FLCC News, Events, and Community Involvement

February, 2009 - Article published February 04, 2009 - Toledo Blade


LUCAS COUNTY CONFERENCE
Little-known nonprofit turns major food group
 

Tony Siebeneck, founder and executive director of Feed Lucas County Children Inc., proclaims an endless supply of food.
( THE BLADE/LORI KING )
 

By TOM HENRY
BLADE STAFF WRITER


In today's troubled times, it's unusual to hear anyone use the word "endless" to describe a supply of something - especially food.

"We have an endless supply of food," proclaimed Tony Siebeneck, founder and executive director of Feed Lucas County Children Inc., a little-known nonprofit he founded eight years ago.

Endless or not, the food supply is something his group has become more determined to spread around.

Lucas County, according to 2006 Census figures Mr. Siebeneck cited, has at least 24,000 youths ages 18 and under who are at the poverty line or below.

Fewer than 30 percent of them - about 7,000 - are served by Feed Lucas County Children. The group, funded by private contributions and government grants, now has a $700,000 annual budget, of which $450,000 is spent to feed kids during the summer.

Willi Meyer, St. Vincent DePaul Society business manager, agreed there are "endless opportunities."
( THE BLADE/LORI KING )
 

 

The meals and snacks are provided at no charge at various after-school programs and summer activities that other groups sponsor.

"It's quite a sin to see this stuff available and kids not getting it," Mr. Siebeneck told about 80 people last night at a meeting downtown. "We need your help."

 

 

He made his remarks at an event described as a "Food Summit." Mike Weaner, chairman of Feed Lucas County Children's board of directors, said it was the group's first.

The goal was to bring representatives from dozens of area church groups, school districts, community centers, and service organizations under one roof to hash out a strategy for feeding more kids.

Willi Meyer, St. Vincent DePaul Society business manager, agreed there are "endless opportunities."

"Children are not getting food. Families are going to bed hungry. It can't continue," he said. "It's important we look for ways to curb and arrest and eliminate the issue of hunger."

One way to help more families could be through greater recognition of the Angel Food Ministries program, in which boxes of frozen food are sold through local churches for about a third of their retail prices, Mr. Meyer said.

Feed Lucas County Children now works with about 70 service providers. It served 142,000 meals last year.

Food is not wasted. It is purchased when needed, Mr. Siebeneck said.

"There is no catch. We're here to feed children," Mr. Siebeneck said.

In an interview before the summit, he told The Blade his group is eager to do more without spending money on a marketing campaign. It wants to devote as many funds as it can to food.

Diana Ortega, case manager and mentor at the Aurora Gonzales Community & Family Center, gave the group a ringing endorsement.

"They do what they say they're doing. It's a phenomenal program," she told summit attendees.

Contact Tom Henry at:
thenry@theblade.com
or 419-724-6079.

August, 2008 - Read about FLCC on GlassCityJungle.com, here

June 16, 2008 - From 13 ABC TV - City pools opened Friday, and today city and county officials announced Toledo's partnership with "Feed Lucas County Children". Link here: http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=6209593

February, 2006 - University of Toledo "speed dating" event benefits FLCC, here

December, 2005 - Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Presented by Kroger donates record $500,000. Toledo Classic, Inc., a parent company of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Presented by Kroger, who recently announced that Owens Corning has extended their title sponsorship through 2009, donated a record $500,000 to nine Northwest Ohio children's charities from proceeds of the 2005 event. Local charities that received the donations included: Adopt America Network, Central City Ministries of Toledo, Family House, Feed Lucas County Children, Old Newboys Goodfellow Association, Sylvania Area Family Services, Ronald McDonald House Charities, American Red Cross (Toledo Chapter) and JFOCC Scholarship Fund. With this year's distribution, the tournament has contributed more than $4.8 million to 90 Northwest Ohio Children's Charities since it's inception in 1984. (From LGPA.com)

July, 2005 -- Toledo Dental Hygienists Association Golf Benefit Benefits FLCC

The Toledo Dental Hygienists' Association (TDHA) has raised $6,000.00 for Feed Lucas County Children (FLCC) during their Fourth Annual Benefit Golf Scramble at Eagle's Landing on May 18, 2005.

