Winter-Spring 2017 Winter-Spring 2016-17 one page up | Page 2

Food for thought… We are quickly ap- proaching our Fiscal Year end on June 30. As I reflect back on the second year of my service here, what an amazing time it has been! We completed a major remodel in the Food Pantry. We’ve had a wonderful employee retire and we’ve been lucky to find a great gentleman for the Pantry Manager position. Our fund- ing for The Family Shelter became de- pleted and we closed the shelter on March 24. This was a difficult decision but one that was made with many of our partners sitting at the table while these discussions took place. Our resources now are going into a better functioning pantry with more food availability, con- tinued outreach in our Drug and Alcohol initiative to raise awareness of underage consumption of alcohol in our county and more efforts into our Darkness 2 Light program (see page 7). We are in need of volunteers to help us on the Underage Drinking Awareness project. We also need all agencies, em- ployers and faith-based organizations who work with children to allow us to present the Darkness2Light training. This 2-hour training equips those who work with children with the ability to recognize victims of childhood sexual abuse and how to properly address the situation. Please remember that almost anyone who works with children in a professional, religious or coaching envi- ronment are mandated reporters. This training teaches us how to speak with the victim and get them help. It is, after all, the responsibility of adults to care for our children in the community. If you have an interest in either project, come join us! Our doors are always open for your sug- gestions, recommended improvements and just to come visit! Call us at 706.632.6063 or email me at sherrymor- [email protected] if we can be of help to you. PS. “Like” us on FaceBook at Fannin County Family Connection! Connections, Winter/Spring 2016-17, Page 2 Speaker of the House David Ralston Scheduled to Visit Family Connection Collaborative on August 11 Fannin County Family Connection hosts monthly collabo- rative meetings and invites all agencies, judicial services, law enforcement, schools, non-profit organizations, faith -based organizations and interested citizens to attend. These meetings include presentations from all aspects of social service and community activities. While we have a break for the summer months, we will resume on Fri- day, August 11 with a scheduled visit from Representa- tive David Ralston who will recap the newly enacted leg- islative that took effect on July 1 and give insight on the 2017 Legislative Session. The meeting will begin at 8:30 AM on August 11 at the offices of Family Connection, 101 Fannin Industrial Park Road. All are invited to attend. Did You Know??? 39.5% of Fannin’s children live in homes with less than 150% of federal pov- erty level. This statistic is worsening over time. However, children living in families where no parent has full time year-round employment is improving and at 6.1, versus 9.3% just 5 years ago. Our newest equipment addition in the Food Pantry is a 10x10 walk-in freezer that allows us to store thousands of pounds of frozen food. This helps us buy in bulk and use your donation dollars more wisely. The freezer is part of the reconfiguration and remodel of the pantry that was paid for by a grant from Chattanooga Area Food Bank. THANK YOU to our many donors who donate money or bring food to the pantry each and every month! We are so blessed. VOLUNTEER opportunities are available for the Pantry. Pantry hours are Monday-Thursday, 10 am—12 Noon and 1 -3 pm.