Last weeks program was provided by Rotarian Matt Buzza.  Matt’s guest speaker was Mary Heysek, Executive Director of the Plant City United Food Bank.  Mary Heysek, proudly joined the United Food Bank Board of Directors in 2011 and served on the Executive Board of Directors since January, 2015. Currently she is the owner/partner at MedStat Healthcare Services, Inc. Prior to MedStat, she was involved in the start up of MedLink Corporation and has more than twenty years of experience in the healthcare industry. Mary has developed in depth knowledge of A/R management strategies, physician recruitment, billing and back office operations, ROI development and marketing and promotions. Mary has been active in serving the community including the Plant City YMCA, Co Chair of the Child Abuse Council, Friends of the Library, Board Member of Home Owners Association, SPCA, and past PTA president for 5 years. Mary has four sons, which include triplet boys. Her hobbies and interest include running/fitness, animals, and tennis. The Mission of the United Food Bank and Services of Plant City is to provide assistance for the needy in moving them from a “state of hunger” and “impoverishment” to self-sufficiency, empowerment and self-reliance.  The Vision is to stamp-out hunger in East Hillsborough County and raise the standard of living for the truly needy. Offering opportunities for self improvement, education, job skills and enhancing life for individuals and families; thus affecting change for the community.  The Food Bank serves families in Dover, Lithia, Plant City, Riverview, Seffner, Sydney/Dover, Valrico and Thonotosassa.  Most of the people served are the “working poor”.  These people have jobs but are one paycheck, medical expense or car repair away from disaster.  The Food Bank is there to assist with a “hand up, not a hand out”.  In 2018 the Food Bank served 49,240 people through various programs and took in 1,430,981 pounds of food and distributed 1,336,522 pounds.  The goal is to move these people out of the cycle and into self-sufficiency.  It’s not just food.  The UFB offers several “educational” programs to help improve the lives of those in our community.  The Children’s Nutrition Outreach Program, a vital piece of the programmatic offering, was created from the need to ensure children had year round access to free nutritious meals. During the school year, eligible children qualify for free or reduced cost breakfast and lunch through the National School Lunch Program. However, when these children are out of school for the holiday and summer vacation breaks, they don’t always have the same access to food, and many are at risk of going without eating at least twice daily. When the UFB considered this crucial gap in services, the agency initiated the Children’s Nutrition Outreach Program to provide children and their families’ groceries to supplement the school’s food program.  Now, these families are assured of having breakfast and lunch for their children throughout the calendar year. The UFB works closely with the local Hillsborough County Public Schools Area 6 to readily identify those students eligible for participation.  Through the assistance of local and national food assistance programs, Feeding Tampa Bay is able to provide nutritious, fresh foods to Americans struggling with hunger; safe and nurturing places for children to have a meal; emergency assistance for disaster victims; as well as a chance at self-sufficiency for adults trying to break the cycle of poverty and hunger.  This event is on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Other outreach services include: Seasonal Flu Shots, GED Referral Program, Free Hair Cuts, Grief Counseling, ACCESS Site, Veterans Outreach Program, Job Search and Placement, In-House Work Experience Internship, Diabetes Prevention Classes Sponsored By Florida Dept. of Health, Healthy Literacy Classes Sponsored By Florida Blue and FDIC Money Smart Classes.  The United Food Bank has an great impact on our community and the donations from the Noon Plant City Rotary Club are greatly appreciated!  To volunteer time, money or talents, let Mary know! - Submitted by Mike Arndt

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