 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
  |
|
|
|
by Ariel Olson
During the month of February, state employees around Oregon and at more than 35 agencies in Lane County will raise money and food for the 2007 Governor's State Employees Food Drive to benefit thousands of low-income Oregon households.
 |
|
| Cheryl Anson |
In Eugene, staff members at the State Employment Department know first-hand the causes of hunger. Cheryl Anson served as the coordinator of the annual Governor's State Employees Food Drive at the Eugene branch of the State Employment Office for more than 10 years. In that time she’s assisted countless clients as an employment adjudicator and has helped the agency build one of the top five most successful State Drive food and fund drives in Lane County. Her advice?
"Don’t wait until February to start fundraising. We do lots of smaller fundraisers all year so there’s not such a rush at the end," Anson said.
The office maintains a FOOD for Lane County barrel year-round to raise hunger awareness and to encourage regular giving. Employees also sell entertainment books in the fall to bolster their total donation during the Governor's Drive in February.
"We’ve done food-themed events too, like potluck salads, and baked potato or burrito bars," Anson said. Staff members buy their lunches and the money is all donated. Those who contribute food to the potluck eat for $1; others pay $3-$5 for their meals.
Anson emphasized that creativity is key to generating enthusiasm. "Golden Tickets" were one idea that really worked. She sold them for $10-$15 each. The highly coveted tickets allowed staff members to opt out of their rotating kitchen duty by making a donation to the drive.
"Last year I raised $100 in a day and a half selling Golden Tickets," said Anson. "So this year we're selling them for $20 a piece. It's amazing what people will pay to get out of kitchen duty."
Tina Swogger, the office’s new food drive coordinator, has seven years of experience coordinating the drive in her former Salem office. This year she’s organizing a soup lunch, a white elephant auction, a picnic lunch auction, a book sale, a bake sale and a Valentine sale.
"I’m excited about seeing what we can do," she said.
Both drive coordinators agree that the staff’s first-hand knowledge of the pervasive need for food assistance is central to their success.
"We’re a very sensitive group of individuals because we do encounter a lot of individuals who have lost their jobs," Swogger said. "Having fun is foremost. Getting people involved and educating staff about all the ways that they can help out is really important."
For more about the 2007 Governor's State Employees Food Drive, contact Deb Buchanan at FOOD for Lane County or go to www.oregon.gov/fooddrive.
Hunger in Lane County (pdf)
|
|
||
| Home | Contact Us |
© 2007 Food for Lane County
|