“The key to abundance is meeting limited circumstances with unlimited thoughts.” – Marianne Williamson – Author-Speaker

 

“Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin – 1924-1987 – Writer-Civil Rights Activist

 

“Being happy never goes out of style.” – Lily Pulitzer – 1931-2013 – Fashion Designer

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson)

 

February 6 – No AM meeting – Karaoke Fundraiser at 5:30 PM, competition starting at 6:30 PM at Jupiter’s at the Crossing

 

February 22 – 9-11 AM – Salt and Light in Urbana

 

 

PROGRAM

 

Les introduced Sophie Becker, Marketing, Communication and Engagement Manager at Eastern Illinois Food Bank and member of Champaign West Rotary.

 

EIFB serves food pantries in 18 counties covering 14,500 square miles. In that area, at least one in eight people are facing food insecurity.  The Food Bank is serving 90% more people than they did in 2022.  Sophie said the need has never been higher.

 

Every day, their fleet of eight box trucks deliver food to 160 partner agencies. Their food mobile reaches about 100 rural communities each month. Some of the counties have just one food pantry that is open just once per month.   

 

There is an urgent need for volunteers to staff the local food pantries.  The food distribution at Champaign’s own Vineyard Church serves 500-600 families per week.

 

Sophie told us about a new state funded program, the IL Food Purchase Assistance Program.  Food Banks sign cooperative agreements with disadvantaged farmers to provide meat to food banks.  

 

You can sign up to volunteer at their website, http://www.eifoodbank.org.  There is a good chance you will be volunteering alongside UIUC athletes who are there a couple of times per week.   The Food Bank especially needs volunteers during the summer months.

 

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  Jan 9th Jan 16th Jan 23rd Jan 30th
Introductions Michael Hogue Scott Paceley Robb Patton No am
Reflection Cary Woolard Oktay Baran Eddie Bridges meeting
Greeters Michael Hogue Scott Paceley Robb Patton on
Cary Woolard Oktay Baran Eddie Bridges fifth
Food Jen Shelby Ed Perry TBD Thursday.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

 

January 9th – Lauren Gramly, Business Specialist, Champaign Public Library, will discuss entrepreneurship (Lisa)

January 16th – Dr. Pavlo Dziuba, Visiting Professor, Economics, UIUC   (Mary)

January 23rd – Lynne Barnes, Advocates for Aging Care (Michael)

January 30th – TBD

February 6th – Karaoke fundraiser (no AM meeting)

February 13th – TBD (Cary)

February 20th – Club Assembly

February 27th – TBD (Charlie)

March 6th – TBD (Lisa)

March 13th – TBD (Joe)

March 20th – TBD (Les)

March 27th – TBD (Mary)

 

 

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

 

January 18 – Jen Shelby

January 27 – Rod Roberts

January 28 – Scott Paceley