Making it Happen

Erin Hagan 02/03/2016

Making It Happen

What are some of your biggest goals? Graduating college? Finding your perfect soulmate? Traveling the world? Making a family? Buying a home? Losing weight? Owning a business?

Here at Upstate Family Resource Center, we are setting goals with clients in our community in order to help them reach financial stability. Some goals may be simple while others may be a bit more challenging to achieve. However, no matter the challenge we want everyone to realize that anything can be achieved if they only set their mind to it. It all begins with determination and a plan. But what do we do when our goal(s) fail?

I remember graduating high school and having a big goal of being a respiratory therapist in the future. So off to college I went. I was prepared with books, scrubs, a stethoscope, and anything else this program would require of me. I was on top of the world and no one could stop me. I was learning new things daily about this career path I had chosen and loving every minute of it. Until something changed and my dream was shattered. We began clinical's and working with patients who weren’t going to survive. We started working with premature babies whose lives were hanging in the balance. It was just too much to take on. I got attached to these patients easily and when their life was over here on earth it was so overwhelming to me. So I made the hard decision to withdraw from my classes because I knew I couldn’t take that stress at work every day. Sometimes life throws you curve balls and you have to make the decision to pick up your boot straps and keep pressing on. So after this happened I began setting new goals for myself and today I am happy with that hard decision I had to make.

So the best thing to keep in mind is setting a goal in life has no limits. Never be afraid to better yourself or your family. Make it happen and if it doesn’t happen, keep moving forward anyway. 

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude" -Thomas Jefferson 

Is it really February already? Where has January gone? It must be everything at the Center keeping us on our toes that has allowed the time to fly by.

 In January, UFRC signed up to be a part or Rummage for a Reason. Rummage for a Reason is a cooperative fundraising event coordinated by Uptown Sertoma Club benefiting participating nonprofits (like us!). We will be selling new and like-new items to help raise money for the Center. So mark your calendars for Rummage for a Reason begins Friday, February 26th from 6-8 pm with a Pre-sale (tickets $5) and the Public Sale begins 8 am Saturday February 27th (location TBA), so check back in for information on some really great items! 

UFRC is set up to host a poverty simulation that will give anyone a chance to go through an experience of living in poverty. The simulation is a real life situation that will take two hours for you to live out you life’s story in poverty. This simulation will take place at the end of March. UFRC also took a trip down to Vocational Rehab. We learned about the resources available to help individuals with disabilities including physical and mental impairment to find jobs in the Spartanburg area. We are very excited about this partnership and being able to have a resource like Vocational Rehab to help our families thrive!

February looks to be an equally busy month! Our VITA program starts off tomorrow! VITA stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, and is a group of volunteers that will file taxes for free for an income of up to $54,000. For more information read our post below or call the Center! We are also looking to have our new website finished by the end of the month. We are uploading content and helping create a dynamite new look that everyone will enjoy!

Comment below on something you would like to see on our new website!

What are you up to on Tuesday Afternoons?

By, Barry White

Do you know what one of the best kept secrets in our community is the Upstate Family Resource Center?  This organization provides tremendous value to the fellow citizens.  Most of it is under the radar. One of these little known but valued services is VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).  On any given Tuesday afternoon in February and March you will find up to fourteen dedicated volunteers diligently preparing tax returns - Free of Charge – for local families with a combined income of under $54,000.  Today’s tax laws, especially with the addition of last year’s Affordable Care Act have made it all but impossible to prepare returns without the aid of a computer. 

After the tax forms are completed and signed by the individual, both the Federal and state forms are electronically filed, again without any cost to the family.  If a refund is due, individuals can expect to receive it in approximately two weeks.

Last year 272 returns were processed at the Upstate Family Resource Center resulting in over $278,500 in Federal refunds and $94,700 in state refunds. 

Our volunteers are all, certified by the IRS, are ready and eager to assist those requiring our services. To apply for an appointment simply contact the United Way of the Piedmont at 582-2975. 

Also, If you would like to help, contact the Upstate Family Resource Center at 578-1379.  It is not too late.  Training is provided.  Catch that “Feel Good Feeling” by helping your neighbor today!  

Creating Fun Memories with your Little One.

By, Angela Jones

When I was a teenager, one of my favorite songs was Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”.  (Yes, I know this shows my age, and yes, I totally rocked the huge permed hair)  I loved this song because it captured and stressed the importance of having fun!  With that being said, I believe that this also holds true with our children.  Today’s children are bombarded with technology, so much, that even my 4 year old niece can operate my smartphone better than I can.