The Toledo Dental Hygienists' Association, many area dental offices, area businesses and the Owens Community College Dental Hygiene Students pledged donations and prizes for the event. A fabulous day of golf and fun was had by all.

TDHA was pleased to donate the money to Feed Lucas County Children to help meet the needs of 19,000 Lucas County undernourished children. FLCC provides balanced meals to the children who do not receive balanced meals during the summer months. It is estimated that 20% of Lucas County Children live at or below the poverty level. TDHA members as well as Owens Community College Students have provided dental education to these children as well.

Pictured are (from left to right) Golf Committee Chairpersons: Sharon Roman, Beth Tronolone, Tony Siebenek (FLCC Executive Director), Paula Johnson, and Anne Tincher.

The TDHA website is accessible from the Ohio Dental Hygienists' Association website: www.odha.org

 

Feb 1, 2005 - FLCC partners with local dentists for "Give Kids a Smile" Day

What is Give Kids A Smile?   Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) is an annual one-day volunteer initiative to provide free educational, preventive and restorative dental services to children of low-income families.  This event is part of the national Give Kids A Smile National Children’s Access Day founded by the American Dental Association.

When and where is GKAS?   Friday, February 4, 2005, at the Dental Center of Northwest Ohio.  An additional date in March may be added due to high demand.

Why does the Toledo Dental Society hold an event like GKAS?     GKAS is held annually to provide free dental services to local, qualifying children from low-income families and raise awareness of the epidemic of untreated dental disease occurring here in Toledo and across the country.  GKAS provides an effective platform from which dental societies can advocate common sense, market based solutions to local access problems, while providing the community with free oral health care.

Who will be involved?

·        An estimated 500 children from low-income families
·        Fifty local volunteer dentists
·        Fifteen local volunteer dental hygienists
·        Over thirty volunteer support staff and dental assistant staff from the Dental Center of Northwest Ohio
·        Owens Community College Student Hygiene Program
·        Feed Lucas County Children, Inc.

What types of services will be offered?

Dental cleanings and oral examinations
Oral hygiene instructions and diet counseling
 Dental radiographs or x-rays
  Fillings or restorations
  Extractions
  Emergency services
  Almost all basic dental services

Will there be any fees for the patients and their families?    No; no fees will be collected, no insurance (Medicaid) will be filed.  Last year the Dental Center of Northwest Ohio served 164 children and donated over $25,000 worth of dental services.  Our goal for 2005 is 500 children and $40,000-$50,000 worth of donated dental services.  Volunteer health professionals and support staff will provide all services; all necessary dental materials are provided through corporate and private donations.

How can my child participate in GKAS?  Please call the Dental Center of Northwest Ohio, 2138 Madison Avenue, Toledo, OH; phone #419/ 241-6215.  Ask for information on GKAS and you will be referred to a patient coordinator.

 

Article published Tuesday, May 25, 2004 -- Toledo Blade www.toledoblade.com

Agencies brainstorm on feeding poor youths

As Toledo and other public school districts prepare to close their cafeterias for the summer, organizations like Feed Lucas County Children are preparing to take up the slack those institutions provide in feeding poor children.

Representatives of the Children's Hunger Alliance, a state nonprofit organization aimed at tackling the problem of hungry children in the summer months, and Feed Lucas County Children as well as the county's own program to feed children met yesterday at Englewood Peace Academy to talk about their commitment to indigent students.

Representatives of three organizations that help feed hungry children during the summer - the Children's Hunger Alliance, a state nonprofit organization, Feed Lucas County Children, and the county's own program - met yesterday at Englewood Peace Academy to talk about their commitment to indigent students.

