Volunteer Site Spotlight-Buffalo County Food Pantry Jan/Feb 2016

Every third Thursday of the month you will find the Buffalo County Food Pantry Coordinators and RSVP Volunteers,

Wayne and LuAnn Babros, and an average of thirteen addi-tional RSVP volunteers, hard at work for their monthly food

distribution. The Buffalo County Food Pantry is located at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Alma and is one of many

RSVP partnering sites. It is also the only food pantry in Buf-falo County that receives assistance from Western Dairy-land’s TEFAP (Temporary Emergency Food Assistance

Program). Each month RSVP volunteers give their time to ensure that each person attending the food pantry receives

the items that they need. Cindy Denk, a volunteer with the RSVP program for over ten years, concentrates on collect-

ing, organizing, and distributing clothing and other house-hold necessities before the pantry begins at 1 pm. Cindy is also one of the many RSVP volunteers that assist food

pantry participants with selecting the food items that best fits their household needs.

The volunteers have a well-organized pantry allowing them to assist the participants in the best way possible. Wayne

stated, “This would not be possible without the volunteers; it’s all about them. They set it up and do all of the work.”

Wayne and LuAnn have many responsibilities. One of these responsibilities include ordering food and plan-

ning what food will be available at each distribution. For the November distribution, Wayne wanted them to have all they would need for a typical Thanksgiving feast. Many of the participants were very pleased

with the food they received. The items included a turkey, cranberry sauce, butterscotch and chocolate chip morsels, frozen carrots, cherries, and gravy; this in addition to the items they typically receive.

RSVP Volunteer Dennis Youngbauer has been volunteering at the Buffalo County Food Pantry for over five years. His best reward from being a volunteer are the ‘thank you’s he receives, and how grateful the partici-pants are about getting the food they need. He also states that a large part of the process is getting adequate

food and having a good variety. He credits Wayne for taking charge of the inventory and coordinating that part of the process. He states the Buffalo County Food Pantry has a good group of volunteers. They have a

great time while serving a need in their community. When asked if there is anything he would like to add about his experience, he stated that he knows there are other people out there needing assistance and wishes

they could reach all of them. He added that each volunteer enjoys what they do at the pantry, which makes a difference.

The Buffalo County Food Pantry is 100% volunteer operated and has served 246 individuals multiple times

in 2015. RSVP Program Director, Cheryl Padula, stated, “Volunteers are so important to the overall opera-tions at the food pantry. Without them, the food pantry would not exist.”

Please contact the RSVP office at 715-985-2391 ext 1205 if you are interested in a volunteer opportunity at the Buffalo County Food Pantry or any of our other partnering sites.

RSVP volunteer Dennis Youngbauer

F O R Y O U R I N F O R M A T I O N

RSVP Contact Information Western Dairyland EOC Inc. is a private, non-profit community action agency established in

1966 for the purpose of alleviating poverty-related conditions and assisting low-income families to achieve their economic self-reliance. We welcome

your comments & suggestions about the Western Dairyland RSVP program.

Address:

Western Dairyland EOC Inc.

RSVP Program

23122 Whitehall Road

Independence, WI 54747

Phone:

715-985-2391 ext. 1205

Office hours:

Monday - Friday from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Website:

www.westerndairyland.org

Email Address:

Have You Moved? We want to hear from you!

The RSVP Program has had the pleasure of working with many wonderful volunteers and watching the

impact each person has made in their own community through volunteerism.

We ask that you please help the RSVP office stay updated. Are you still volunteering? Have you changed

your volunteer location? Perhaps you are not feeling well or maybe you have been physically unable to

volunteer due to an illness or surgery? We also know summers are busy and you may be enjoying more time

with your family which may result in being too busy to volunteer at this time.

Whatever the reason, we would really like to hear from you. To insure that you receive RSVP volunteer

recognition and to assist you with future RSVP volunteer opportunities, we ask that you be sure to

record all volunteer hours at your volunteer work site.

Feel free to contact us at anytime; we welcome your input, concerns and volunteer stories.

Call us at 1-800-782-1063 ext. 1205 or 1232.

We look forward to hearing from you!

2 |

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than

the grandest intention.” – Oscar Wilde

Bert Plucker Louise Reed

Holly Anderson Gordon Odeen

Sandra Rehse Mary Ann Przybylla

Betty Ofsdahl Sally Lee

Karen Shaw Terry Lee

Jeanette Erickson

RSVP VOLUNTEER FOCUS AREAS | 3

Where do you fit in?