This overuse of technology can sometimes overshadow the simple joy and importance of play.  Getting out the glue sticks, scissors, and construction paper can create fun activities and interaction with our kids.  This basic, “old-fashioned” fun is what we provide in our “Mommy and Me” meetings that are held at Hendrix Elementary once a month. These meetings are for parents and their child/children ages birth to 4 who are not yet enrolled in school.  We have story time, a fun make it- take it craft, and snacks.  Children love to have fun, and they love to spend time with their parents. After all, parents are their child’s first and most important teacher!  Spending one on one time reading, playing, and engaging with our children promotes healthy bonding relationships, early brain development, and most importantly lasting fun memories! 

Our next “Mommy and Me” meeting will be held Monday, February 8, 2016 at 8:00am at Hendrix Elementary School.  Come out and enjoy this time with your little ones, and remember: Kids Just Wanna Have Fun!!

Live at the Center

Happy New Year’s everyone! UFRC is back in action and is determined to have its best year yet! This past year we had some great accomplishments and wanted to make sure you all are up to date on what’s going on!

In January of 2015 we kicked off our financial Saving Up’ program. We provided wonderful learning opportunities for families throughout the year and matched their savings up to $300. We had 6 families save up to $300 each for a total savings of over $3,600. We have great faith that they are well prepared for the New Year ahead.

 We also wrapped up our first year with our Ace Scholars Tutoring program at Carlisle Foster's Grove elementary school. Our students showed amazing improvements with their average test scores increasing by 18.79 points.

In November we wrapped up Auction for a Cause. We had a great turn out and were very glad to see many of your smiling faces there! We raised over $18,000! In December we also hosted our annual Santa Shoppe. Qualified clients shopped for their children and wrapped up some really cool presents! We were also very privileged to make sure each child had a pair of socks this Christmas. Thank you to Knights Apparel for over 1,600 pairs of socks. Our Community generously made our Christmas Shoppe extra special this year.

Now on to January! This month we have a lot in motion. The Center is looking to update and expand our website. We will also launch our Strive to Thrive University. This awesome learning opportunity will help families earn resource bucks for items that they need from our Center. Stay tuned for more details to come!

Our GED, Workkeys and ESL classes have started up again today and it feels great to have everyone back in the building. UFRC is ready for the New Year and the exciting changes to come. Helping families thrive is our mission. What changes are you making this year that could have positive impact on you and your community? Please share in the comments section below. 

Food Drive This Weekend!

This weekend dozens of our supporters will be serving and collecting food at the Walmart and two Ingles Stores on Hwy 9. 

 

We need your help in two ways….

First please share this blog. Second, please give. We have some specific needs, but would also love to receive what God puts on your heart as we work hard to meet the needs of both families and children in our community that are in need of a hand up. 

 We will be serving starting at 9:00 AM thru 6:00 PM at the following store locations:

• Ingles - 4600 Hwy 9, Inman
• Inges -  2120 Boiling Springs Road, Spartanburg
• Walmart - 4000 SC-9, Boiling Springs

Thank you in advance!

All of us at The Upstate Family Resource Center… 

Healthy Smiles, Healthy Kids

Manda Hughson, Healthy Smiles of Spartanburg, contributed to this blog.  Thank you Manda for your work in keeping kids healthy and smiling!

 

 

Healthy Smiles Mobile Dental Clinic!

I am pleased to announce that we will be instituting a free mobile dental clinic in districts 1 and 7 this fall. This will be our first year pilot program to test the waters. If it is successful, we will implement the mobile dental unit in all districts so that we may reach all children in need.

Our mobile dental clinic will perform comprehensive dental exams, dental cleanings and x-rays. We hope to add more restorative work ( Fillings, extractions etc.)next year.

How you qualify for our program

1.)   You must not have dental insurance or Medicaid

2.)   You must be a student in a Spartanburg county school.

3.)   You must qualify for free or reduced lunch.

We will determine who qualifies for our program through our yearly dental screenings in the schools. This program is a way to reach those that do qualify but cannot make it to our dental clinic at The Spartanburg Community College on weekends about 4 times a month. Transportation can be difficult for a lot of people.

 

Hand for your reading pleasure--here are some fun dental facts!!

 

 

 

 

1.       51 million school hours per year are lost because of dental related illness.

