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President Brewster rang the Rotary bell right at 12:30pm to begin this week’s meeting. Nancy Little gave the invocation and the club sang the My Country Tis of Thee, acapella and led by Mark Hooper (aka the Singing CPA). Lisa Smith delivered the microphone for Rotarians to introduce their guests and visiting Rotarians, well to introduce themselves. We had visitors from the East Lansing and Haslett/Okemos Clubs with Rotary credentials that this lowly scribe could not keep up pace with their lengthy list of titles. We had guests with backgrounds ranging from County Commissioners, real estate development, heating & cooling experts and finally banking specialists. Joe Wald our days speaker, brought the whole team from the Greater Lansing Food Bank, sounds like Joe must have said “lunch is on me today” and everyone signed up. Dick Ammons declared the club generally in good physical health. Sue Mills gave us an update on Michael Harrison, he is residing in assisted living, he is still able to recognize his wife Deborah and is doing as well as can be expected in his battle with Alzheimer’s. While he is not able to see visitors, Sue asked that anyone wishing to share memories of the times with Michael, to send a card or note to Deborah and she will be sure to share your memories with Michael. Melanie Dart gave the club a foundation update regarding our annual Christmas party and fundraiser. The club raised over $8,000 for the celebration and 20 children from the North Elementary School received gifts, in some cases this was the only Christmas gift these children received. A special thank you to Cathy Andrews, Dean Transportation and the staff from the North School was given. Our club received many words of appreciation for all we do for these children. Kevin Schumacher rose to present our new unknown author contest. This contest was credited to Mark Hooper (Kevin’s way of giving himself cover, you know just in case!) as a way to get to know unique things about our Rotary club members. This week’s story appeared in last week’s newsletter and featured a tale, in summary, about an Eagle Scout, a car accident and lifesaving skills being put to use. With a record 14 guesses, 4 of them by Jeff Crippen (all wrong), there were no correct guesses. With that Pat Hanes won the award, since no one could name him as the author. Bob Hoffman gave this week’s social media awards to Hari Kern and Michelle Reynaert. Next up on this busy day Janet Lillie was awarded her new member red badge, welcome to the club. Next up was special music, well not yet, today that was saved for the end of our program. Anne Cauley our chair of the month, introduced a man who needs no introduction to our club, Joe Wald today’s speaker. Joe is the Executive Director of the Greater Lansing Food Bank. Many may assume that the Food Bank simply supplies families in need with much need food donated by our areas citizens and organizations. However, it is more complicated than that. The accurate and complete function of the Greater Lansing Food Bank is to warehouse and distribute nutritional food by forming partnerships with churches, civic organizations, schools and shelters throughout our community. In 2017 this mission distributed over 8 million pounds of food and provided 1,700 food kits to school children each week during the school year. In addition, the Greater Lansing Food Bank operates mobile food pantries, works with organizations such as food retailers, the USDA, food producers for food needs, works with restaurants and event centers, such as our own Lansing Center on food rescue programs, organizes local neighborhood garden projects and hosts food drives throughout the year to solve the hunger problems that plague our community. Joe emphasized the hunger in our region is real and affects families that look like all of us, who through unfortunate circumstances must make a choice between food and other needs such as medicine, medical bills, gas and repairs for a car, utility bills and expenses for housing. 1in 7 people in our region is at risk when it comes to food needs. 48% of those at risk have jobs, health insurance and are educated, but are living on crisis away from disaster. Many of those at risk live in a constant state of food insecurity, which is defined as – not knowing where the next meal will be coming from each day. The Greater Lansing Food Bank by helping those in our community solve their hunger crisis, this allows individuals and families be better able to perform effectively at work, school and at home. The relief they get when they don’t have to worry about how and when they will be getting their next meal, helps them get through whatever crisis caused this need in the first place. How can we help? Obviously, food donations are welcome, but the best resource is monetary donations, since the Food Bank can bring greater buying power to obtaining food than we can individually. Joe noted that they are able to purchase 10 times the amount of food that you or I can provide by donating $10 of food purchased at the grocery store. If you are donating food items, they most need canned meat, fish and beans, canned vegetables, canned fruits canned soups, dry pasta, rice and boxed cereal. Another key area we can help is through volunteering our time to the organization, whenever possible. The Greater Lansing Food Bank is encompasses 7 counties in Mid-Michigan - Clinton, Clare, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Isabella and Shiawassee. It is also a member of the Food Council of Michigan, which is comprised of Michigan’s regional food banks and they collaborate on strategies to address and alleviate hunger throughout our state. Joe wrapped up his presentation by asking for us to consider helping their efforts by raising awareness, provide financial support and volunteering our time. After taking a number of questions, President Brewster thanked Joe for his presentation. Now after all of that, we still had not been entertained by our special music of the week. Apparently, Terry Terry had sent our performers to the University Club in a scheduling snafu, boy I bet the U-Club was surprised, yet entertained this early afternoon. Finally, Terry Terry introduced the local group “Tell Yo Mama”. Lead singer, Lucas Holliday performed two numbers accompanied by most of the group, one of their original compositions and “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder. With that President Brewster, closed the meeting and sent us on our way to enjoy a little sunshine on this Mid-February Friday. |
When I was about 10, my family travelled to Alaska to visit my aunt, uncle and cousins who were living in Juneau. One day, we decided to hike up a nearby mountain. The mountain had a cross above the timberline and the plan was to carry a lunch and eat it at the foot of the cross. As we started up the mountain, my cousin, brother and I, ages 8-10 forged on ahead of our parents and younger sisters. My cousin had hiked this trail before and I am sure we thought they were just too slow for us. When we reached the timberline, the path became a series of switchbacks with brush on either side. The brush was plenty tall to block the view of three kids. We raced on to the cross and sat down to wait for the others.