Veterans/Military

Trempealeau County Veterans Transportation Education

K-12 School Volunteers

Economic Opportunity

Tax Assistance

Adult Education

Food Distribution

Volunteer Transportation

Home Delivered Meals

Weekend Food 4 Kids

Caregiving Services

Environmental Stewardship

Thrift Store Volunteers

Other Community Priorities

Nursing Homes

Sewing/Quilting Groups

Birthday Box

Museums

Congregate Meals (without home-delivered meals)

Disaster Services

Red Cross Healthy Futures

(Primary Focus Area)

The RSVP Volunteers of Jackson County were honored at the 2015 RSVP Recognition Event on

September 16. The event was held at the Skyline Golf Course in Black River Falls and more than 40 volunteers gathered for the wonderful event, visiting and sharing laughs while enjoying a fantastic meal and raffle drawing.

J A C K S O N C O U N T Y R S V P V O L U N T E E R

R E C O G N I T I O N E V E N T

4 |

Thank you to the following area businesses & organizations for making this event possible: Al Muth Harley Davidson, AmericInn Lodge & Suites, Badger Mining, Banner Journal/Shopper, Black River Surplus,

Cain’s Orchard, Castle Hill Supper Club, Corporation for National & Community Service, Falls Florist, 4 Seasons Quick Stop, Hair 4 All Seasons, Ho-Chunk Casino, Holiday Station Stores, Mocha Mouse, Moe

Hardware, Perkins, Taylor Lutheran Church, Walmart, and Western Dairyland RSVP.

For ad info. call Denise Canterbury at 1-800-950-9952 • www.4lpi.com Western Dairyland, Independence, WI A 4C 02-1030

B U F F A L O C O U N T Y R S V P V O L U N T E E R

R E C O G N I T I O N E V E N T

| 5

The RSVP Volunteers of Buffalo County were honored at the 2015 Recognition Event on October 17

at the Waumandee House in Waumandee. More than 100 volunteers gathered for the fun-filled event

including a delicious meal and raffle drawing.

We would like to offer a special thank you to the following local businesses & organizations for making this event possible: Buffalo County Department of Aging, Corporation for National & Community Service,

Green Bay Packer Foundation, Scheels, and Western Dairyland RSVP.

SENIORS/PERSONS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITYONE & TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS

Includes: • Refrigerator • Stove • Spacious community room • Laundry room • Off street parking • Indoor mail delivery & Security entrance system

UTILITIES INCLUDED | Rent is 30% of Your adjusted income | Service Coordinator available at no cost

For More Information Call 888-393-3282

PARKVIEW APARTMENTS35777 Chestnut Ave., Independence, WI

Serving Jackson

& Surrounding CountiesLocally Owned & Operated

715-963-ASAP (2727)

For ad info. call Denise Canterbury at 1-800-950-9952 • www.4lpi.com Western Dairyland, Independence, WI B 4C 02-1030

VOLUNTEERISM-A POSITIVE IMPACT:

Benefits of volunteering #1: Volunteering Connects you to others

One of the better-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the

community. Unpaid volunteers are often the glue that holds a com-munity together. Volunteering allows you to connect to your commu-nity & make it a better place. Even helping out with the smallest tasks

can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals, & organi-zations in need.

Volunteering helps you make new friends & contacts. One of the

best ways to make new friends & strengthen existing relationships is

to commit to a shared activity together. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to an area. Volunteer-

ing also strengthens your ties to the community & broadens your support network, exposing you to people

with common interests, neighborhood resources, & fun, fulfilling activities.

Volunteering increases your social and relationship skills. While some people are naturally outgoing,

others are shy and have a hard time meeting new people. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice & develop your social skills, since you are meeting regularly with a group of people with com-mon interests. Once you have momentum, it’s easier to branch out and make more friends & contacts.

Benefits of volunteering #2: Volunteering is good for your mind & body Volunteering provides many

benefits to both mental and physical health.

Volunteering increases self-confidence. Volunteering can provide a healthy boost to your self-

confidence, self-esteem, & life satisfaction. You are doing good for others & the community, which pro-

vides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride & identity. The better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life.

Volunteering provides a sense of purpose. Older adults, especially those who have retired or lost a

spouse, can find new meaning & purpose in their lives by helping others. Whatever your age or life situ-ation, volunteering can help take your mind off your own worries, keep you mentally stimulated, & add

more zest to your life. Volunteering combats depression. A key risk factor for depression is social isolation. Volunteering

keeps you in regular contact with others & helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn pro-

tects you against stress & depression when you’re going through challenging times. Working with pets & other animals has also been shown to improve mood & reduce stress and anxiety.

Volunteering helps you stay physically healthy. The physical activity involved in certain forms of

volunteering—such as environmental projects in parks, nature reserves, or beaches—can be good for

your health at any age, but it’s especially beneficial in older adults. Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not, even when considering factors such as par-ticipants health. Volunteering has also been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease.