2.       Flossing can increase your life expectancy by 6 years.

3.       There are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people in the world.

4.       Brush twice a day, floss and rinse once a day for a cavity free mouth.

5.       Smiling boosts your immune system.

6.       If you drink sugary sodas or juice you are 63% more likely to get cavities.

7.       More people use blue toothbrushes than red ones.

8.       Giraffes have the same number of teeth as humans. 32!!

9.       In Medieval Germany, the only cure for a toothache was to kiss a donkey.

10.   The cotton candy making machine that made widely consumed cotton candy possible was co-invented by a dentist. Before it was cotton candy, the fluffy confection was called “fairy floss.”

11.   An elephants tooth can weigh 6 pounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pieces to stability...

Do you often wonder how a program at the UFRC affects you-even if you are not a participant? Just because you are not the person seeking food assistance or reaching out for guidance as a teenage mother, does not mean that your life is not impacted somehow.

Did you know that high school dropouts cost American taxpayers over $320 billion each year?  Or that they would earn $1,000,000 less than a college graduate over their lifetime (note: this is discussed in a Family Solutions Program session which has a session focusing on education).  Are you aware that someone could be employed and be food insecure?  There are 24% of children in Spartanburg County who are food insecure but their family earns too much to receive SNAP benefits.  The UFRC is here to help any family, in any situation.

Economic Stability Programming

The value of assistance families received is graphed below.  Take a look at our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program!  246 tax returns were prepared by a small group of faithful volunteers!!!  Over $240,000 of Federal Refunds were received! 

Saving Up! is one of our new programs.  Individuals or families with earned income could sign up.  Participants had monthly classes covering a range of subjects from basic budgeting to preparing for Christmas.  For every $25 saved, we matched $25 (up to $300)- that is potential savings of $600 in one year!

A new piece of the "puzzle" is Goal Setting.  We want to provide our clients with the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and we, along with other Spartanburg County agencies, are working to implement strategies for clients to identify their own strengths and personal values to reach their goals. 

Adult Education

90.38%

Percentage of GED students who reached their educational goal level 

(i.e. improved reading or math skills a grade level or obtained their GED)

Work Keys Certificates Obtained last school year:  

ACT WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system that helps employers select, hire, train, develop, and retain a high-performance workforce. This series of tests measures foundational and soft skills and offers specialized assessments to target institutional needs.  Spartanburg County is an ACT Work Ready Community.

Spartanburg is Making Strides

Liv Hayes
Care Case Manager, Upstate Family Resource Center
South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Summer Institute participant

This is such an exciting time to be involved in preventing teen pregnancy in South Carolina, especially in Spartanburg!  Those of us who have been involved in this initiative know how far we have come but appreciate the importance of maintaining the momentum and continuing along the path we have begun.  I have served on the South Carolina Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy’s Not Right Now committee and have attended Summer Institute many times.  I have gained so much insight into not only the issues that our youth face, but how our various communities are approaching these issues and what strategies are working best.  Attending Summer Institutes have increased my confidence in talking about teen pregnancy prevention and many other issues that go along with it.  I have gained a heightened sense of community pride, because I think Spartanburg is doing so many things well.  Spartanburg is very fortunate to have a united front of individuals, non-profit organizations, Foundations, other organizations, businesses and the faith based communities all working together with a common set of goals, all of which overlap and are interconnected.  Summer Institute helps to increase our community’s understanding that teen pregnancy affects multiple areas of our community’s well-being, growth and development.  Our community has developed a better appreciation for the need to saturate the populations we are working with, by providing a variety of evidenced based services and programs to these populations and by also always striving to follow current trends in best practices.  Spartanburg’s approach has been deliberate and effective, targeting those most at risk populations for primary prevention and intervening with a lot of support and guidance to the pregnant and parenting adolescents.  We are fortunate to have Summer Institutes every year to provide participants with strategies that impact young people’s health, futures, and communities.

It's that time of year again; time to start the ball rolling for our Christmas for Kids Program!

However you feel about Christmas, I know one thing, holidays and family traditions are important to any community.  Helping families thrive is key to making our community stronger and having parents that believe in themselves and children who believe in their parents is a huge part of the makings for a strong family.

 We are excited to announce that this year, parents/guardians will get to personally shop for their children.  Our goal is to preserve the pride and dignity of the families we serve in our community. We accomplish this by providing families the pleasure of choosing their children’s Christmas gifts.  We believe families will prefer this practice rather than receiving a hand out.

