Showing posts with label Food for Hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food for Hope. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Hunger and the Holidays

Although we haven’t yet celebrated Thanksgiving, we are already being surrounded by the sights and sounds of Christmas. Music, advertising, decorations, gift guides; even the Salvation Army has begun its preparation for Christmas. From Angel Tree registration to Bell Ringing schedules and much more, we are well in the midst of our favorite season.


But what about those for whom the holidays aren’t that special: The homeless man crossing the street in the bustle of holiday shoppers; the mother in the grocery store among shoppers buying holiday specialties, while she cannot afford a loaf of bread or a jug of milk?
It is heart breaking to hear stories of Daniel, a single father of a 10-year-old boy who has been struggling since he lost his executive level job. He tells us he has no money and no food and that his electricity will soon be turned off. He is worried his son will spend Christmas sitting in a cold, dark house.

For Daniel, and thousands of families in our community struggling through personal economic crisis, hunger is a dark shadow, always looming. And during this festive Christmas season, it is even harder. Will this be the Christmas where there is no tree, no special dinner, no presents?
But you CAN help. You CAN hold a CANNED food drive to help stock the pantry of The Salvation Army so we can provide a basket of food to Daniel and the thousands of families who will come through our doors to receive Angel Tree gifts. Whether it is at your business, your church, your child’s school or even at your family’s Thanksgiving gathering, anything helps.

Or, you CAN hold your own private drive!

Help us turn this.....                                         

 .... into THIS!





It’s easy! As you go about shopping for Thanksgiving, your Christmas season dinners and parties or just your typical grocery shopping, pick up something extra. We need canned, non-perishable goods and we while we won’t be picky, we especially need canned vegetables, beans, pumpkin, fruit, soup and peanut butter.

Then, bring those cans of food to the west entrance of The Salvation Army Joy Center, 924 S. Hudson, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, (not Nov. 28 or 29!) through Dec. 6, you’ll be putting a little more “merry” into someone’s Christmas.

-DJ





Monday, September 20, 2010

Food for Hope Winners Fill Up Their Tanks!

Who could be more deserving of a $1,000 QuikTrip gift card than a person who works three jobs, is married with three kids and drives a Dodge Durango that gets 10 miles to the gallon? That person is Allen Martin, and he picked up his QuikTrip gift card today at the 31st and Garnett Rib Crib where his receipt was entered in the Food for Hope drawing. 
During Food for Hope Week, Aug. 9-13, restaurants agreed to give 15 percent of the tabs of patrons who entered Food for Hope to raise money for meals for the homeless. All the money went to the meal program at the Center of Hope homeless shelter which serves an average of 1,000 meals a day.  Allen was joined by Rib Crib waitress Hannah Philbeck (both left) who won a $100 QT card. Hannah says she visits QuikTrip two to three times a day to buy a 32 ounce cup of sweetened iced tea. Congratulations to Allen and Hannah and many thanks to QuikTrip and Rib Crib for supporting Food for Hope.
 
Writer’s Note:
Am I a little eccentric for thinking of my favorite QuikTrip as “MY” QuikTrip? QT is so woven into our culture, I can’t imagine Tulsa without it. My favorite item is a decaf skinny latte. Allan’s favorite is a breakfast sandwich and Hannah has her tea. Where’s “YOUR” QuikTrip and what do you buy there? This inquiring mind wants to know! 

-Sallie

Friday, August 13, 2010

Food For Hope Week!

FRIDAY:   Back to Basics: Tex Mex & BBQ

Ricardo’s Mexican Restaurant
It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it.  So I nominated myself and four friends to eat at Ricardo’s, which is owned by Thomas Hunter, our Food for Hope honorary chair. Ricardo’s has the best chile rellenos in Tulsa, bar none.  Our server Amber was very sweet and patient with us. We can be a little demanding. The tab for our group of five came to $32.90 and 15 percent of that is $4.93 which would feed two guests one meal each at the Center of Hope.

Rib Crib

Inspired by the Williams’s Rib Crib adventure Thursday, 14 employees at Area Command ordered in from the Rib Crib at 16 th  and Harvard. The “Super Spuds” were four times the size of a normal potato, the barbecue was mouth watering and the healthy eaters in the office loved the salads. The total cost $98.50, 15 percent of that is $14.77, which would feed eight people one meal each at the Center of Hope.

El Chico
The Majors Williams ate lunch Friday at El Chico at 9825 E 21 st  St. where restaurant manager Bob Moneypenny made time to sit with them for a few minutes. “It was a great meal, “ Major Roy Williams said. Bob has been with El Chico for 20 years and with the 21 st . St. location for 15 years, a long time in the restaurant business. The Williams’ lunch came to $21. Fifteen percent of that is $3.15 which would feed one person one meal and a snack at the Center of Hope. Thanks to everyone who has participated in Food for Hope. It's been a great week!


Photo: Bob Moneypenny and Major Kathleen Williams at El Chico, Tracy Hamilton, Women’s Ministries administrative assistant,  enjoying a Rib Crib salad.



