Articles and Information from GA Foods

This week is National Summer Food Service Program Kickoff Week, a program that ensures children and teens have access to nutritious meals when school lets out. Federal assistance, through the program, is provided to state agencies and non-profit sponsors to help children receive nutrition when school is not in session. Nearly 21.5 million children are eligible for this program, yet only 1 in 6 of them currently receive this according to a 2016 report from the Food Research Action Center.

Poor nutrition during the summer months affects the child's academic performance during the school year. It is one of the many reasons the summer program is essential. While in school, students across the country are eating healthier than ever thanks to the Hunger-Free Kids Act. Students are receiving meals with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and low-fat dairy, which are low in sugar, fat, and sodium. Summer feeding programs continue these great meals and help students return to school ready to learn.

Social media is growing fast, even in the nonprofit world. Facebook alone has 79% of internet users in the US logging in. Instagram added over 200 million users in 2017,  with 500 million using the service daily. Social media is a powerhouse for reaching your community and recruiting volunteers.

Healthcare in America is booming. New innovative technology, medicine, and techniques are continually improving recovery, life expectancy, and quality of life.

Every May, our nation observes Older Americans Month. This comes from the Administration on Aging, a division in the Federal Government. This years theme of Older Americans Month is "Engage at Every Age" with an emphasis on "you are never too old." The Administration on Aging suggests "to take part in activities that can enrich your physical, mental, and emotional well-being." One of the most important parts of physical activity is a healthy diet.

For older Americans, this can be more challenging. As we age, our sense of taste and smell change. We face dental issues like missing teeth, sore gums, or poorly fitting dentures. Saliva production decreases, often making it harder to swallow, and ultimately reducing our appetites.

Finding volunteers is challenging, and the needs of your organization grow every day. Learning how to use community partnerships as a source for volunteers provides a pool of people already invested in your cause: the community.

Here are ways to use community partnerships as a source for volunteers.

Fundraising can be a challenging task for your senior nonprofit. There are several factors to consider including donor reception, budget, and estimated time commitment. Another factor to consider; is this a small, quick, and easy fundraiser to support an immediate need or is this a long-term, large fundraising event to help fund your nonprofit for an extended period? 

Whether it is long-term or short-term fundraising event, it is challenging to think of event ideas, so we compiled a list of fundraising ideas for senior nonprofits. The ideas range from fun, to easy, to more involved.

February is American Heart Month! It is an excellent time to take charge of your health. Regular visits to your doctor to check your blood pressure and cholesterol are simple ways to know your risk factors for heart disease. In fact, 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases may be preventable through education and action.

Effective fundraising focuses on the audience because audience relevant campaigns will count the most with those ready to support your cause. The next step is eliminating the obstacles to donation rather than reinforcing them with your tone and message. There are many ways you can reduce the uncomfortable aspects of fundraising for you and your staff as well as potential donors.

Don’t be afraid of innovative events that give real value to your potential donors.

The Benefits of Volunteering: Senior Volunteers Enjoy a Better Quality of Life

Volunteering is altruistic– a gift we give to others. Research reveals it’s also something great we do for ourselves! The benefits of volunteering are varied and even more pronounced for senior volunteers.

Senior volunteers are already more motivated than many of their younger community members. Therefore, senior volunteer recruitment and senior quality of life is a perfect match.