This new experience is a unique giving opportunity at Christmas because it provides two gifts in one:

1) The gift of presents for children and
2) The gift of pride for the parents who are able to provide for their families

We can only offer this program through the generous support of our partners.  We hope that you would consider supporting us this Christmas season.  There are more details below:

What: Christmas for Kids Toy Drive 2014

Where: Upstate Family Resource Center

When: Donations – NOW through December 1st

How you can help:

Monetary Gifts – Gifts of $25 to $5000 helps to supplement our toy drive by supplying any toys/gifts for the sale that we do not receive through donation.

     Send Monetary Donations to:
      Upstate Family Resource Center: 1850 Old Furnace Rd, Boiling Springs, SC 29316

     Memo: Christmas for Kids

Toy Drives – Establish a toy drive at your church or business.  We will provide you with a list of needed items, promotional materials, pick-up of toys, as well as, speaking to your group.  New and gently used toys only please!  **Please contact Jessica McKinney if you and/or your group are holding a toy drive.  Jessica will provide you with a tool kit.

Drop of Toy Donations (Monday-Friday 8:30AM - 5PM):
Upstate Family Resource Center: 1850 Old Furnace Rd, Boiling Springs, SC 29316

* All Gifts and Donations are 100% tax deductible

  

For simplicity, we also have set up a wish list on Amazon.  Click the purple link below to:Purchase toys from Amazon from our Wish List

For a printable list, click HERE

 Who to Contact:

For donations/drives: Jessica McKinney or Robert Coulston:

·        (864) 578-1385

·        Jessica.mckinney@spartanburg2.k12.sc.us

·        Robert.coulston@spartanburg2.k12.sc.us

***If you know a family with children attending Spartanburg County School District 2 schools, please share THIS information.***

Spartanburg artist opportunity!! --Sunday Art Market at the Chapman Cultural Center

The Chapman Cultural Center announces upcoming Sunday Art Markets.  These will take place every Sunday from 1pm to 5pm starting on July 14th.  The CCC would like to extend an invitation to all local artists to complete the attached contract that they can bring with them the first Sunday that they set up. 

The cost is $10 per artist or non-profit artist group per year.  This small fee will help CCC advertise with signs, banners, posters, and some newspaper ads.  The CCC will of course promote the Art Market with email blasts, facebook and other free social networking, too. 

The Spartanburg Art Museum, the Regional History Museum and the Science Center at the Chapman Cultural Center are currently open on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm and also has live music each Sunday.  The Little Theatre and Youth Theatre often hold performance Sunday afternoons and all of these attractions bring people in.  The CCC is eager to get the visual arts community added into the mix, as they are sure that will be a big draw to bring even more people to the campus and help families discover what a rich mix of culture Spartanburg has to offer.  The CCC hopes that the artists will find this a pleasant and profitable experience and hopes that the Spartanburg community at large will begin to look forward to spending Sunday afternoons here, taking in the art and music. 

Melissa Earley

Ticket Office Manager   
Chapman Cultural Center
200 East St. John Street  |  Spartanburg, SC 29306
http://www.chapmanculturalcenter.org                                                       

p 864.542.2787  |  f 864.948.5353  
mearley@spartanarts.org  

 

Tell Someone Who Could Use The Help!

Check out this GREAT -HEALTHY- recipe from Super Healthy Kids!

For more fun, healthy and kid-friendly recipes visit:
www.superhealthykids.com

Cheesy Cauliflower Dippers

I'm going to admit something. I don't like raw cauliflower. Over the years there are a variety of foods that I have convinced myself to like and now I love them! Raw cauliflower is not one of those. But I do LOVE cooked cauliflower. So apparently there is a cauliflower crazy going on. My husband is trying to drop a few pounds and so has been talking to one of his friends who recently has lost a lot of weight. His secret?? Cauliflower! Every night he would steam a head of cauliflower and then blend it with cottage cheese to make a cauliflower mash. That was his dinner. Of course my husband jumped on the bandwagon and our house smelled of cauliflower for a few weeks. Which by the way is one of the stinkiest smells. Those cruciferous veggies just get to you. In fact, when I was making this recipe, I was only on the first few steps - so chopping the cauliflower, and my 4 year old from the other room said 'Mom - what is that stinky smell??'. Ha. The good thing about this recipe is that it may start out with the traditional cauliflower smell, but end ups making your kitchen smell just like an Italian restaurant. My 2 year old woke up from her nap when it was baking in the oven and said 'Mom I want pizza!'.


The great thing about this recipe is you get the flavor of a bread stick, with the added nutrition of cauliflower. Not to mention WAY less calories. In fact, an entire head of cauliflower has about 145 calories. You will probably want to double this recipe because these dippers will be gone in a flash. They really are that good. Now don't get me wrong, you can tell it isn't bread, but the flavor is so good you won't mind that. My kids certainly didn't.

