FCS in Action: Making an Impact Around the State
The members of MAFCS, TCHC and FCSP are working together to make a great impact across our state from the Twin Cities area to International Falls. Becky Bergmann, a member of all three organizations, shares this update:
It started with an idea and a bucket and grew to over 50 pounds of food and supplies for a family. Three organizations came together for a common cause – food insecurity. And, thanks to everyone in these professional groups, it has, so far, been a resounding success.
Spearheaded by three presidents, MAFCS, TCHC, AND FCSP developed a project, FCS Action, to help families in three areas of the state. Though the goal has been to get food into the hands of those that most desperately need it, as professionals in human ecology, they wanted to give more. Food shelf sources said education was needed as well as recipes for guidance. It was impossible to do in-person demonstrations due to COVID, so resources were collected, recipes developed and printed in a book, as well as handouts with pictures, and a booklet called “Power Up Supper Recipes and Nutrition.” A video was also produced that featured two FACS teachers demonstrating the recipes. A link was sent to each family for viewing.
On January 30th, members for all three organizations, arrived in Monticello and organized and boxed up foods and supplies for 25 families. The Help Center of Monticello hosted us and gave quite a few additional items for our project. In FCS fashion everyone got right to work getting organized and systematically putting the items together. I think some moved at the speed of light. By the time we were finished we had a CUB box and grocery bag brimming with foods, the bucket (also filled), and a gallon of milk for each recipient. All of us were masked up and did practice social distancing.
For the Monticello portion of this project, a survey was taken, sponsored by the American Heart Association. They provided grant money to help in this project also. All recipients stayed in their cars and our members came to them. Thankfully it was a really pleasant morning outside. Karen Smith and Kathy Norquist problem solved along the way, especially when a few families didn’t show up. All the food was given out by the end of the morning.
On February 20th, the families had a second opportunity to receive food and supplies. The Heart Association wanted portions of the survey repeated as a follow-up. We also provided an incentive for each family. They got a CUB gift card to go with new recipes and over 60 pounds of food.
The stories and hardships of these families are invisible until you get to be there 1:1. It helped me get a better understanding of the many faces of food insecurity. And then to think that this is one small community in one state in one country. It feels overwhelming. But I was so happy that I was able to participate in this project and that our members were reaching out in any way that they could.
Thank you so much to Karen Smith, Kathy Norquist and Lois Lewis for their leadership and hard work in this collaboration. A special thank you goes to Lars Carlson of the Monticello Help Center, Maree Smith for acting as interpreter for the Spanish speaking families, as well as Karen’s and Kathy’s husbands for their help in packing, loading, and delivering the items.