"I think the biggest surprise to me is that 98 percent of the people in Lucas County are not aware of the need," said Tony Siebeneck, founder and executive director of Feed Lucas County Children, after a news conference. "I don't think they know how many children go hungry during the summer months because school's not in session."

Mr. Siebeneck said the growth of his nonprofit organization since it served its first summer meal in 2002 is proof of the need to provide children with healthy summer meals. He said Feed Lucas County Children began serving meals at the Englewood Peace Academy at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 1119 West Bancroft St.

By the end of that summer, the site was so popular that the organization opened a second site at Solid Rock Ministries, 1630 Broadway, and served a total of 7,600 meals. Michael Weaner, Feed Lucas County Children board president, said that number more than doubled last year to 18,000 meals.

In its third year, Feed Lucas County Children will operate 17 sites with a goal of serving 40,000 to 45,000 meals to poor children.

"Our goal is to serve 400,000 [meals] within the next three years," Mr. Siebeneck said.

Mr. Siebeneck said the state reimburses a small portion of what it costs for the meals, but said the bulk of its $130,000 budget this year is made up of private donations from individuals and businesses. He said if the organization has any hope of reaching its goal, it will have to develop more ways to raise money.

The Rev. Robert Lyons, Sr., pastor of Greater St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church, said he has seen what a positive difference organizations like Feed Lucas County Children has made in the neighborhood of his church, which is located at 416 Belmont Ave.

"I want to know if any of you have seen a crack baby," Mr. Lyons said during the news conference. "They start out crying, and they cry and cry. They can either continue along the path from which they came, or someone like us can give them a viable alternative."

Lucas County's Summer Food Program served children at 32 different sites last year and was reimbursed $200,000 by the state for the meals, said Janet Barnes, director of the county's program. She said the county will operate the sites again, beginning June 7.

September 5, 2003 - Feed Lucas County Children and Eagle Scout Candidate Help Local Families (Press Release)

Feed Lucas County Children, Inc. (FLCC) a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the summer nutrition needs of at-risk school age children in Lucas County, is pleased to announce that Patrick Hoehn of Sylvania, an Eagle Scout candidate, will be distributing reconditioned personal computer systems to several families who participated in this summer's food service program.  The computers were donated by a Maumee-based medial practice and refurbished as part of Hoehn's Eagle Scout project.  On Saturday, September 6 from 9:00am -12:30pm at the Englewood Peace Academy, Hoehn will be demonstrating the use of the computers in improving reading and other skills. 

 

“We’re grateful that Patrick took it on himself to do something like this; it will really help some of the families in the area,” said FLCC founder and Executive Director Tony Siebeneck.  “These are the kinds of extras that Feed Lucas County Children has tried to provide, in addition to our main mission, serving needy kids a nutritious lunch during the summer months."

 

FLCC was formed in 2001 to address the needs of the estimated 20% of children in Lucas County who do not receive balanced and nutritious meals during the summer months when school food service programs do not operate.  At its main site at the Englewood Peace Academy, FLCC offers a variety of reading, math, art and other enrichment activities.  This summer, FLCC provided over 18,000 meals at its main site and to four other church and community groups throughout Lucas County, more than doubling the size of the program compared to the summer of 2002, the first year of the program’s existence.

 

“We had a very successful year,” says Siebeneck, “ But, we are always in need of financial support, and we are already looking for volunteers, presenters and supplies for our enrichment programs for next year.”

 

Engelwood Peace Academy is located in the former St. Martin dePorres School at Bancroft Street and Detroit Avenue in Toledo, Ohio.  For more information, contact the above, Tony Siebeneck at 419-824-0082, or visit FLCC’s web site at www.feedlucaschildren.org. 