You begin by rinsing a head of cauliflower and roughly chopping.

In a food processor, pulse the cauliflower until it is chopped into very fine pieces.

Next, heat about 1 inch of water in a pot until it boils. Then place the cauliflower mixture in the water and steam for about 4-5 minutes. Cover with a lid, but watch it close because it can boil over quickly. Don't ask me how I know this........ Once the cauliflower is steamed, place in a fine mesh strainer. If you put in a regular colander it will run through the holes. Squish as much water out of it as you can with a large spoon.

When you have squeezed as much water out of the cauliflower as you can, place in a clean dry towel. Squeeze in extra water out. Be careful because HOT water will come out! This step is important because it helps your 'crust' to get crunchy.

Next combine the cauliflower and the rest of the ingredients in a bowl (Use only 1/2 the mozzarella and none of the Parmesan - that is to go on top) Mix well.

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Then spoon the mixture onto the parchment paper and form a 'loaf' with your hands. This recipe makes enough to form a square about 8 1/2'' x 11''.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until it is golden brown and the crust is set. Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Place in the oven for 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove and slice. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce for dipping.

Perfect for a snack, appetizer, or even for lunch!

Print

Cheesy Cauliflower Dippers

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Instructions

• 1 medium head cauliflower
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided in half
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic salt

1. Wash and clean the cauliflower and cut it into chunks. Make sure you remove the core.
2. Place the cauliflower in a food processor and pulse it until it’s a “rice” consistency
3. In a large saucepan, heat one inch of water until it boils. Add in the cauliflower, cover with a lid, and allow it to steam for 4-5 minutes. Watch it close so that it doesn't boil over!
4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
5. Use a fine mesh strainer to drain the cauliflower. Allow it to cool for a few minutes, then place the cauliflower in a clean dish towel and squeeze as hard as you can to remove any excess water.
6. Once the cauliflower rice is drained really well, place it into a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, 1 egg slightly beaten, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, and 1/2 teaspoon Garlic salt. Stir the mixture well.
7. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it lightly with cooking spray. Spoon the cauliflower mixture onto the pan and use your hands to form it into a 8 1/2 x 11 inch rectangle.
8. Place in the oven for 30 minutes, or even longer until the crust is golden brown and firm.
9. Remove the crust from the oven and top the crust with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
10. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
11. Cut into “breadsticks” and serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping. Makes about 10 breadsticks. This recipe could easily be doubled.

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Yield

~10 Breadsticks

Guest Blog!!

From Dr. Mercer and his blog, Leadership Notes:

Coming To America-- April 12, 2013

Last evening, with thunder clouds rolling in outside, seven area families were recognized at a dinner at the Upstate Family Resource Center for bringing a foreign exchange student into their homes this year. In collaboration with the EF Foundation, the UFRC facilitated the exchange. The Foundation, a family-owned non-profit whose mission is to break down barriers of language and culture through education and travel, was represented by Bob Fredette who flew in from Boston for the event.
The students have been here since this past summer and are from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany, South Korea, Italy and Spain. Three are enrolled at Boiling Springs High, two at Chesnee High and one each at Byrnes and Landrum. They have truly been immersed in American culture, and they have given us a glimpse of life from their homelands.They have learned about Krispy Kreme donuts, neighborhood ice cream trucks, peanut butter, Chick-Fil-A, high school football and school spirit, NASCAR, and Wal-Mart. They have been to Sliding Rock and Grandfather Mountain, the Grand Canyon, New York City, and Las Vegas. Some have learned to water ski or have participated in our athletic programs and pageants.
The host parents offered some insight and related some truly insightful comments. One said, "Since she came there have been tons of laughter in our house." Another stated, "Our daughter wanted an exchange student for her birthday. We are now as close as any of our children are." "He has been a blessing from God." "An eye opener in how they live their lives compared to how we live ours." "Not for the faint of heart; it's not easy, but oh the joy." One father said that he has learned, "No matter where you go in the world, teenage girls act the same."
Apparently there is quite a desire for students from around the world to visit America. Mr. Fredette said the Foundation gets 30,000 applicants each year which they narrow to 3,000. Host families may then go on-line to read profiles and letters from the potential students to find a match for their family. From the YouTube videos the students had put together, it seems they have truly embraced and enjoyed the year, as well.
If you have ever thought about hosting an international exchange student, give Kelley Ezell at the UFRC a call (864.578.1379), and she can tell you more about it. It also benefits the Center as the EF Foundation donated $7,000 in appreciation of the Center's involvement to help them find families.

