Harvest News

A publication of

Winter2016

The Food Bank’s volunteer program is growing! Almost every Thursday, groups and individuals help us inspect and sort food donations to keep our food supply safe. If you wish to volunteer, call Laura Fincher at 256-382-0296 to register. We invite groups, teams, companies, families and individuals to join us!

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM OFF STRONG SUCCESSto

ROCKET CHEF 2015ROCKET CHEF

Board of DirectorsPresidentTom Panucci

Vice PresidentDavid Newberry

SecretaryClarissa McClain

TreasurerAndrea Gallagher

DirectorsBrandon CarrinTaralyn CaudleRob CulverTom CunninghamKathy NelsonScott RogersByron Thomas

StaffExecutive DirectorKathryn StricklandFacility and Food Handling ManagerGloria HollinsAgency/Community Relations ManagerLaura FincherOffice ManagerPat GillilandAdministrative Support StaffSue Ann SandiferDirector of Community Food SecurityAnita DanielAgency Services RepresentativeJohn NergerSNAP Outreach CoordinatorKaitlyn ParksLocal Food DirectorLee McBrideLocal Food CoordinatorJanice DyerOperations SpecialistLawrence HollinsOperations AssistantCharmaine Winston Special Projects CoordinatorDave HeenanFood Donation DirectorShirley Schofield Food Sorting CaptainsDave JeffersonEduardo ReaWarehouse TechniciansJustus AugustusTitus Bates Jeremy Clemons Stephen HollinsScott Ward

PO Box 18607Huntsville, AL 35804(256) 539-2256 • www.foodbanknorthal.org

Rocket Chef 2015 in August was a success! The culinary competition, benefitting the Food Bank of North Alabama and Merrimack Hall’s Johnny Stallings Arts Program, raised more than $32,000. More than 300 people indulged in delicious samples at a special tasting reception before the competition and then watched as four local chefs battled it out for the title.

Chef Steven Bunner of 1892 East, Chef Chris McDonald of The Bottle, Chef Steven Polowy of Grille 29 Huntsville and Chef Phil Sandoval of Phil Sandoval’s Mexican Restaurante competed in three timed rounds – appetizer, entrée and dessert. They were challenged with creating unique dishes using mystery ingredients. For example, at the start of the appetizer round, they were given pickles,

shrimp, cheese wafers and watermelon and 15 minutes to turn it into something pleasing to the eye and the palate.

After each round, a panel of three well-respected culinary judges eliminated one competitor until there was a single winner. Chef Steven Polowy was the victor! During the cooking face-off, large monitors and live camera close-ups kept the crowd captivated and raffle drawings after each rounds ended allowed lucky audience members the chance to taste the finished dishes.

Rocket Chef is a winning combination of the things many of us love – food, entertainment, and giving back to the community. Many thanks to all of you who made it a success!

2015

All Photos Courtesy: Olivia Reed Photography

With four cooking stations and a fully stocked pantry, the performance stage at Merrimack

Hall transforms into a temporary kitchen.

(From left to right), Chef Steven Bunner of 1892 East, Chef Chris McDonald of The Bottle and Chef Phil Sandoval of Phil Sandoval’s

Mexican Restaurante ponder over what to do with the mystery basket ingredients in the appetizer round.

As the crowd of over 300 people watches, Chef Steven Bunner of

1892 East is focused on preparing the best dish for the judges.

Even though he was cooking under pressure, Chef Chris McDonald of The Bottle displayed a calm demeanor during the competition.

Chef Steven Polowy of Grille 29 Huntsville used

the special strategy of writing down all the

ingredients used before he started cooking. After

the competition, he featured the winning

dishes at the restaurant.

Despite the surprise of mystery ingredients and time restraints, the chefs were able to create culinary masterpieces. This is one of the entrée dishes made during the competition.

Chef Steven Polowy from Grille 29 Huntsville was the victor in the competition.

Thank you to Rocket Chef Sponsors: Bill Penney Toyota, Lankford/Battle Allstate Agency, Summit Information Solutions Inc, Belk Hudson Lofts, Exit Realty North-The Hulser Group, Torch Technologies, Bancorp, Beason & Nally, Sealy Properties, Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc., Publix, Retina Center of Alabama, Pinhook Provisions, Stephens Millirons P.C., VA Mortgage Alabama, Grill29, Hobbs Farms, Jala-Jala Foods, Jubilee Cold Brew Coffee, Juice Bar Huntsville, Lyn’s Gracious Goodness, Mason Dixon Bakery, Pizzelle’s Confections, Pablo’s Pickles

We’d like to announce that our Agency Services Representative, Ed Crick, has stepped down and retired from the Food Bank. He was a great ambassador to and advocate for our wonderful agency partners across north Alabama. We know you enjoyed getting to know Ed during his site visits and valued him for his good heart, sound advice and willingness to work together with you. We wish Ed a fond farewell and extend our deep thanks for his five years of service.

