food assistance. The new numbers are in and The North Texas Food Bank provides emergency food assistance to an estimated 345,600 people annually or, put another way, we serve 64,000 people in any given week-- an 80 percent increase from 2006. Thank you to our Member Agencies for participating in this momentous study!