Successful Food Bank Helping Thousands (Feb. 4, 2011)

Sal Gambino, Carmel Rotary President, Carmel Rotarian George Knoechel, Food Bank Project Coordinator, and Judy Callahan, Executive Director of Putnam Community Action Program, one of four Food Bank programs supported by the Carmel Rotary project, discuss how Carmel Rotary has in a few years raised about $100,000 worth of food to benefit those in need. Another $50,000 worth of food is expected in 2011. This successful humanitarian Rotary project, which has helped thousands of families, began when the club partnered with the local ShopRite. From there, the club developed publicity for the Food Banks, collection methods, and distribution teams. They helped conduct research into the four Food Banks that the project serves. The details involved in making this Food Bank project a success, from start to finish, can be duplicated anywhere but — we won’t kid you — with much effort. It’s worth it!