June At Just Food
Households Served - 2,409
Individuals Served - 5,304
New Shopper Households - 396
Number of Volunteer Hours - 1,882.5
Number of Volunteers - 190
Average Hours / Volunteer - 10
Pounds of Recovered Food - 70,454
Pounds of Food Donated by Harvesters - 12,435
June 2023 Food Purchasing
In addition to all food donated to Just Food through food drives, food recovery, and through other means, Just Food also purchases food for our pantry each month. Currently, we have budgeted $40,000 for purchasing food (up from spending just $2,300 per month as recently as February 2020). Soon, we anticipate that number to increase to $50,000 per month or more due to rising food costs, reduced access to donated food, and the increased need across our county.
Transparency in how we are spending that budget it important to us and we know it's important to our supporters and donors. In the spirit of that transparency, we will be sharing our monthly purchasing breakdown in each month's The Dish. We welcome your questions about how we acquire our food, any partnerships for food purchasing you may be able to help us leverage, and, of course, your donations to help us fill this ever-growing need.
Please reach out to our interim Executive Director, Aundrea at director@justfoodks.org with any questions or connections you may be able to share.
Budget Recipe of the Month
Zucchini Muffins
Introducing our Budget Recipe of the Month: Zucchini Muffins! This delightful recipe from Budget Bytes is a fantastic way to make the most of seasonal zucchini without breaking the bank. These moist and flavorful muffins are not only a delicious treat for breakfast or snack time but also a sneaky way to sneak in some extra veggies. The recipe is budget-friendly and easy to make, making it perfect for those looking to enjoy a tasty, wholesome, and affordable homemade treat. Don't miss out on this delightful zucchini muffin recipe that's sure to become a household favorite!
Estimated Cost: $3.53/recipe - $0.44/serving Recipe: Zucchini Muffins
Volunteer of the Month - Frank Borror
Our July Volunteer of the month is none other than Frank Borror, our resident egg-packer and produce-sorter. Frank likes to do the jobs others may not like – sorting through the occasional broken egg or piece of slimy produce. According to Frank, he volunteers with us to help himself, and "if I can help someone else while helping myself – why not?"
He first learned of Just Food about six years ago, bringing a family member to shop, and noticed that we could use some help in the produce department. He began volunteering the very next week. He's always enjoyed working with his hands, and was working in the carnival circuit for about 20 years. In his spare time he gardens, currently cultivating a couple of small trees and grape vines.
Volunteer Opportunity
📢🍏 Join Our Just Food Volunteers Team! 🍏📢
🤝 Are you passionate about making a positive impact in the community?
🌟 Interested in tabling for Just Food to represent our cause?
🗓️ Perfect for weekend warriors and families with kiddos!
📍 To get started, sign up for our orientation session here: https://www.justfoodks.org/volunteerorientation
📚 Then, get ready for the experience by attending a short and helpful training session!
🙋♀️🙋♂️ We're looking for volunteers who love interacting with others and want to spread the word about Just Food!
📧 Have questions? Reach out to our Volunteer Manager, Julie, at volunteer@justfoodks.org.
Together, we can fight hunger and build a stronger, healthier community! 🌱🌞
Food Justice Partner of the Month: Aldi
This month's partner is Aldi. They have been a food justice partner since they opened, back in 2018. In the last year, our regular pickup schedule has increased from once per week to twice per week. Also throughout the year, Aldi has hosted multiple food drives at checkout so their shoppers can donate to Just Food, as well.
To give you an idea of how much Aldi is stepping up for the community, last year we recovered a total of 35,280 pounds of food from Aldi. Already this year, Aldi has donated 24,682 pounds. Hopefully, we can recover double the pounds from last year by the end of 2023.
Thank you, Aldi for being an amazing partner!
Get to Know the Just Food Staff
Ali Curbow - Development Director
Please join us in welcoming the newest addition to our Just Food family, Ali Curbow, who is joining us as our Director of Development! Ali's journey with us began on Monday, July 17th, and we couldn't be more excited to have her on board.
Ali comes to us from Kanbe's Markets, a remarkable Kansas City nonprofit that works tirelessly to provide access to fresh, healthy foods to food deserts in the area. With her wealth of experience and passion for making a difference, we know she's going to do great things for Just Food!
When asked about her role at Just Food, Ali describes it as "all about relationships!" She sees her position as a chance to build connections with individuals, organizations, and corporations, spreading the word about all the amazing work Just Food does and sourcing funding for our various programs. Whether it's organizing a fresh event, applying for grants, or engaging with people every day, Ali's dedication shines through.
Now, let's get to know Ali a little better. On a Saturday afternoon, you'll likely find her cherishing time with her newest bundle of joy, her infant daughter, Olivia! Whether they're taking a leisurely stroll, reading books together, or enjoying those precious baby snuggles, family time is a top priority for Ali. Beyond that, she has a love for nature and adventure, with hiking and paddleboarding ranking high on her list of favorite activities. And when it's time to unwind, you might catch her exploring the best breweries, coffee shops, and restaurants around town.
Ali's home life is just as exciting as her professional journey. She shares her home with her loving husband, Tyler and their daughter, Olivia. As for their furry companions, they have two adorable dogs—Sully, a big, friendly blonde pit bull, and Stella, a terrier mix. But wait, that's not all! Ali's house is also home to two cute cats, making it a bustling haven for animal lovers.
Though Ali's daily commute brings her to Lawrence from Lenexa, her love for the community and the cause brings her closer to us every day. She's eager to get to know each and every one of you, and we encourage you to extend a warm welcome to her as well! You can reach her directly at development@justfoodks.org.
Before we wrap up, we asked Ali about her favorite annual Lawrence event, and she couldn't resist giving a "shameless plug" for Game Gala, coming up on Friday, November 10th at Abe & Jake's (keep your eyes open for more details on our largest annual fundraiser event, coming soon)! We're thrilled to have her enthusiasm for our local festivities, and we can't wait to see how her creative touch will enhance our future events.
So, let's all raise a virtual toast to Ali, the go-getter with a heart of gold, who's here to make Just Food soar to new heights! Together, we'll continue to bring nourishment, hope, and positive change to our community. Welcome aboard, Ali! 🌟