What's Happening Now at Outreach 
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Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Distribution at Outreach June 23! 
Back by popular demand, Outreach will be partnering with MANNA Food Bank through their Express and Nudge programs to bring another fresh fruit and vegetable distribution to Polk County residents. The distribution will be June 23 from 1-3PM and all Polk County residents are welcome.
The vegetables we'll receive will be determined the week of the distribution, depending on what MANNA has in large supply.  
In addition to distributing fresh vegetables to all who stop by, MANNA Nudge staff will be onsite conducting cooking demos and taste tests and handing out recipes to give attendees new ideas about how to prepare these foods.
We need volunteers to help staff this event, if you're interested, please contact Outreach Volunteer Coordinator, Barb Powell at barb.powell@tboutreach.org or 828-894-2988.
The fresh vegetable distribution is free and open to the public - please join us Friday, June 23 from
1-3PM!
Empty Bowls 2017
Mark your calendars for the Community Bowl Making Event July 22, 9AM - 12PM at TACS
Save the date for 2017 Empty Bowls - September 30
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Garden of Hope - Calendar of Events
March 30: Garden of Hope Kick-off and Seed Distribution (Outreach)
April 27, 5PM: Soap Making Class (Outreach)
May 16, 5PM: Breakfast Casseroles for Ag Breakfast (4H Kitchen)
June 22, 5PM: Mason Jar Salad Class at Outreach
July 14, 12PM: Crockpot Cooking Class and Ice Cream Social (Outreach)
July 27, 5PM: Candle Making Class (Outreach)
August 11, 5:30PM: Harvest Dinner - bring a covered dish to share (Harmon Field Cabin)
Scenes From the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
Outreach celebrated our volunteers with a Cinco de Mayo party on May 5th with delicious Mexican food, festive decorations, a photo booth and fun games. Congratulations to Winnie Volpe for being named to the Second Wind Hall of Fame and to the following dedicated volunteers who served the most time at Outreach during 2016:
Administration: Carol Browning
Client Intake: Cherie Wright
Data: Grey Axtell
Food Pantry / Facility: Jim Wright
Did you know..... Outreach now has a texting service to communicate with our clients? This service will be used to send out important Outreach news and updates on programs and special events. It's simple to register, text 21000 and type Outreach in the message and send!
Volunteering is FUN - come join the team at Outreach!
Volunteering at Outreach is both fun and rewarding and we're looking for Volunteers to fill important jobs:
  • Pantry volunteers​ assist clients and help them shop and stock pantry shelves with food and non-perishables.  Shift times especially needed are: Mondays, 9am - 12:30pm; 12:30 - 4:00pm; Tuesdays, 12:30 - 4:00pm; Wednesdays, 9am - 12:30pm; Thursdays, 12:30 - 4:00pm.
  • Intake volunteers interview (potential) clients at Outreach. Shift times especially needed are: Mondays, 8:45am - 12:30pm & Wednesdays, 8:45am - 12:30pm.
  • Fill-in volunteers are needed to assist, on short notice, with various jobs in the pantry, such as stocking shelves, feed-a-kid, and shopping assistance. 
  • Volunteers​ are needed to chop wood at the monthly, 2nd Saturday firewood splitting.  This is a great opportunity for churches and youth groups to get involved at Outreach.
For more information, please complete & submit the Volunteer Sign-up Form or contact Volunteer Coordinator, Barb Powell - barb.powell@tboutreach.org or 828-894-2988.
Upcoming Events
  • June 22, 5PM: Mason Jar Salad Class
  • ​June 23, 1-3PM: Fresh Vegetable Distribution
  • July 14, 12PM: Crockpot Cooking Class and Ice Cream Social
  • July 22, 9AM - 12PM: Community Bowl Making Session
  • July 27, 5PM: Candle Making Class
  • August 11, 5:30PM: Harvest Dinner
  • September 30, 4PM: Empty Bowls
Monthly Wish List
  • Food Focus: cooking oil, flour, corn meal, rice and beans
  • Non-Food Focus: fans, toilet paper, paper towels
Newsletter

​Annual Report
​Check out our video about how Thermal Belt Outreach has changed the lives of many and touched the hearts of our community. ​
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​​Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry
134 White Drive
P.O. Box 834
Columbus, NC 28722
828.894.2988