Murfreesboro Post
MURFREESBORO WEATHER

Nourish Food Bank prepares for 40th anniversary




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Are you looking for useful ways to volunteer? Do you want to invest in your community, but are unsure where your donations will do the most good? Would you like to know more about the services non-profit organizations in your community provide? Read on to discover how you can make a difference in Rutherford County.

January Focus:

Nourish Food Bank

nourishfoodbanks.org | (615) 203-3693

Nourish Food Bank has been working to end hunger and build up a community response to food insecurity for 40 years. By feeding families, Nourish fuels hope through compassionate service, supportive programs and partnerships that create a network of care. Last year Nourish served over 600,000 meals to families facing food insecurity in Rutherford County.

Nourish Food Bank will be celebrating its 40th anniversary on March 24. Sponsorships are available. Contact Norman Hanks or Ladawna Parham at (615) 203-3963 for information. On June 18, it will host the 2nd annual Aloha Hanaii Luau. Tickets are on sale through Ticketspice or the link on their Facebook page.

Locations and hours:

Murfreesboro: 1809 Memorial Blvd. Monday-Wednesday & Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Thursdays 3:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Smyrna: 130 Richardson St. Monday-Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Volunteers Needed: Nourish Food Bank is always in need of volunteers at both locations. Please sign up at www.nourishfoodbanks.org. Volunteers are also needed to deliver food boxes to the medically vulnerable and homebound population.

Donations Needed: Non-perishable food and fresh garden produce donations are always welcome. You may drop these off during normal business hours. Monetary donations can be made online at Venmo @Nourish-FoodBanks, or by sending a check to Nourish Food Bank, 1809 Memorial Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN 37129. If you are interested and able to help, contact Norman Hanks at norman@nourishfoodbanks.org for more information.

ALIVE HOSPICE

alivehospice.org | (615) 327-1085

The 29th annual Alive & The Bluebird benefit series has returned with live shows. Join Alive throughout January for a full month of over 20 shows live at The Bluebird Café featuring singer-songwriters in support of patients and families. Tickets for these shows are available at bluebirdcafe.com/shows/.

CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER

cacrutherford.org | (615) 867-9000

The Child Advocacy Center responds as a multi-disciplinary team with the Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office to respond to child abuse, child sexual abuse, and drug endangered children cases.

Donations Needed: N-95 masks, USB drives, blank DVD’s, Lysol spray, cleaning supplies, copy paper, bottled water, and individually wrapped snacks.

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training: If you would like to schedule the Darkness to Light child sexual abuse prevention training for your church, business, civic group, school, or daycare contact Carrie Norvell at cnorvell@cacrutherford.org.

Hometown Heroes Walk for Children will take place Friday, April 29. The Child Advocacy Center is recruiting event sponsors. Please contact Katie Enzor at kenzor@cacrutherford.org for more information.

DOORS OF HOPE

opendoorsofhope.org | 615-900-0634

Donations needed: Personal hygiene products (deodorant, shampoo, body wash, feminine products) and household items (bedding, bath, and kitchen towels, gently used dishes, pots and pans, and cleaning products).

Volunteer needed: Be a Life Coach or teach a class once a month. If you have a particular talent or experience you would like to share (such as teaching art classes, sewing, cooking, nutrition, fitness, etc.), then Doors of Hope needs you. Volunteers are also needed to provide a meal once a month. For more information contact Wendy Randolph at wrandolph@opendoorsofhope.org.

THE JOURNEY HOME

lovegodservepeople.org | (615) 809-2643

Volunteers Needed: The Journey Home is looking for volunteers to provide, prepare, and serve lunch on the third Thursday of the month.

Donations Needed: Journey Home’s Coldest Nights program provides temporary shelter for our homeless population, but they are still out in the elements during the day. Coats, warm gloves, hats, scarves, and socks are needed to help keep them warm. To learn more about these opportunities, contact Lisbeth Couser at LCouser@LoveGodServePeople.org or call (615) 624-4347.

OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM

mchra.com/ombudsman | (615) 850-3918

Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman program advocates for the rights of thousands of residents in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and homes for the aged in Rutherford County. Trained, certified Ombudsman volunteers make regular visits to these facilities where they spend time with residents, monitor conditions, investigate complaints, educate regarding abuse and neglect and protect residents’ rights. The program offers mediation, complaint resolution, and public education for residents and their families. Covid restrictions and resulting isolation have resulted in a greater need for independent, objective observation and reporting.

Volunteers Needed: The Ombudsman Program is recruiting for volunteers in the Rutherford County area. Volunteer applicants must pass a background check and attend a 16-hour classroom training. The next training session will be held Feb. 9-10. Contact Cindy Rudolph at cindy.rudolph@mchra.com or (615) 850-3918 by Jan. 31 to sign up.

READ TO SUCCEED

readtosucceed.org | (615) 738-READ

Read To Succeed is gearing up for UNPLUG & Read Month. This February-long, community-wide initiative encourages children, families and adults to get away from the electronic distractions and enjoy the wonders of a good book. It’s been shown that reading as a family improves cognitive and listening skills in both children and adults, and there is no better way to read together than to put away the phones and TVs and gather around the living room with a book or two. Learn more about UNPLUG & Read Month at www.readtosucceed.org/unplug-read/.

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