Cogitator Jan 11, 2012

GUESTS

Susan Phipps from Phipps Realty and daughter-in-law of Joyce Phipps was with us for lunch.  Also, President Mike Gemma invited his good friend Jim Lazarides, formerly of the Kent Restaurant and now owner of Quaker Lane Marketing, a sports marketing company.

Susan and Joyce Phipps

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Judy Pratt, celebrating on the 15th.  And happy wedding anniversary to Ron Winde, married to Loretta 11 years as of January 12th.

CLUB ANNIVERSARY GALA/TASTE OF THE TOWN

Pat Lenihan will be very busy in the months ahead chairing two important committees.  Her plans include meeting with the Club's 50th Anniversary Gala committee on the 17th, and the Taste of the Town committee on Thursday the 26th, both at 8am at her Coldwell Banker office on Main Street.

The 50th Anniversary Gala has been booked, so mark those calendars for the big event.  It will be held on Saturday, March 30th, 2013 at the Crown Plaza in Warwick.  

Keep that pen out--Taste of the Town has also been scheduled.  It will be held at Swift Community Center on Friday, May 18th.  You won't want to miss this night, which has proved to be two important things for our club--a great springtime social event, and, a very successful fundraiser for Project/Charity Funds.

PAUL HARRIS AWARD

George Popella presented Judy Pratt with a second Paul Harris Award pin.  He then announced the first selectee of the club's newest 5-member Paul Harris Team, President-Elect Ken Colaluca.  Congratulations, Judy and Ken!  Finally, George also reminded the club as to how simple it is to go online and contribute directly to the Rotary Foundation.  

www.rotary.org/FOUNDATION

COMMUNITY SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chuck Sauer updated the club on the family to whom we have offered so much support recently.  This family not only lost their belongings in an apartment fire, but the father has been recovering from serious injuries suffered while on a military mission in Afghanistan.  They have successfully secured lodging for 6 months, and, the dad has now been moved to a West Point hospital where he continues his rehabilitation.  

Chuck also read a letter of thanks from the United Methodist Church.  Our generous REAP (Rotary Emergency Assistance Program) contributions helped 28 local kids right before Christmas.  

Lastly, some incredible news...Chuck was able to secure a $3,000 Walmart Foundation for Hunger Grant.  He will enjoy being able to put that money to work, in Rotary's name.  Chuck is now looking at ways to potentially multiply that amount so as to help as many as possible fellow Rhode Islanders.  

MAKE-UPS

President Mike reminded all to make sure you get your make-up meetings done in a timely fashion, and get your make-up slips to Secretary Jodi Gladstone.  Mike also mentioned, in case you weren't aware, that Rotary make-ups can be done online. 

ROTARY SHELTER BOXES

Matt D'Agenais, just inducted a week ago, did a fine job in his first official Rotary duty, sharing with the club information about Rotary Shelter Boxes.  Shelter Boxes have become symbols of hope for many in need after natural disasters.  These ingeniously designed 'tents' provide shelter and washing areas, but can also be converted easily into cots and tables.  Each one contains simple supplies like pens, pencils, mosquito netting, water purification, stoves, food utensils, and blankets.  Rotary's goal is to provide 50,000 Shelter Boxes around the world.  (Nice work, Matt!)  

Jane Boynton, our International Service Director, added that Shelter Boxes cost $1,000 apiece, and each can house 10 people for 6 months.  Our club has donated to date $3,500 for Shelter Boxes, in our efforts to assist both Japan and Pakistan after recent disasters.         

http://www.shelterbox.org/about.php?page=9

SPEAKER/PROGRAM

Steve and Chris Bartlett, Directors of the East Greenwich Interfaith Food Cupboard 

Several years ago, Jim Dickerson turned over the reins of the East Greenwich Interfaith Food Cupboard to Steve and Chris Bartlett.  For the Bartletts, the 'Cupboard' has become a place in which they can lend a hand serving those in need.      

Now in its 30th year, it is located next to St. Luke's Church on Peirce Street in East Greenwich.  The Interfaith Food Cupboard is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 10:30am to noon, in a St. Luke's classroom.  Volunteers help people in need select food including staples, canned goods, and even frozen meats.   

In 2010, over 2,000 people were helped as the Cupboard gave out over 22,000 food items.  In 2011, over 2,600 people visited, and they received over 31,000 food items.  Typically, 40% of the food the Cupboard is able to give out has been donated, while 60% of their food is purchased.  Last year, however, over 50% of all food was donated, a happy surprise to Steve and Chris. 

Donations of food come from local businesses like Stop and Shop, Panera Bread, Pepperidge Farms, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. 

The Cupboard is a 501(c)(3) organization with a board of directors that meets monthly.  They are helped in their ministry by clergy, community leaders, and many volunteers.  The East Greenwich High School just this past Christmas donated over 500 items in a campaign to assist in the Bartlett's wonderful community work.

If people show up, noted Steve, they are entitled to food without means testing.  A regular day will include 15-20 families seeking food.  'There is a real hunger issue  even in our affluent community of East Greenwich,' said Steve.  Many seniors living on fixed incomes especially need the Cupboard, as do part-time or seasonal worker like local fishermen and quahoggers. 

Other groups of people who Steve and Chris see regularly include veterans, physically disabled folks, unemployed and under-employed locals, immigrants, and 'people who have simply slipped through the cracks.'  He also noted that there is a very positive social aspect of the East Greenwich Interfaith Cupboard.  It is a place to gather, see friends and acquaintances, chat, and to get help in more ways than one.  

The Bartletts thanked the Rotary Club of East Greenwich for its terrific support over the past years, including last year's efforts during the Feinstein Hunger Challenge.