I feel like I've been in a whirlwind of highways, information and new faces this past week. The beginning of last week wasn't too bad. Monday and Tuesday I spent in the office working on finding more training sites for the OBB in my area as well as working on a community resource directory that could not only serve clients in all areas but also serve as a way to find more member agencies for the Freestore Foodbank and more sites for OBB. On Wednesday, Brooke (the other Freestore *Vista) and myself headed over t0 the GE Aviation Learning Center bright and early for a breakfast meeting. We set up a booth with all sorts of information about all of the various programs that the Freestore Foodbank offers. It's a long list and it took us a while to get our elevator speech down below 5 minutes, haha. We handed out fliers about each program, including our own! We also sat in on a presentation at which John Young (CEO of the Freestore Foodbank) gave a speech. It was a powerful speech and served as more inspiration for the work Brooke and I are doing!
On Thursday, I had a training in Portsmouth. I was determined to be on time to this one. So I stayed at my parent's house, which is closer, and left at 6 am...Well I ended up being a half an hour early. But that was okay. I scoped out the town a little and set up the room before anyone got there. It seemed to go alright, but the room was very hot! We ended a little early despite some good questions. And on my way home I noticed a miniature horse farm (If anyone else is a fan of Rob and Big they understand my excitement at seeing this) and 'Frank's Deer Urine'. Yummy! I was glad I got home a little early that night because it happened to be my anniversary that day and my boyfriend and I had reservations for a fancy Korean restaurant in Covington, Ky!
Friday ended up being a half day for me because I had put in quite a few hours with all my traveling and I worked on quite a few things in the morning. Monday and Tuesday again were kind of quiet. I did end up sitting on an Agency Relations meeting on Tuesday that took up most of my afternoon. I really like the department I work with here at the Foodbank and it was good to see how they work together.
Yesterday, I accompanied the Agency Relations team as well as Mary Sehlhorst (Brooke's supervisor), Julie-Smith Morrow (Vice President of the Foodbank), and Kathy from OASHF on a trip to Peebles, Ohio for a USDA meeting. They updated FSFB member agencies on changes to USDA food distribution policy and made sure the rules were clear. At the end Mary and I introduced ourselves and gave a very brief overview of both of the projects we are working on. I am hoping that this was a good way to jump start some more interest in the OBB (as well as the Capacity Development Center).
Tomorrow, I will be tabling at the Quacky Race on Fountain Square. I plan on taking pictures of all the silly duck costumes that I see. I will be sure to post them here. And hopefully, I will have plugged the OBB to lots and lots of people!!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Family and *Vista
This post touches on a somewhat sensitive subject for me. My family and their opinion of my year of service. Now, don't get me wrong my family is supportive. And my parents/little sister are amazing and back me up in every way. It's the extended part of my family that I feel misunderstands some of my reasons and explanations for my service.
Now, my family is always there for me. I come from a tight knit Southern family. But they don't really seem to understand my decisions. They are more conservative in their thinking and sometimes I find it really difficult. The other day I was trying to explain the Ohio Benefit Bank and how it can really help Ohioans as a whole. I explained how it returns unclaimed federal dollars to the local economy and how this could really benefit people from all economic backgrounds. But it seemed to fall on deaf ears. Nobody outright told me they disagreed but simply shifted uncomfortably in their chairs and didn't say much at all. That's not easy to take!
It's the feeling that nobody really gets what I'm doing that starts to bother me. They don't understand why I spent all that money on a small liberal arts college. Especially now that I'm not really making any money as a *Vista. But I see things differently. I see this as a chance to do something I am passionate about and build my skills so I can better serve the community. I feel that even in the past month I have expanded my skill set and know more resources for fighting poverty. Sometimes it's just hard knowing that the people who should know you the best, don't really appreciate everything that you do.
This actually leads me into a story about something that happened to me a few weeks ago that I will post for people just to think about. It revolves around the same misconceptions about *Vista service. I was out with a few of my old friends from a few summers back when we ran into a guy one of my friends knew. It turned out that he was serving in the Army. He was telling us some interesting stories and he was a really nice guy. He decided to leave and as he left one of the girls I was with said "Thank you for your service to our country!". At the time I thought nothing of it. But found out later that he in fact hated being a solider and regretted his decision. I thought to myself, isn't it ironic that she praised someone who hated his service and barely acknowledged my service to America as a *Vista. It's just interesting how people view service to our country based on their own values.
Now, my family is always there for me. I come from a tight knit Southern family. But they don't really seem to understand my decisions. They are more conservative in their thinking and sometimes I find it really difficult. The other day I was trying to explain the Ohio Benefit Bank and how it can really help Ohioans as a whole. I explained how it returns unclaimed federal dollars to the local economy and how this could really benefit people from all economic backgrounds. But it seemed to fall on deaf ears. Nobody outright told me they disagreed but simply shifted uncomfortably in their chairs and didn't say much at all. That's not easy to take!