At the same time, we are excited to welcome John Nerger on board. John joins the Food Bank staff after a successful 36 years serving with the Army, most recently at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. John first joined the Food Bank as a volunteer and is drawn to keep serving in the community. He shares something in common with the founder of the Food Bank of North Alabama; he began his career as a VISTA Volunteer. He looks forward to working with all our agency partners and helping them address hunger in our area.

All Photos Courtesy: Olivia Reed Photography

JohnNerger

WELCOME new staff member,

JohnNerger

Agency Services Representative Transition

Founded in 1969, the Upper Sand Mountain Parish is a collection of eight rural United Methodist churches that makes a huge impact for Jackson and DeKalb county neighbors in need. Serving a territory of over 1,000 square miles, the Upper Sand Mountain Parish runs a variety of ministries including home renovation, accessibility ramp construction, hosting a storm shelter, and running a Christmas toy store for needy families.

One of the parish’s main areas of focus is its food ministries. It distributes over 500 two-day meal kits per month to six local schools and operates one of the first client-choice food pantries in the region. This innovative model enables people to

select the foods they need cost-free, much like they would choose items at the grocery store. This dignified process also easily accommodates food allegories, dietary restrictions and reduces food waste. The parish also provides free seeds to families to grow their own garden and free access to the parish’s industrial cannery. The cannery enables residents to generate income by commercially processing their home-grown produce. In 2015, the parish fed over 12,000 people seeking food assistance. Woody Woodin, who has served at the director since June 2015, stressed the importance of the parish’s partnership with the Food Bank of North Alabama, which has supplied over 3.4 million pounds of food to them since 2003. To learn more, call (256) 638-2126.

Agency Spotlight: Upper Sand Mountain Parish

The Food Bank of North Alabama is excited to introduce our new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach Coordinator, Kaitlyn Parks. Kaitlyn comes to us from Virginia where she studied Sociology and Public Policy & Community Service at Emory & Henry College. She has served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the North Alabama Agriplex in Cullman, working on grants, community gardens, and other outreach programs.

In collaboration with Feeding the Gulf Coast, formerly Bay Area Food Bank, Kaitlyn assists neighbors in need and partner feeding programs with SNAP applications (formerly food stamps). Alabama has a significantly high number of households eligible for SNAP benefits, but who don’t participate. By helping improve SNAP participation among eligible families, Kaitlyn helps residents supplement their food budget and be better prepared to pay for other life necessities.

Besides improving overall awareness about SNAP, Kaitlyn has assisted 73 households since she began. This translates into over 70,000 meals and $345,000 in local economic impact. She is already making a big difference in addressing local hunger in our communities.

Kaitlyn Parks

WELCOME new SNAP Outreach Coordinator, Kaitlyn Parks

SNAP Outreach

In Honor of A.F.C. Employees Welfare and Benefits TrustBlue Cross and Blue Shield of AlabamaBy Philip GrayAlabamaBy Gerard and Cathy SkievaskiBoard of Directors- Alabama Rural Electric Association of CooperativesBy Alabama Rural Electric Association of CooperativesRichard Anderson, Robins and Morton GroupMarty Blackwood, Fite Building Co, Inc.Derrick Boegner, COPTScott Bowman, COPT Property Management Services, LLCMike Brown, Fite Building Co, Inc.Marshanne Castro, COPT Property Management Services, LLCCavett Cooper, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.Dave Ely, KPS GroupJack Fite, Fite Building Co, Inc.J. Robert Fite, Fite Building Co, Inc.Greg Hall, COPTKristine Harding, KPS GroupHarold Hays, Hays Cheatwood Consulting, Inc.Harry James, Fite Building Co, Inc.Melanie Knight, COPT Property Management Services, LLCGeorge Marcin, COPT Construction and Development Services LLCRobert McCormick, Jesse Stutts, Inc.Tim Packard, Fuqua & Partners Architects, P.C.David Parkes, The Parkes Companies, Inc.Frank Passarge, VencoreBob Ratliff, Dyson Construction Co., Inc.Heather Aldridge SmithJay Stutts, Jesse Stutts, Inc.Jim Stutts, Stutts Corporation, Inc.Mark Voelkel, Independence Tube CorporationJimmy C. Wall, Jesse Stutts, Inc.Greg White, COPT Property Management Services, LLCBy Construction Project Consulting, LLCTom and Linda BryanBy William and Marlene BryanMrs. Jan CampBy Carol L. RencherErin and Kaye CancelBy John and Penny AlbertineCenturyLink Food DriveBy CenturyLink Employees CooperBy Brian LawsonCrabtree, Rowe & Berger TeamBy William and Donna BergerRuss and Ellen CunninghamBy Susan CunninghamMorely and Ann DenboBy Stephen and Susan EllzeyThe Tim Denman FamilyThe Larry Denman FamilyThe Lowes