August 7, 2003 - Feed Lucas County Children Welcomes Wally "Famous" Amos for Visit (Press Release)

Feed Lucas County Children, Inc. (FLCC) a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the summer nutrition needs of at-risk school age children in Lucas County, is pleased to announce that Wally Amos, founder of Famous Amos Cookies, will be visiting the FLCC program at Englewood Peace Academy on Friday, August 8, 2003 from 1:00pm to 1:30pm.

 

“We’re grateful that someone like Wally Amos, whose company and personal efforts are focused on kids and education, would take the time to stop by and spend some time with us,” said FLCC founder and Executive Director Tony Siebeneck.  “Apparently, he was in town on other business and found out about us through Central City Ministries of Toledo (CCMT).”  Mr. Amos is expected to tour the program and spend some time speaking to the children participating in the FLCC program.

 

FLCC was formed in 2001 to address the needs of the estimated 20% of children in Lucas County who do not receive balanced and nutritious meals during the summer months when school food service programs do not operate.  At its main site at the Englewood Peace Academy, FLCC offers a variety of reading, math, art and other enrichment activities.  This summer, FLCC is providing meals to four other church and community groups throughout Lucas County, more than doubling the size of the program compared to the summer of 2002, the first year of the program’s existence.

 

“It’s been a successful year, so far,” says Siebeneck, “ But, we are always in need of financial support, as well as presenters and supplies for our enrichment programs.”

 

Engelwood Peace Academy is located in the former St. Martin dePorres School at Bancroft Street and Detroit Avenue in Toledo, Ohio.  For more information, contact the above, Tony Siebeneck at 419-824-0082, or visit FLCC’s web site at www.feedlucaschildren.org.

May, 2003 - Feed Lucas County Children Kicks Off Second Year with Open House and Organization Meeting for Expanded Program (Press Release)

Feed Lucas County Children, Inc. (FLCC) a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the summer nutrition needs of at-risk school age children in Lucas County, is holding an Open House and organization meeting on May 20, 2003 from 1:00 to 2:30pm in the cafeteria of Englewood Peace Academy (formerly St. Martin dePorres School at Bancroft Street and Detroit Avenue in Toledo). 

“The Open House gives us a chance to show what we accomplished last year and how much more we plan to do this year,” said FLCC founder and Executive Director Tony Siebeneck.  After serving over 7,600 meals at two sites last summer, FLCC plans to serve over 21,000 meals at five sites throughout Lucas County in 2003.    The organization meeting will include coordinators from the new program sites, providing a chance to plan and to determine needs for the upcoming year.  “We will need adult volunteers during the day this summer,” said Siebeneck. “In addition, we are always in need of financial support, as well as presenters and supplies for our enrichment programs.” 

Feed Lucas County Children was formed in 2001 to address the needs of the estimated 20% of children in Lucas County who do not receive balanced and nutritious meals during the summer months when subsidized school food service programs do not operate.   In addition, at its main site at the Englewood Peace Academy, FLCC offers a variety of reading, math, art and other enrichment activities.  This summer, FLCC will provide meals to four other church and community groups throughout Lucas County, tripling the size of the program compared to the summer of 2002, the first year that the food service and enrichment program was offered.  

The public is invited and encouraged to attend the FLCC Open House on May 20, 2003 from 1:00-2:30pm.  For more information, contact Tony Siebeneck at 419-824-0082, or visit FLCC’s web site at www.feedlucaschildren.org.  

April, 2003 - FLCC completes a book drive during "Right to Read" week at St. Joseph School in Sylvania.  The book collection adds to a library of several thousand books collected last year to create a reading enrichment program for FLCC's first program year.

April, 2003 - FLCC gratefully accepts a $4,000 gift from the Toledo Rotary Foundation, the funds to be used for the purchase of an additional convection oven.   This gift was critical to FLCC's ability to triple the number of meals to be served in Summer, 2003 compared to the number served in 2002.

February, 2003 - In partnership with the Toledo Dental Society, FLCC participates in the "Give Kids a Smile" program.  This program provides a full dental care program to school age, at-risk children served by the FLCC program

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