Rotary announces partnerships with food bank network and youth service group

 

 

Top: The Global FoodBanking Network works with food banks in 19 countries to collect goods that would otherwise go to waste from sources such as stores, manufacturers, restaurants, and farms, and distribute them through local pantries, soup kitchens, hospices, and school programs. Bottom: Craig Nemitz (left), director of field services for The Global FoodBanking Network and a member of the Rotary Club of Channahon-Minooka, Illinois, USA, presents a banner to Rotarian Hennie de Bruin, a strong supporter of FoodBank South Africa in Johannesburg. Photos courtesy of Global FoodBanking Network

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Two new service partnerships announced this month by Rotary International will support humanitarian efforts by clubs and districts.

RI will combine resources with the Global FoodBanking Network to alleviate hunger worldwide. And Rotary and YSA (Youth Service America) will work together to encourage young people to participate in service projects in their communities.

Working with the Global FoodBanking Network, Rotary clubs and districts will be able to volunteer at food banks and help create new ones, organize food collection drives, sponsor trucks for food delivery and distribution, raise awareness of hunger, and distribute food to hungry children through the BackPack and other school food programs.

“Rotarians have served selflessly in the communities where we are developing and expanding food banks,” says Jeffery D. Klein, CEO of the Global FoodBanking Network. “We want to connect Rotary clubs and districts to service projects and food distribution in the more than 20 countries where we are currently engaged in food banking activity, and inspire them to take leadership in this generation’s quest to end hunger.”

Opportunities for youth

Founded in 1986, YSA has partnered with hundreds of organizations in more than 65 countries to increase the number and diversity of young people ages 5 to 25 serving in their communities. The organization works to educate youth, teachers, community organizations, and public officials in the power of young people to solve problems, and to engage the children and youth as volunteers, academic achievers, and community leaders.

YSA’s annual Global Youth Service Day campaign, this year 20-22 April, mobilizes millions of young people in service activities.

Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs and districts are encouraged to use YSA resources and participate in the organization’s activities. Interact and Rotaract clubs and districts are also encouraged to take part in Global Youth Service Day by registering their projects with YSA.

Among the clubs participating in this year’s event is the Interact Club of AMES-Cottonwood, Utah, USA, which will host a mini marathon. Funds from the race will be donated to Salt Lake Donated Dental Services, a nonprofit organization that provides dental treatment to underprivileged residents.

For more information:

• Learn more about YSA.
• Learn more about the Global FoodBanking Network.
• Read an interview with Craig Nemitz, director of field services at the Global FoodBanking Network and a member of the Rotary Club of Channahon-Minooka, Illinois, USA.
• Read more about Rotary’s other service partnerships and how clubs and districts benefit by working with other organizations.