Pivot! (continued from front cover)
We use the disinfecting spray to sanitize the cart
between uses of carrying food to the client’s car.
The Family Connection Food Pantry is blessed
with dedicated volunteers. Some of those vol-
unteers are working daily at the Pantry while
others have had to sit this out due to health is-
sues. We are striving to make the workplace as
sanitary and as safe as possible during this un-
certain time. We appreciate all of those who
have helped in any way while we are serving our
community at a time when our services are most
needed.
From the April, 2019 Event—Volunteers served soup from
many restaurants warming both the bodies and hearts of the
attendees. Sadly, this great event was cancelled in March
2020 due to COVID 19.
BOWLS OF HOPE— 2020
Family Connection Receives Grant for
Awareness Campaign
The Council on Alcohol and Drugs recently
awarded a small grant to Fannin County Family
Connection to continue our work in raising
awareness of underage consumption of alcohol,
both with our youth and their parents or guardi-
ans. In 2018, we conducted a Positive Social
Norms campaign at Fannin County High School.
In 2019, we took the campaign to our Middle
School as the age of onset of trying alcohol is
around 13 years of age in our county. In 2020,
plans are to work with Fannin High students
again.
We are unsure how the COVID-19 response will
affect our work, but we should be conducting
surveys at the high school now during the
spring months. With school being taught re-
motely, once again we are trying to pivot, re-
make our plans, and put the campaign in mo-
tion. We will report our work in an upcoming
newsletter.
One of the best events of the year in our community has
been the Annual Bowls of Hope, hosted by Feed Fannin. It’s
a gathering place for around 500 community members to
celebrate their support of Feed Fannin and the Food Pantry
while enjoying delicious soups prepared by our many
restaurants in town. Fannin County Family Connection Food
Pantry is the primary recipient of the funds raised by Feed
Fannin. Additionally, all of the fresh produce grown at the
Ada Street Community Garden is donated to the Food Pantry
at Family Connection.
Due to the social distancing requirements of the COVID-19
situation, the 2020 Bowls of Hope was cancelled. Many of
the ticket purchasers generously
donated the funds from their ticket
purchase. However, proceeds from
the Silent Auction and on-site ticket
sales were lost. This cancellation
will, of course, represent a gap in
the funding capacity of Feed
Fannin. To learn more about Feed
Fannin and their generous support
of the Food Pantry, please visit
their website at www.feedfannin.com.
Photo: The News Observer
Connections, Winter/Spring 2019-20, Page 3