Food for thought …
What a year we ’ ve had at Family Connection . From adding new activities like The News Observer ’ s Coat Giveaway , to record setting numbers at the Food Pantry , to learning how to mesh virtual and in-person meetings , it ’ s been a wild ride . Our client numbers returned to “ normal ” in April , over 13 months after the shutdown when pandemic was in full force . As you know , Family Connection did not close during the pandemic . We had more families to serve than ever . We just served them in a different way with practicing distancing and improved sanitation . When the client visits began tapering off , we began to think about how to reopen the building for all of our services . Staff talked often about how to offer more services and how to be better at our jobs . Just as we were contemplating how the organization might look upon opening the doors , I heard the phrase that described what staff had been discussing , but couldn ’ t find the words to describe our goal . You see , it had been over a year since I had visited a very dear friend . My heart needed her positivity and so I emailed to arrange a visit . One of my favorite places in the world is Serenberry Vineyards and I headed there one beautiful afternoon . Serenberry boasts one of the loveliest views I ’ ve ever seen and your spirit can just feel that the spirits of Mark and Janice , the owners , are like gentle spring breezes . When Janice and I were talking about the year that was , she described all of the improvements that were in progress on the property . Janice stated that the goal was not “ back to normal ” but instead was “ back to better .” Janice uttered the words that somehow refused to come into my head but they there were ... just what FCFC staff had been discussing for a long while . “ Back to Better .” Three little words with big , big meaning . The changes in the pantry operation have raised the level of service and you can see the appreciation in our client ’ s smiles . The building landscape has had a makeover . Services and how we coordinate them have been studied and improved . The Board of Directors has just added several talented people . I ’ ve been on a journey of education with over 27 days of professional learning during the pandemic . I ’ m bringing back the knowledge and sharing with staff and offering community trainings . There ’ s so much more to tell but we ’ d have to visit in person as there ’ s not enough room here to express it all . And some stories just can ’ t be in writing . And , there you have it . Three little , but huge , words . “ Back to Better .” We welcome your visit and we always appreciate your support . Sending you all my best . - Sherry
Back to Better , continued from front cover
Through a partnership with the Fannin County School System and their L4GA Literacy Grant , the Food Pantry now houses a generous stock of new books for children . When families visit , the children can choose books of their very own to take home . The Construction Class at Fannin County High School built the shelves for us . The three bookshelves now house one full of children ’ s books and two additional ones full of donated books including novels , self-help , religious , and non-fiction books . Our adult food pantry clients are encouraged to help themselves to our book selection . Books can be kept or returned for exchange on the next visit .
When children visit , food pantry volunteers share crayons and coloring sheets . If the child want to display their artwork for visitors and volunteers to enjoy , the completed coloring sheets are placed on the walls near the pantry warehouse doors . Volunteers often smile when they take a moment to view the children ’ s work .
While our service numbers are now approaching normal , if you visit the Food Pantry and feel the vibe in the air when the lobby is full with clients choosing their produce and shopping for family needs , you ’ ll understand that “ back to better ” is truly miles ahead of “ back to normal .”
( Top photo ) Volunteer Dawn O ’ Dell visits with children who have come to the pantry with family members . Coloring sheets are shared with children and then posted for volunteers to enjoy if desired by coloring artist .
( Bottom photo ) Ray Smith ( left ) and Jay Jenkins ( right ) are spreading sunshine on any given day when they are in the pantry . Jay has been a faithful volunteer for over 5 years . Jay took a little pause from his work during the Covid shutdown and we surely missed him and his infectious smile .
If you ’ re interested in spreading a little sunshine too , call us . We have jobs for every volunteer !
Connections , Spring / Summer 2021 , Page 2