THURSDAY: Sand Springs Rib Crib: Ribs & More

Majors Roy and Kathleen Williams have really caught the Food for Hope eating-out bug. Wednesday evening, they ate at the Which Wich? at 6028 S. Memorial. Their two sandwiches and four chocolate chip cookies came to $17.80. Of that amount, Which Wich? will donate $2.67 to Food for Hope.  One meal for one person at the Center of Hope costs $1.80, so the $2.67 will feed one person a meal and have 87cents left over for a snack. In addition to the six daily seatings for meals the Center of Hope serves, it also provides brown bag lunches for guests to take to work, and food for special occasions such as monthly birthday parties for kids whose families are staying at the center. 

For Thursday lunch, the Majors Williams ate at Rib Crib in Sand Springs, where Sand Springs Advisory Board member Cody Worrell is general manager. “The best part of eating at Rib Crib is Cody, who is one of the most community-minded people in Sand Springs,“ Major Roy Williams said.  He said his baby-back ribs were excellent. The Williams’ tab came to $21.83, of which $3.21 will go to Food for Hope and feed one person a meal and a snack. 


WEDNESDAY: The Chalkboard : Healthy & Delicious

Salvation Army Advisory Board member Billie Barnett helped Major Roy Williams lighten up his lunch Wednesday by bringing in house salads from the Chalkboard. “All their salads are excellent,” Billie said. The house salad features a bed of mixed spring greens, dried Bing cherries, goat cheese and honey roasted pecans. Major Williams, Billie, and a guest ate for $36.90. The Chalkboard will donate $5.53, 15 percent of their tab, to Food for Hope. That will feed three people staying at the Center of Hope. Tracey Sudberry, owner of The Chalkboard, has signed up two other restaurants to participate in Food for Hope: The Green Onion and Garlic Rose. Thank you, Tracey, for your support!

TUESDAY: Evelyn’s Fried Chicken the Best!

For the the second day of Food for Hope Week, Majors Roy and Kathy Williams went to lunch at Evelyn’s Restaurant at 3014 N. 74th East Avenue, across from Mohawk Park. The couple both ordered the best-known entree from Evelyn’s – fried chicken. “It was the best fried chicken I’ve ever had in my life,” Major Roy Williams said. Mrs. Williams doesn’t make fried chicken. She ate the collard greens and candied yams for side dishes. “The greens were wonderful,” she said. The couple spent $16.32, of which Evelyn’s will donate $2.44, or 15 percent to Food for Hope. This will feed one person one meal at the Center of Hope.

Photo: Wanda Armstrong, manager of Evelyn’s Restaurant, poses with Major Roy Williams during the second day of Food for Hope Week.



 MONDAY: Chili's to Kick it Off

Major Roy Williams, Tulsa Area Commander, and Major Kathleen Williams, Women’s Ministries Coordinator, kicked off Food Hope Week Monday by enjoying a meal from Chili’s, a Food for Hope participating restaurant. They chose the 51st and Harvard location of Chili’s and enjoyed a cool Caribbean salad and hot barbecue sandwich. “My salad was perfect for a hot summer day,” Mrs. Williams said. Their pre-tax bill came to $32.39 and Chili’s will donate 15 percent, $4.85, to Food for Hope. That $4.85 will feed a family of three staying at the Center of Hope homeless shelter one meal each. See how easy it is to help the homeless? All you have to do is eat out! And you have until Saturday to participate in Food for Hope. Watch our blog for the next exciting Food for Hope testimonial!
Sallie

Photo: Carlos Ibarra, one of the managers for Chili's and Major  Kathleen Williams pose in front of the Chili's at 51st and Harvard. This is the second year Chili's has participated in the Salvation Army Food for Hope week. 



-Sallie

Thursday, August 12, 2010

FFH 2010 Participants

Remember- Check back daily for NEW restaurants!

 What is Food for Hope?  This annual community event connects local restaurants and Salvation Army supporters together to raise money for the Center of Hope - which serves more than 1,000 meals daily!

Entry forms available at all local QuikTrip stores!
Or download here.

How does it work? Supporters visit participating restaurants (with an entry form) from Aug. 9-13 and 15% of their meal cost is donated to The Salvation Army. Diners who present an entry form have a chance to win a $1000 gift card from QuikTrip and their restaurant servers can win a $100 gift card to QuikTrip!   It's a partnership where everybody wins!

Restaurants listed by location:
BIXBY

CHILI’S
11138 S Memorial Bixby, 74008
(918) 369-3901

RIB CRIB
12850 S Memorial
Bixby, 74008
(918) 369-4799

WHICH WICH?
10438 S 82nd E Ave
Bixby, 74008
(918) 369-9424

BROKEN ARROW

CHILI’S
1101 N 20th St
Broken Arrow, 74012
(918) 355-9456

EL CHICO
732 W New Orleans
Broken Arrow, 74011
(918) 451-0633

RIB CRIB
121 W Kenosha
Broken Arrow,  74012
(918) 258-1559

Lunch for a Cause

I love good food. Let me start by saying that. Generally, I try to eat my meals at home. HOWEVER, during Food for Hope Week, I break all the rules. I throw caution to the wind and enjoy letting someone else cook my food.  I feel good knowing that I am helping ensure the neediest people in Tulsa get hot meal when they need it most.