It's the feeling that nobody really gets what I'm doing that starts to bother me. They don't understand why I spent all that money on a small liberal arts college. Especially now that I'm not really making any money as a *Vista. But I see things differently. I see this as a chance to do something I am passionate about and build my skills so I can better serve the community. I feel that even in the past month I have expanded my skill set and know more resources for fighting poverty. Sometimes it's just hard knowing that the people who should know you the best, don't really appreciate everything that you do.
This actually leads me into a story about something that happened to me a few weeks ago that I will post for people just to think about. It revolves around the same misconceptions about *Vista service. I was out with a few of my old friends from a few summers back when we ran into a guy one of my friends knew. It turned out that he was serving in the Army. He was telling us some interesting stories and he was a really nice guy. He decided to leave and as he left one of the girls I was with said "Thank you for your service to our country!". At the time I thought nothing of it. But found out later that he in fact hated being a solider and regretted his decision. I thought to myself, isn't it ironic that she praised someone who hated his service and barely acknowledged my service to America as a *Vista. It's just interesting how people view service to our country based on their own values.
Friday, August 14, 2009
4 weeks in...
Yesterday, I gave my very first training with Meredith observing. It went pretty well...at least I hope it did! I did get lost on the way there, which never helps. But once I got settled in the training was actually quite fun! I like the experience of helping counselors. It was great knowing that once I was done training them they could go right out and start helping clients. I trained 6 counselors from a few different organizations. We actually finished a little bit early despite lots of good questions from the counselors!
Lately, I've also been working on identifying potential sites for OBB as well as for member agencies for the Freestore Foodbank. It is a little hard sometimes doing both. For example, in my work with Freestore Foodbank I will be working with agencies in Kentucky and Indiana where the benefit bank has not been set up. It just makes things a little more confusing! I've also been trying to find sites in some of my rural Ohio counties (Scioto, Pike, Highland, Adams, Brown, etc) and even the more urban ones to have more trainings. If anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate them!
Also, I've done some exciting things with Anita (my supervisior) lately. My very first day, in fact, we did a mobile food pantry out in Greenfield, Ohio. It was great! In case you haven't heard of the mobile food pantry, it is a service that allows food distribution in any area. The refrigerated truck that is used was donated to the Freestore and can be set up for distrubtion in a parking lot/driveway/etc. Last week, I also went on a site visit to a food pantry that's just getting started in Newport, KY. It was a good experience to see what it's like to start a pantry and all that goes into the process.
It's crazy to think I've worked 4 work weeks (including all of my travel to trainings in Columbus and Indianapolis). The time has been flying by so quickly! I'm really glad that I've settled into my place at the Freestore Foodbank and that my work with the Ohio Benefit Bank is starting to really pick up. I'm excited to see where everything leads!
Lately, I've also been working on identifying potential sites for OBB as well as for member agencies for the Freestore Foodbank. It is a little hard sometimes doing both. For example, in my work with Freestore Foodbank I will be working with agencies in Kentucky and Indiana where the benefit bank has not been set up. It just makes things a little more confusing! I've also been trying to find sites in some of my rural Ohio counties (Scioto, Pike, Highland, Adams, Brown, etc) and even the more urban ones to have more trainings. If anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate them!
Also, I've done some exciting things with Anita (my supervisior) lately. My very first day, in fact, we did a mobile food pantry out in Greenfield, Ohio. It was great! In case you haven't heard of the mobile food pantry, it is a service that allows food distribution in any area. The refrigerated truck that is used was donated to the Freestore and can be set up for distrubtion in a parking lot/driveway/etc. Last week, I also went on a site visit to a food pantry that's just getting started in Newport, KY. It was a good experience to see what it's like to start a pantry and all that goes into the process.
It's crazy to think I've worked 4 work weeks (including all of my travel to trainings in Columbus and Indianapolis). The time has been flying by so quickly! I'm really glad that I've settled into my place at the Freestore Foodbank and that my work with the Ohio Benefit Bank is starting to really pick up. I'm excited to see where everything leads!
Monday, August 10, 2009
A Target Experience
So, I was inspired by Kaitlyn Baker's blog and I've decided to start this record of my experiences as an AmeriCorps *Vista. For anyone who doesn't know, I'm currently serving at the Freestore Foodbank in Cincinnati, Ohio. I am a community trainer for the Ohio Benefit Bank along with other duties at the foodbank.
