July At Just Food
Households Served - 2,108
Individuals Served - 4,754
New Shopper Households - 276
Number of Volunteer Hours - 1,370.75
Number of Volunteers - 184
Average Hours / Volunteer - 7.5
Pounds of Recovered Food - 78,508
Pounds of Food Donated by Harvesters - 30,825
Just Food News
A heartfelt THANK YOU to our incredible community for voting Just Food as the BEST Nonprofit (Adult/Senior Services) in this year's Best of Lawrence contest! Your support empowers us to continue our mission of fighting hunger and nourishing lives.
Congratulations to Amy Hope, our rockstar Office Manager, for clinching 1st Place (Nonprofit, Gov, Groups) – you're the real MVP, Amy!
We're thrilled to have secured 2nd Place in Social Media (Org/Nonprofit) – connecting with you all online is a true joy!
Last but not least, a huge shoutout to our fantastic team, making Just Food an amazing Place to Work (Under 25 employees) and earning us the 3rd Place spot. Your dedication and passion inspire us every day.
None of these achievements would be possible without YOU – our supporters, volunteers, and advocates. Here's to a future filled with more victories in the fight against hunger!
Budget Recipe of the Month
Salmorejo
This Salmorejo recipe offers a delightful Spanish twist for September's Budget Recipe of the Month. A chilled tomato soup with a velvety texture, Salmorejo combines the richness of ripe tomatoes, day-old bread, and a touch of olive oil. The result is a creamy and tangy soup that's perfect for using up those summer tomatoes while keeping costs in check. Whether you're hosting a casual dinner party or seeking an elegant yet affordable option, Salmorejo shines as a simple, yet impressive choice.
Whether served as a refreshing appetizer or a light main course, this Spanish-inspired chilled tomato soup is sure to become a go-to dish for budget-conscious foodies seeking a touch of elegance.
Estimated Cost: $9.78/recipe - $1.22/serving
Recipe: Salmorejo
Development News
September is Hunger Action Month! Keep your eyes on our social media channels this month for news about a new collaboration we're working on that will allow you to support your favorite local restaurants while also supporting Just Food! We're really excited about working with some of our favorite businesses across Lawrence and we can't wait to share the news with you!
Volunteer of the Month - Paula Elster
Our August Volunteer of the Month is the lovely Paula. Her volunteer specialty is stocking produce and bread in the pantry. She takes great pride in ensuring that our shoppers have a beautiful selection of fruit and veggies.
Paula first started volunteering with us in 2019, and has been a regular ever since. She remembers that time fondly, thinking about the sense of camaraderie and purpose that formed around the shared goal of feeding people during the pandemic. She loves helping at a local level, and forming bonds with other volunteers, staff and shoppers. She believes that if we all benefit from the effort to take care of our neighbors.
Paula volunteers with us 4-5 times a week -- when she's not she can usually be found watching Star Trek, doing jigsaw puzzles or playing cards with friends. She loves to travel with her husband Brian (another one of our amazing volunteers!), visiting new places or their grandkids in California and Washington.
Food Justice Partner of the Month: Local Farmers Markets & Volunteers
In the heart of our community, a movement towards food justice and sustainability is thriving, thanks to the dedication of local Farmers Markets and their compassionate volunteers. Cottin's Farmers Market, Clinton Parkway Farmers Market, Lawrence Farmers Market, After the Harvest, and Master Gardeners have joined forces to make a significant impact on reducing food waste and supporting those in need through their generous donations to Just Food.
These markets, deeply rooted in the ethos of community care, have rallied their volunteers to collect and distribute leftover produce to Just Food. The impact of this collaboration has been nothing short of remarkable. Last year alone, these markets contributed an awe-inspiring 22,517 pounds of fresh, locally sourced food throughout the season. This year's efforts have already yielded a remarkable 16,217 pounds and are expected to surpass the previous year's total, with the markets continuing their operations until November.
Their contributions extend beyond mere pounds and ounces. These markets offer a diverse array of wholesome fruits, vegetables, breads, nuts, and more, enriching our local food landscape and fostering a deeper connection between producers and consumers. As we revel in the abundance they provide, it's essential to express our heartfelt gratitude to these markets and their selfless volunteers for their dedication to a more just and nourished community.
Get to Know the Just Food Staff
Aundrea Walker - Executive Director
Meet Aundrea Walker, the vibrant and passionate Executive Director at Just Food. Aundrea has been at the heart of Just Food's mission for the last eight years, working tirelessly to ensure that everyone in our community has access to the food they need.
When Aundrea isn't busy making an impact at Just Food, you'll find her enjoying her favorite pastimes on a sunny Saturday afternoon. She loves the thrill of disc golfing or the tranquility of kayaking, followed by a well-deserved happy hour with friends downtown. If you're ever Downtown, be sure to join her at Fish House for a delightful time.
At home, Aundrea lives with quite the lively bunch. Alongside her two kids, she shares her space with an adorable entourage of 7 dogs, 4 cats, 4 cows, 6 pigs, and 7 goats. It's safe to say her house is always buzzing with activity and furry friends.
Having called Lawrence home for the past 9 years, Aundrea has truly become a part of the community. Her favorite recurring event is the Farmer's Market, where she can be found every Saturday morning, strolling through the market, savoring the vibrant atmosphere and connecting with local farmers.
Here's an interesting tidbit about Aundrea—she's not only a food justice advocate, but also a proud owner of a 10-acre farm. Her love for nature and the outdoors extends beyond her work, and she even co-created the women's disc golf league in town, empowering and bringing together fellow female disc golf enthusiasts.
Aundrea's dedication and hard work at Just Food are truly commendable. The organization and the community deeply appreciate her unwavering commitment to ensuring that no one goes hungry and that everyone has access to nutritious food. Her passion for cooking and gardening shines through her work, and she initially started out as a volunteer at Just Food, making her journey all the more inspiring. Aundrea is a force to be reckoned with, a true advocate for food justice, and a beloved member of the Lawrence community.
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