Today, I enjoyed lunch at The Chalkboard, this well-known Tulsa restaurant that has been around for nearly 40 years.  Bonus, it is only 3 blocks from work! I drive by it every single day and I had never eaten there before. My coworker, Rhonda S. and I were thrilled upon realizing we had a Food for Hope restaurant right up the street. The Chalkboard is Rhonda's favorite, so she was happy to introduce me to the great atmosphere and European Continental food style.


My review... The food? DELICIOUS! Rhonda had the Chalkboard Muffolata and I had the Chalkboard Burger. The service? OUTSTANDING! I heard our server, Casey B., tell 3 other tables about Food for Hope Week, encouraging them to enter the drawing to win a $1,000 gift card to QuikTrip.  

So here's the breakdown: Rhonda's pre-tax total was $12.95 and mine was $14.54, The Chalkboard will donate $4.12 or 15 percent of the totals to The Salvation Army. This will pay for two meals for those in need. Pretty neat huh?



~Lindsay

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Something New Brewing at QuikTrip

I just got back to the office from the QuikTrip at 15th and Denver and scarfed down a large, decaffeinated, whole-milk iced latte with whipped cream on top. (sigh…) I already want another one. Is it crazy to be such a big fan of a convenience store? My friends and I have named the new QTs with the coffee and tea bars the Taj Mahal QuikTrips. One friend and her son who is home from college make a nightly pilgrimage to my Taj Mahal QuikTrip to try out different types of teas. Does everyone have a QuikTrip they call their own? Or am I just weird that way? My QuikTrip used to be the one on 61st & Lewis, but now that the Taj Mahal QuikTrip is open, I’ve switched.  Amazingly, the 61st and Lewis QT still seems to be thriving. :)

When my family visits from West Virginia, I take them to a QuikTrip because they just don’t have anything like it at home. My favorite Taj Mahal QuikTrip clerk says “See you later alligator” when I leave, and he likes to make rhymes while he rings me up. Oh, there was a work-related reason I visited QuikTrip today. The Food for Hope entry forms have arrived! Grab a few for next week to fill out and take to a participating restaurant. You may win a QuikTrip gift card worth $1000! Just think of all the iced lattes that will buy, not to mention gas!
-Sallie

PS- Photo from the Irritated Tulsan blog, I drank mine too fast to get a photo :(

Friday, July 23, 2010

Which Wich? Added to FFH 2010


Just in! The Which Wich? restaurants located at: 10438 South 82nd East Avenue, Bixby, OK 74008 and 6028 South Memorial Drive, Tulsa, OK  74133 have just signed on to participate in FFH 2010!

How do you participate? Stop by any area Quik Trip location and get a FFH entry form.  Take it to any participating restaurant from August 9-13 and 15% of your total will be donated to The Salvation Army in Tulsa to feed those in need.  PLUS! You could win a $1000 QT gift card!

Happy eating!
~Lindsay

Thursday, July 15, 2010

BBQ & Tex Mex = Food for Hope

Ready for some mouth-watering news? How about some BBQ and Tex-Mex? ( My two favorite major food groups.)  Ricardos Mexican Restaurant, Rib Crib, El Chico Cafes and Chili’s have signed on to participate in the Salvation Army Food for Hope campaign, Mon., Aug. 9 – Fri., Aug. 13. Food for Hope is a “dine out to help out” program to raise money for the meal program at TSA’s Center of Hope homeless shelter and social services center. As the recession lingers, the need for hot meals at the shelter has risen 32 percent since 2008. The Center of Hope serves an average of 1,000 meals a day. During Food for Hope Week, 15 percent of the cost of your meal will be donated to Food for Hope. Here’s how it works: Go to any QuikTrip and pick up a Food for Hope entry form. Check salarmytulsa.blogspot.com for a list of participating restaurants. Pick a restaurant, fill out the form and give it to your wait person. Fifteen percent of your pre-tax tab will be donated to Food for Hope and your name will be entered in a drawing for a $1,000 QuikTrip gift card.  Your wait person will be entered in a drawing for a $100 QuikTrip gift card. It’s a win-win for everyone!
-Sallie

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Food for Hope Week


The dates have been set, Food for Hope Week will be August 9-13, 2010.

What is Food for Hope?  This annual community event connects local restaurants and Salvation Army supporters together to raise money for the Center of Hope - which serves more than 1,000 meals daily!

How does it work? Supporters visit participating restaurants from Aug. 9-13 and 15% of their meal cost is donated by the restaurant to The Salvation Army.  It's a partnership where everybody wins!

Right now we are working on our list of participating restaurants.  If you or someone you know owns or manages a Tulsa area eating establishment, call or email us and we will contact them to partner with us for this exciting week!

We are also looking for businesses, groups and individuals who have catering needs during that week.  If you or your group are planning a large meal, make sure you check our participating restaurants list before you order!

More details will be posted soon, if you would like to help in any way email michael_dishman@uss.salvationarmy.org or call 918-587-7801 and ask for Michael.



~Lindsay