Be a part of the Upstate Global Community

This was the inaugrial year for the partnership between the Upstate Family Resource Center and the EF Foundation, and what a wonderful year it has been!
Seven students from seven different countries came to our community to experience life in America and to share their culture as well.  It is safe to say that these teenagers have done more in this one school year than most teenagers do before adulthood.
The benefits are not only for the students--- their host families learn about a new culture first hand and gain a lasting friendship with the student and their families.

**don't miss the student videos at the bottom of this post**

Some of the exchange students had to opportunity to read to elementary school students

German exchange student, Marco, reads to Hendrix Elementary Students

Finnish exchange student, Reetta, reads to students at Boiling Springs Elementary School

 

Several students even created videos about their experiences--CHECK THESE OUT!
Iselin's video (voted best video by EF Foundation)
Francesca's video
Reetta's video
Marco's video


Interested in hosting a foreign exchange student next school year???   Call Kelley! 578-6013 For more information, visit the EF Foundation's website

Bi-Lo Helps Our 4 Legged Friends

PRESS RELEASE

BI-LO, LLC. | 208 BI-LO BLVD.   | GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA 29607 | (864)-213-2500

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Michelle Lisotto

BI-LO, LLC.

(423) 309-6424 (cell)

MichelleLisotto@sjp.com

BI-LO Teams with Shoppers to Stock Shelves with Pet Food at Local Food Banks
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 3, 2012)


— BI-LO is committed to helping the community and its customers receive the resources they need to care for the ones they love during tough financial times. BI-LO’s care extends beyond the reach of just individuals and family members to also include beloved household pets.

Beginning today through Tuesday, April 30, BI-LO will host its fourth annual PAWS "Feed the Love" campaign. "Feed the Love" is a pet food drive in which food donations go to local-area food banks for families in need to be able to provide food for the four-legged members of their families.

Shoppers can purchase a $5 bag of pet food with the MY BI-LO BONUSCARD, and the food will be picked up by or delivered to the store’s food bank partner. The bag contains a week’s worth of dry and canned packages of PAWS Premium, BI-LO’s own brand of high-quality, nutritional and affordably priced cat and dog food.

Nationally, approximately seven million pets are surrendered to shelters each year due to the inability of the owners to pay for food. Through "Feed the Love," BI-LO hopes to help reduce that number in its area. Since 2010, the campaign has provided more than 85 tons of pet food for families in need throughout BI-LO’s operating market.

"It is important to us that we provide opportunities such as this for our customers to assist members of their community who face the difficult decision of feeding themselves or their pets," said Mike Russell, category manager for BI-LO. "BI-LO cares about the wellbeing of our community, and ‘Feed the Love’ is about giving back to pets that also go hungry."

For every bag purchased, BI-LO customers will receive an additional 5 cents per gallon in fuelperks! Rewards, BI-LO’s program that saves customers money on gas just for buying groceries.

 

Father Finds Success with Family Solutions

Many families go through a difficult time with their teenage children.  Lack of effective communication, frustration, and negativity can put a strain on any parent/child relationship.  The following is a letter we received from a father who participated in the Family Solutions Program last year.  This family was struggling with many of the same issues other families struggle with.  They made the commitment to participate in the 10 week program and found they became a stronger, closer family.

 

I think this course has helped my family and me in several ways.  From dealing with communication issues to career planning for my children, the benefits of learning these fundamental skills far outweigh a lazy evening watching television at home on the couch.

The class that helped me the most was the one where we did the family challenge.  We had to construct a structure out of tooth picks and jelly candy.  The trick is that we couldn’t talk.  We struggled at first, but then prevailed.  Unfortunately, I had become so stressed at home that I couldn’t even enjoy playing a game with my kids.  This activity opened that back up to me and we now play board games a good bit.

The second skill that I really have picked up on was our communication.  Every night I actually look forward to talking about the kids' days with them.  Before it was a cursory question, as we walked in the door.  Now I make the point to listen to each thing they say and open them up to more topics.

My kids also learned a lot and still talk about the education segment and making money.  I think this may have opened their eyes for their future needs.

I will continue to use these new skills and training.  I hope I can make our family stronger and happier.

 

Interested in learning more about the Family Solutions Program?  A session is organizing now! Contact Liv Hayes, 578-6013.

Don't Miss!
For a fun cand easy way to connect with kids, click for a Conversation Generator!