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.