The Westmoreland Family By John and Marion MittellMarilyn and Don EvansBetty and Bill GiardiniCarla and Gus GustafsonJane and Burt Williams By Loch and Freya R. Neely First Baptist Church, SheffieldBy Steven HippsBella Garbeil’s bat mitzvahBy Steven, Nickie and Bella Garbeil Cameron and Georgia By Bernard and Mary Anne Thomas Bill and Elise GoodsonMary GreenMr. and Mrs. Paul MadoleMr. and Mrs. Chuck RobertsMrs. Bob ThrasherJim and Martha WoodBy Ralph and Mary Green Hazel Green UM ChurchBy Angelen B. Hochberger Patrick HinesBy Peter Lovassy Britta C. HughesBy Tim Hughes David W. HumistonBy AnonymousMary JohnsonBy John Korpita Jackie Kelly JonesBy Venecia Allgood L28 and Kathryn Strickland By Barry and Dena Schrimsher Leadership Class 28 Reunion Dinner By Rocket Republic Brewing Company, Inc.Abigail M. LindsayBy Paula McInnishLockheed MartinBy Karen McLaughlin Mr. and Mrs. Charles McCartyBy David McCarty Dylan McClain’s arrival By Becky ShoresBetty McCutchenBy Janice Glor Wendy Yang, Richard Myers and family By John E. Yang Paula Neal By Anna Young Francis O’Bannon By Donald and Ramona BowdenDoctors Ken and Rose OpengartBy Gregory SmithTom PanucciBy Charles H. JonesKathy RiggsBy Richard LiroffMark RoachBy Steve SwaineTom Panucci By Charles H. JonesKathy RiggsBy Richard LiroffMr. and Mrs. Chuck Roberts By Ralph and Mary GreenRocket Chef Competition By Whitney BriscoeSteve Sawyer By Ernest FischerWill Shirley By David Shirley

Ken Street By Amanda HawkTemple B’nai Sholom and the Day of Atonement By David BlockTriVector Founders By TriVector EmployeesWAFF 48 Can-A-Thon By Susan J. PhelanWBC’s 11th Grade Sunday School girls at 9:30 By Alison JohnsonMr. Brenden M. White By Brandee WhiteSybil Wilkinson and Family By John and Linda WilliamsIan Zalamea By Jeremy Dixon

Special Recognition Donations

In Memory of Dr. Lynne AbbotBy Alicia TaylorRafael AlanizBy Walter E. WaddingtonR.B. AustinBy Ashley AustinClarence Michael BaileyBy William BaileyMrs. Cherie BlockerMr. Robert BrownMary Virginia LoydBy Joe and Mildred NordmanPatty CiliaxBy Evelyn J. KurtzTalmadge and Betty ClaytonBy Dianne C. WillsBridget DietzBy Stacy A. Basta, W Timothy Brooks, DMD, Maureen J. Chemsak, Marjorie M. Demaree, Kurtis Dietz, Eleanor Fabris, John and Sue Harvilla, Doug Huie, Virginia S. Leahy, Matt Moore, NASA ES Family, Charles Norman, Caroline OShea, Jeanette Pohl, Brian Ramsey, Martin Weisskopf, Sharon S. YoungkinHeidi EnglerBy Ralph and Mary GreenCharles Bobby LindsayBy Robert and Caroleigh CollinsRobert Kenneth Lipsey By Elizabeth S. LipseyMrs. Evelyn LucasBy Robert and Teresa MartinSm. Anima and Sj. Amar Nath MaitraBy Ram P. BhattacharyaGuy McAllisterBy Judith McAllisterKathryn MCownBy Holly LewitasMary Louise MeyerBy Wayne MeyerThomas Carroll MorganBy Diane Haney, Bart WattsDelores MyersBy Sandee AndersonDan PittsBy Ed and Harriet Turner Jim RakowBy Fred and Lois G. EvansAudrey SchmiererBy William and Johanna Clemons Conna Ann Smith PerkersonBy Elaine EspyPam TheriaultBy Lawrence Theriault

Corporate & Foundation Donors

Bamity Fund The Kuehlthau Family Foundation Hastings Heating and Cooling PPG Industries FoundationR&B Foods-Spark Hunger. Spark Change.HudsonAlpha Institute for BiotechnologyPanda Restaurant GroupPizzelle’s Confections LLCSam’s Club Text Campaign- Outnumber HungerChrysler Minority Dealers Association, Inc.Class of Our RedeemerThe Lowry Family FoundationJay and Pam White Family Fund

Special thanks to the over 100 schools, organizations, businesses and neighbors who held food drives and donated food during the holiday season.