6 |

Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits

& COLLISION CENTER

Call Us 715-538-2444

www.schneiderautomotive.net

Lenmark-Gomsrud-LinnFUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES

www.lenmarkfh.com

Providing on-site Cremation

1405 N. Clairemont Ave. Eau Claire, WI 54703 715-834-4456

814 First Ave. Eau Claire, WI 54703

715-832-8301

For ad info. call Denise Canterbury at 1-800-950-9952 • www.4lpi.com Western Dairyland, Independence, WI C 4C 02-1030

Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care

www.thehomeplaceof.com715-429-1007

Helping Others While Helping Yourself | 7

Benefits of volunteering #3: Volunteering can advance your career If you’re considering a new career,

volunteering can help you get experience in your area of interest & meet people in the field. Even if you’re

not planning on changing careers, volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management, &

organization.

Volunteering can provide career experience. Volunteering offers you the chance to try out a new career

without making a long-term commitment. It is also a great way to gain experience in

a new field. In some fields, you can volunteer directly at an organization that does the kind of work you’re interested in. For example, if you’re interested in nursing,

you could volunteer at a hospital or a nursing home.

Volunteering can teach you valuable job skills. Just because volunteer work is

unpaid does not mean the skills you learn are basic. Many volunteering opportunities provide extensive training. For example, you could become an experienced crisis counselor while volunteering for a women’s shelter or a knowledgeable art historian while donating your

time as a museum docent.

Benefits of volunteering #4: Volunteering brings fun & fulfillment to your life Volunteering is a fun &

easy way to explore your interests & passions. Doing volunteer work you find meaningful & interesting can be a relaxing, energizing escape from your day-to-day routine of work, school, or family commitments.

Volunteering also provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, & vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life.

Many people volunteer in order to make time for hobbies outside of work as well. For instance, if you have a desk job and long to spend time outdoors, you might consider volunteering to help plant a community

garden, walk dogs for an animal shelter, or help out at a children's camp .

Consider your goals and interests when volunteering. You will have a richer, more enjoyable volun-

teering experience if you first take some time to identify your goals & interests. Start by thinking about why you want to volunteer. Also think about what you would enjoy doing.

How much time should you volunteer? Volunteering doesn’t have to take over your

life to be beneficial. In fact, research shows that just two to three hours per week, or about

100 hours a year, can confer the most benefits—to both you & your chosen cause. The important thing is to volunteer only the amount of time that feels comfortable to you. Vol-unteering should feel like a fun & rewarding hobby, not another chore on your to-do list.

I have limited mobility, can I still volunteer? People with disabilities or chronic

health conditions can still benefit greatly from volunteering. In fact, research has shown that adults with

disabilities or health conditions ranging from hearing and vision loss to heart disease, diabetes or diges-tive disorders all show improvement after volunteering.

See more at: http://goo.gl/XpNPYw

Maintenance-Free Homeownership 62+

1374 Van Buren Street

Black River Falls, WI

715-284-8400

For ad info. call Denise Canterbury at 1-800-950-9952 • www.4lpi.com Western Dairyland, Independence, WI D 4C 02-1030

Contact Denise Canterbury to place an ad today! DCanterbury@4LPi.com or (800) 950-9952 x2440

HEALTHY FUTURES: FOOD DISTRIBUTION 8 |

RSVP Volunteer Weekend Food 4 Kids Project

Every Thursday morning you will find RSVP staff mem-bers and a great group of RSVP volunteers preparing to

package bags of supplemental weekend food.

This project provides children with nutritious weekend

food for pre-K and school-age children. This RSVP pro-gram serves children in the Independence school district including both public and parochial. It also distributes

food to Head Start families from the Independence Head Start center serving children from Independence, White-

hall, Arcadia, and Pigeon Falls. In order for a child/family to receive the food, they simply have to fill out an

enrollment form. The bags of food are sent home on Thursdays and can include enough food for each child in the household. Contents of the bags vary each week but

can include: easy to prepare meals, either one canned fruit or vegetable, soup, bread, cereal, peanut butter and

jelly, crackers, granola bars and other miscellaneous items.

In October of 2015, when the project resumed for the 2015/16 school year, a record number of applications were received. As of December 2015, the RSVP Week-

end Food 4 Kids project has served a grand total of 78 families, with 161 children receiving weekly food bags.

Without the hard work and dedication from our RSVP volunteers, this would not be possible.

If you know of a child/family who would benefit from Weekend Food 4 Kids assistance, please encourage their parent or guardian to enroll. Enrollment forms are available at the Independence school district office, Independence Head Start Center and the Western Dairy-

land RSVP office. To learn more about how RSVP volunteers are helping in your community, please visit our website at:: www.westerndairyland.org/rsvp.phtml

Volunteers are always needed for this project. If you have a couple of hours of free time to volunteer on a Thursday morning, we would love to hear from you! We also need volunteers to help unload the truck on

Thursday afternoons once or twice a month. Unable to volunteer at this time but want to help? The program would also benefit from monetary donations. The average cost per bag of food is $2.50.

