REGISTER NOW: 2011 OBB Annual Meeting and Training

Good afternoon, Benefit Bankers!

If you haven't already, register for the 4th Annual OBB Meeting and Training, held in Columbus on Sept. 7-8. It will focus on providing you information and education in outreach and education, policy, and resource development. Plus, it will be a great opportunity for me to catch up with you!



Registration is free and can be done by clicking here.

I hope to see you there!


Be well,

Jessica

Serve with HarvestCorps!

You or someone you know can apply to join Ohio's LARGEST charitable response to hunger!

The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks is seeking HarvestCorps members to serve at various locations throughout Ohio, including Akron, Ashland, Canton, Cincinnati, Circleville, Cleveland, Columbus, Lorain, and more!

What is HarvestCorps?

HarvestCorps is an AmeriCorps State program operated by the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks. AmeriCorps State is a national service program whose members dedicate a year to serving those in need in their communities with a hands-on approach.

In return for serving, you'll receive:

• A living stipend
• An educational award upon completion
• Valuable work experience

How to Apply:

1. Go to www.americorps.gov
2. Under "Advanced Opportunity Search," choose AmeriCorps State/National and under "Program Name" enter HarvestCorps
3. Click "Apply Now!" to begin your application

Questions? Contact Kelsey Raines at 614.221.4336 ext. 257 or kelsey@oashf.org.

Need Volunteers?

Would you be interested in receiving volunteer referrals from The Ohio Benefit Bank, in order to support your OBB services? We will be promoting volunteer recruitment for The Ohio Benefit Bank statewide and look forward to targeting the volunteers you are looking for!

If so, please take a moment to complete this short survey and tell us what you are looking for in volunteers to support OBB at your site.

Click here to complete the survey.

Thank you for all that you do!
Jessica

Training Registration is Changing!

Hello, Benefit Bankers!

You may have noticed that we've changed our training model. Well, to make things even EASIER for our trainees, we are changing the registration process as well!

If you just rolled your eyes and thought, "Change doesn't mean it's easier!" believe me when I say, I hear you. But this time it's true! In the past, you've gotten an email announcement, which told you to contact one of the Community Trainers. They would then send you a registration sheet to fill out, which you then sent back to them, and they would register you. Five steps for involved, which is just too many!

So what's the process now? Well, you'll still get an email announcement. However, in this announcement you'll be given a registration link for each training. Click on the link for the training you want, and you'll be taken to PlanetReg, a free event registration service. Just follow the prompts and in a few easy questions, you're registered for training! See? Easy.

So, look for a training announcement soon! Until then, enjoy the lovely weather.

Be well,
Jessica

Accessing Dental Care in Rural Ohio

Dental Access Now! is launching a series of YouTube videos that depict some of the hardships of life in rural areas--including accessing affordable dental care. Please share Part I of their series by forwarding the following link to your networks. It is crucial that we bring these stories to light and inspire more voices to speak out and help us fix our broken health care system.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEnBCF98O6w

Be well,

Jessica

Food Assistance: Did you know...

Every $5 in new food assistance benefits generates almost twice as much ($9.20) in total community spending!*

The next time you look at your usage report, do the math. See how much money you're helping to bring back into your community?

*Source: United States Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service

Be well,
Jessica

Last Chance to Attend a Regional Meeting!

Good afternoon, Ohio Benefit Bankers!

Don't forget about the Regional Meeting in Toledo on Thursday! It's from 1-4 pm at the public library in the Huntington room. If you plan to attend, please let Zachary Hillyer know. He can be reached at nwo.snap.outreach@gmail.com.

Linda Koss from the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library will present on beginning the grant research process. In today's landscape of uncertain budgets and decreasing donations, grants will become increasingly important to keep doors open and programs running. New to grant searching? Come to hear where on earth to start. Grant searching pro? Find out how the library can make it more painless.

In addition to Linda's presentation, Gayle and I will be updating the network on all of our hard work. And believe me, Northwest Ohio has been working hard! Now is your chance to stop by and say goodbye to Gayle, and to thank her for all the passion and dedication she's poured into Northwest Ohio since 2007. If you like, you can also say hello to me!

I truly hope to see you there. I'm excited to meet you!

Be well,
Jessica