Community comes out in support of Village Food Project
Barb Harrell, Executive Director of the Village Food Project along with (l-to-r) Emily White, Hanna Sterle, Chani Fordyce, and Samm Sanson. The girls have learned to become VFP chefs, preparing the nutritious meals; gained experience in cleaning of the kitchen; and prepared the video presented during the Jan. 9 introduction to the community.
View Image Gallery
The Village Food Project, an endeavor spearheaded by Executive Director Barb Harrell, held an informational meeting at Bay Presbyterian Church on Jan. 9. The evening included an overview of the project, as well as prayer, videos and performances by the Bay High Choraleers. The many attendees were also treated to a sampling of a few VFP dishes.
The project, which was born on Sept. 24, 2010, and modeled after a similar program in Sebastopol, Calif., will provide three meals per week to Bay families who are facing a cancer crisis. The meals will be offered for up to 12 weeks – an average cancer treatment duration – after which clients will be asked to provide a donation to continue in the program.
Students in 9th-12th grades who reside in Bay, with guidance from volunteer adult chefs, will prepare the meals on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons in the Bay Presbyterian kitchen. Trained adults will deliver a week’s worth of meals on Wednesday evenings. Adult volunteers are also needed for grocery shopping, fundraising, planting and harvesting produce, composting and administrative tasks.
Harrell stated that he meals have been researched, tested and adapted to provide concentrated nutrients and “taste awesome.” Cancer patients often face loss of appetite, so the meals were designed so that each bite is packed with nutrition. Two donated Vita-Mix machines allow VFP to grind food to make it palatable for those who have difficulty chewing or swallowing.
Debbie Bock, a licensed social worker and director of Bay’s Community Services Department, will meet with each client to determine their needs, nutritionally and otherwise.
The Village Food Project estimates that they currently have enough funds to feed 16 clients for 12 weeks. Donations of goods and services are always needed. A wish list of items needed for the kitchen has been created on Amazon.com (search: “Village Food Project” or access this story on our website, wbvobserver.com, for a direct link.)
Barb Harrell, who traveled to California to gather ideas from Sebastopol’s Ceres Community Project, explained that that program has exploded in its first four years, now serving roughly 150 families per week. The early community support of the Village Food Project has Harrell optimistic that Bay Village can be an “incubator” for this idea in our region.
“This is a project that grows like rapid fire,” Harrell told the crowd. “You’re all in the beginning stages of something really awesome.”
If you or someone you know is facing cancer and would like to sign up for the Village Food Project, or if you would like to volunteer your time or donate goods or services, contact 440-348-9401, info@villagefoodproject.com, or The Village Food Project, P.O. Box 40023, Bay Village, OH, 44140.
Two initial volunteer orientations have been scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 7-8 p.m. or Saturday, Jan. 22, from 10-11 a.m. in the Bay Presbyterian kitchen, 25415 Lake Rd. A fundraising evening of bowling and live music is planned for Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. at Bay Lanes. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. RSVP to Scott Pohlkamp at aspohlkamp@yahoo.com.
For more information about the Village Food Project, including volunteer opportunities and donation forms, visit villagefoodproject.com.