I wanted to start out this blog with an interesting experience from this past Saturday. I had been reading Kaitlyn's blog and saw that Target stores accept food stamps. I was very excited to see that since Target is one of my guilty pleasures. So, after going out to lunch with my parents on Saturday I stopped by Target to pick up a few little groceries. However, before I did any heavy shopping I wanted to make sure that they would definitely take my food stamps. (My mom said she would pick up the tab if they wouldn't take my food stamps. But I am determined not to let my parents pay for my things any longer!)
So I walked on up to the guest services counter. There was a young guy working the counter and I asked him if they accepted food stamps and flashed my shiny new Ohio Direction card. He said, "You know I'm not sure, but I'll ask someone!". He then called a manger on his radio. She didn't respond. So he called over another young guy who appeared to be a shift leader of some sort. This guy wasn't sure either so he suggested that the young guy helping me call "Jason" on the radio...but use channel 4. (From my work at an amusement park, I'm assuming this channel is a "private" channel that wouldn't be broadcast to the whole store). Well "Jason" had a very interesting response to my question. He said "No, we do not take food stamps. But we can take the EBT card". Umm, What?? So you do take them? Or you don't? There aren't paper food stamps anymore, which I'm assuming this manager didn't know...so I just guessed that they did in fact take them.
Well, I continued shopping and picked up a few things. Then I went up to the register and the woman rang up my items. I put my card into the reader and waited a second. The cashier said "Umm, I don't think that worked". But on the touch pad it prompted me 'Would you like to charge this to food or cash?" And I proceeded the way I had at Kroger a few days before. Then the transcation went through and printed out my reciept. Easy enough. I then decided to let the shift leader know that it had worked. I told him that indeed they do take food stamps and that they just run it through like a regular debit card, since there are no longer paper food stamps. He seemed very embarrassed and said that he was unaware that it all came on the EBT card these days. I simply said "Yeah, most people don't realize that. Just wanted to let you know!".
On the one hand, I felt kind of good that I had shown this particular Target how to use food stamps and that way more people might be able to get groceries and hey, it'll make more money for the Target too. But on the other hand, it was also kind of disheartening that they didn't know anything about food stamps - and they sell groceries! Admittedly, I wasn't at a Target in a low income area but still! And I'll admit, it was a little embarrassing going through all that drama just for a few groceries. I went to Kroger yesterday and bought all my groceries for the next two weeks and didn't face any of this embarrassment or difficulty. Just some food for thought.
I wanted to start out this blog with an interesting experience from this past Saturday. I had been reading Kaitlyn's blog and saw that Target stores accept food stamps. I was very excited to see that since Target is one of my guilty pleasures. So, after going out to lunch with my parents on Saturday I stopped by Target to pick up a few little groceries. However, before I did any heavy shopping I wanted to make sure that they would definitely take my food stamps. (My mom said she would pick up the tab if they wouldn't take my food stamps. But I am determined not to let my parents pay for my things any longer!)
So I walked on up to the guest services counter. There was a young guy working the counter and I asked him if they accepted food stamps and flashed my shiny new Ohio Direction card. He said, "You know I'm not sure, but I'll ask someone!". He then called a manger on his radio. She didn't respond. So he called over another young guy who appeared to be a shift leader of some sort. This guy wasn't sure either so he suggested that the young guy helping me call "Jason" on the radio...but use channel 4. (From my work at an amusement park, I'm assuming this channel is a "private" channel that wouldn't be broadcast to the whole store). Well "Jason" had a very interesting response to my question. He said "No, we do not take food stamps. But we can take the EBT card". Umm, What?? So you do take them? Or you don't? There aren't paper food stamps anymore, which I'm assuming this manager didn't know...so I just guessed that they did in fact take them.
Well, I continued shopping and picked up a few things. Then I went up to the register and the woman rang up my items. I put my card into the reader and waited a second. The cashier said "Umm, I don't think that worked". But on the touch pad it prompted me 'Would you like to charge this to food or cash?" And I proceeded the way I had at Kroger a few days before. Then the transcation went through and printed out my reciept. Easy enough. I then decided to let the shift leader know that it had worked. I told him that indeed they do take food stamps and that they just run it through like a regular debit card, since there are no longer paper food stamps. He seemed very embarrassed and said that he was unaware that it all came on the EBT card these days. I simply said "Yeah, most people don't realize that. Just wanted to let you know!".
On the one hand, I felt kind of good that I had shown this particular Target how to use food stamps and that way more people might be able to get groceries and hey, it'll make more money for the Target too. But on the other hand, it was also kind of disheartening that they didn't know anything about food stamps - and they sell groceries! Admittedly, I wasn't at a Target in a low income area but still! And I'll admit, it was a little embarrassing going through all that drama just for a few groceries. I went to Kroger yesterday and bought all my groceries for the next two weeks and didn't face any of this embarrassment or difficulty. Just some food for thought.
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