2014 annual report - forever fed · 2016-07-25 · forever fed hit several milestones in 2014. each...

Annual Report

2014

Forever Fed Annual Report 2014

Word from our Founder and Executive Director

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been

called according to his purpose. “ Romans 8:28

In August 2010 we were called according to His purpose and our four year journey has been absolutely amaz-

ing. One of my favorite statements as we close each event is “Folks, if this all ends today know that this journey

has been fantastic!” People laugh when I say that, but I mean that with all my heart. We’ve witnessed miracle

after miracle. We’ve encountered precious like minded souls and love filled hearts both serving and receiving

the abundant blessings God has provided to Forever Fed. Most importantly we’ve laughed, cried, and prayed

with all who were willing to share their lives with us. Along the way we know in our knower God used every-

thing according to His purpose. God is good.

Forever Fed hit several milestones in 2014. Each of these accomplishments not only grows us to engage more

individuals in need, they help our organization become more stable for long term success as well. When we

look back and witness our growth over the last four years we are honored and blessed that God allowed us to

serve in this way. Thank you for your prayers, your gifts, and most of all, thank you for serving with us.

We are thankful, humbled, and blessed.

Susan Vanderheyden

Executive Director, Forever Fed, Inc.

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Operational Highlights in 2014

Total Prepared Hot Meals served in 2014 = 17,749 Total Sack Meals served in 2014=8,050 Total Pounds of Groceries Distributed in 2014=52,708 Total Snacks Provided to Children's Programs we support=2,201 We continue to distribute thousands of pieces of clothing through our mobile clothing closet

via our 14’ trailer as well. What’s New in 2014?

In February Forever Fed began providing meals to Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. Goshen has 6 foster homes housing 6 teen aged boys. We provide a meal each Tuesday. Our goal is to relieve the house parents from the burden of meal preparation one night a week.

In September a private sponsor generously provided the Executive Director, Susan Vanderheyden, with a in-come of $1500/month. This is not only a financial blessing for our leadership, it also represents a milestone and landmark in the growth and permanence of Forever Fed as a stable non-profit. Successful non-profits surviving five years or more are able to sustain paid leadership roles. Why? Because successful non-profits are able to hire and replace critical leadership roles to provide for long term stability.

In September our Backpack Grocery Support Program was transitioned into a “Food Box Distribution Pro-gram” lovingly named Cans4Kids/Food4U. This grocery support is offered to families who need a little extra help on their way to supporting themselves but they lack the ability to visit local food pantries because of a lack of transportation.

In December Forever Fed was awarded a “Phase Four Capacity Building Grant” sponsored by the Atlanta Community Food Bank. These grant dollars will be utilized to make capital improvements increasing Forever Fed’s capacity to reach more families and individuals with food relief support. This equipment includes a new set of efficient ovens, several meal preparation small ware tools that increase our ability to prepare meals. We will also be purchasing 20 rolling stock carts in order to update our Cans4Kids/Food4U storage ar-ea in an effort to grow our grocery support program as well.

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2014 Ministry Events

A: Front Line Ministry– Directly Engaging Individuals in Need

Northwoods Apartments, Canton

1. Forever Fed serves a nutritious breakfast to the 100+ residents of Northwoods Community on the 1st and 3rd Sundays each month through November.

2. The Starlight Kid’s Reading Club in this neighborhood which meets weekly on Fridays, weather permitting. Vol-unteers spent time reading with children, provided a snack, and encourage children towards age appropriate reading skills. This program meets out doors 8 months of the year.

3. During Cherokee County School Breaks we delivered groceries to each of the 50 apartments located at North-woods. Most of these families have multiple school aged children and our grocery assistance helps these at-risk families assure their children have adequate nutrition during school breaks.

Block Party Events

1st Saturday-Prayer and Praise Church, Woodstock

2nd Saturday-Scott Mill Chapel, Canton

3rd Saturday-St. Paul AME Church, Canton

Forever Fed hosts block party events on church campuses three Saturdays each month. These are outdoor events where the entire neighborhood is invited to attend. We serve a nutritious meals, distribute clothing via our mo-bile clothes closet, and provide children’s activities. We also distribute gently used children’s books in an effort to battle illiteracy. In this way communities are brought together and relationships between neighbors are fostered. As we earn the trust of the people we serve we share our faith, our love, and encouragement. When we hear of special needs of the residents we do what we can to fill those needs and often refer individuals to other organiza-tions for assistance. We often identify families who would benefit from our Cans4Kids/Food4U grocery assistance.

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B. Supportive Ministry-Assisting Other Ministries With Food Support

Kid’s Bible Club, Woodstock

1. On the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Tuesday Each Month Forever Fed provides a healthy dinner for the 150 + at risk children and volunteers attending KBC. By doing so we are alleviating the KBC volunteers of the burden of providing food to the children who arrive at their program hungry. This meal is served to the kids by many loving Forever Fed volun-teers.

2. We also support 75 children attending KBC experiencing high need through our Cans4Kids/Food4U grocery support program. 3. During the summer, the KBC volunteers round up neighborhood children living in high risk areas and transport them to a week long Vacation Bible School hosted at Canton First Baptist Church. Forever Fed provides granola bars for a breakfast snack on their way to VBS and a sack lunch for the children to eat on the way home each day.

Turn Around Ministries, Woodstock

1. Each Tuesday Forever Fed provides a healthy prepared meal to the Turn Around Foster Home in Woodstock. Turn Around is home to 20-26 children throughout the year. We prepare this meal and deliver it to the foster home where they serve the meal themselves. This gives the leadership one night free each week to attend to the needs of their children and get a break from their daily meal preparation. 2. Forever Fed also provides snacks, juice drinks, and many of our “left over meals” to Turn Around Ministries. In this way we are not only being good stewards of all the foods we prepare, we are also relieving them of the large burden of purchasing food for 20+ children each week.

Elizabeth Inn Shelter, Marietta

Once a month Forever Fed provides a meal for 75 guests and volunteers of the Elizabeth Inn Homeless Shelter in Mari-etta. This meal is served by many dedicated volunteers at the shelter and is always received with rave reviews from the Shelter residents.

Paths to Shine Afterschool Program, Canton

Paths to Shine Afterschool Mentoring Program is hosted at Scott Mill Chapel, home to Forever Fed’s 2nd Saturday Block party each month. This program was started in January, 2014 in response to the members of the Church witnessing so many children attending Forever Fed events. Forever Fed provides drinks and snacks for this program and in 2014 we hope to provide them with Backpack foods as well.

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Robert Sperry (Treasurer)

and his Family

Wes Mitcham (Secretary)

and his wife Malissa

Christopher Coyle

(Director)

Kathy Dillon (Director)

and her family

Susan Vanderheyden

(Executive Director)

Bob Vanderheyden

(Director)


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Photographed Highlights from 2014

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2014 annual report - forever fed · 2016-07-25 · forever fed hit several milestones in 2014. each...

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