If you have any questions about this or any other RSVP volunteer opportunity, please contact RSVP at

715-985-2391 Ext 1205 or e-mail cheryl.padula@wdeoc.org.

RSVP volunteers Jan Hagen & Sharon Haugen

Affordable Alternative to Larger Tax Services

ACTION TAX

SERVICE1122 Birch St., Eau Claire

715-832-1534 New Client Discount $10

For ad info. call Denise Canterbury at 1-800-950-9952 • www.4lpi.com Western Dairyland, Independence, WI E 4C 02-1030

Contact Denise Canterbury to place an ad today! DCanterbury@4LPi.com or (800) 950-9952 x2440

RSVP VOLUNTEER SATISFACTION SURVEY RESULTS | 9

A total of 246 volunteers from Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo, & Eau Claire counties responded

to our RSVP Volunteer Satisfaction Survey in 2015.

99% are satisfied with their overall RSVP experiences.

97% of RSVP volunteers are satisfied with the recognition they receive as a volunteer.

89% of RSVP volunteers are satisfied with the positive impact they make as a volunteer.

Adult Day Program Church Street Community Club

Our Adult Day Program provides services, to older adults in our region, seeking a caring community

setting for during the day care.Services Provided Include: • Nutritious meals and snacks • Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy* • Music from the community • Crafts and games • Worship • Exercise • Special Events • Transportation* • Beautician* * additional fee

www.tchcc | 715-983-2293 ext 4024 | Pigeon Falls, WI

Medicare premiums too high?

We offer the most competitive

medicare supplements in the state.

Call for a free quote with no obligations.

We also offer critical care

and cancer coverage.

Your independent agent for 22 years

Catherine Gunnarson715-495-1262

For ad info. call Denise Canterbury at 1-800-950-9952 • www.4lpi.com Western Dairyland, Independence, WI F 4C 02-1030

RSVP VOLUNTEER PROGRAM CROSSWORD CLUES: 10 |

Across

4. a non-profit thrift store in Trempealeau county that

offers a rotating stock of clothing, along with shoes, housewares, books, toys, jewelry & accessories.

6. a private, non-profit community action agency

established June 1966, under the Economic Opportuni-

ty Act to help disadvantaged individuals in Buffalo, Eau Claire, Jackson, and Trempealeau counties.

7. an ability to understand the worth, quality, or

importance of something

8. brightly wrapped boxes filled with cake mix, frosting,

candles, colorful plates and napkins, & a few small toys

9. helps meet the needs & challenges of America's

communities through grants and other resources

11. a group of people who live in the same area

14. to give (something, such as money, goods, or time)

to help a person, group, cause, or organization

16. a RSVP project devoted to providing pre-K and

school-age children in Independence with nutritious

weekend food assistance

Down

1. to talk & do things with other people in a

friendly way

2. a RSVP project that provides rides for veterans

to their medical appointments at the Tomah VA

3. a service that provides food for people in need

5. of service or assistance

10. giving pleasure or satisfaction

12. involved in the activities of a group or

organization; participating in an action or activity

13. a person who gives freely of their time and

talents

15. connects individuals age 55 & older with

meaningful volunteer opportunities

Mental decline as you age appears to be largely due to altered connections among brain cells. But research has found that keeping the brain active seems to increase its vitality and may build its reserves of brain cells

and connections. You could even generate new brain cells.

Keep your brain active everyday:

Garden

Play games Try memory exercises Attend lectures and plays

Read, write, work crossword or other puzzles Stay curious and involved-commit to lifelong learning

Enroll in courses at your local adult education center, community college or other community groups

See more at: http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_stay_mentally_active.asp

Answers: Across: 4) Cents & Sensibility, 6) Western Dairyland, 7) Appreciation, 8) Birthday Box, 9) Senior

Corps, 11) Community, 14) Contribute, 16) Food4Kids Down: 1) Socialize, 2) Veterans Transportation,

3) Food Pantry, 5) Helpful, 10) Gratifying, 12) Active, 13) Volunteer, 15) RSVP

For ad info. call Denise Canterbury at 1-800-950-9952 • www.4lpi.com Western Dairyland, Independence, WI G 4C 02-1030

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE RSVP VOLUNTEER PROGRAM | 11

Complete the Crossword. Some of the answers contain two or more words with no spacing between.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

RSVP Volunteer Office 23122 Whitehall Road PO Box 125

Independence, WI 54747

NON PROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

EAU CLAIRE WI PERMIT NO. 2000

Western Dairyland’s RSVP program serves Buffalo,

Eau Claire, Jackson and Trempealeau counties. Major

funding is provided by the Corporation for National &

Community Service.

WE LISTEN, WE ACT, WE CARE