PRESS RELEASE - July 10, 2010

SOUTH LOWELL WINS FROM FOOD FIGHT 2010

The competition was extremely close for most of the game, offering eleven lead changes, mostly from the second quarter on.  When all the dust settled, South Lowell won 8,360 to 8,023, to claim the Flat River Outreach Ministries Food Fight 2010 championship.  The South team victory evens up the score with the North’s win in 2009. 

“When it rains, it pours.  But that can be a good thing”, said FROM board chair Kraig Haybarker .  “It may have rained on our parade Saturday, but it also rained food for our Food Pantry.  We are so blessed by the generosity of this community”, he continued.   New standards were set during the competition this year, such as 1,678 food items collected during the parade and 7,123 food items during the frenzied final 10-day fourth quarter.  However, the big number was the amazing 16,383 total food items that were collected in 2010, compared to 8,496 in 2009.    

The added attraction of “Food Fight Specials” offered by businesses certainly provided more donations throughout the game, as customers realized that a food item became a “coupon” and also a donation to the Food Pantry at the same time.  The fromfoodfight.org website was viewed over 400 times during the final quarter of the game, which will be the main communication vehicle in future years.  The website also provided for several on-line monetary donations for both teams, as each $1 donated counted as a food item.  Additionally, the new Food Fight logo and red and white food containers provided visual reminders of how to help those in need throughout the community.   “The red and white containers provided a means for both businesses and their customer base to get involved.  The fun of using food donations as coupons made for some very creative specials for our local retailers”, said Rick Seese, FROM treasurer and marketing director.  “We’re still pioneering, but we’re also branding our community food drive in a fun way”, he added. 

In addition to the continuous help from area churches, there were several new businesses that participated for both teams in 2010.  Sixty five different businesses, organizations and churches collected food and there were over 100 Food Fight containers on display throughout the community.  The scoring difference this year can be attributed to an added spark from the Alto area.  Last year’s team leadership from Schneider Manor and Lowell Senior Neighbors/Gilda’s Club was again paramount to the South team success, as the two provided nearly 1,000 food items between them.  However, newcomers Heidi’s Farm Stand, Alto Beauty Shop, Ice Cream Caboose, along with Alto Bar and Deer Run Golf Course chipped in another 1,000 items.  On the other side of the field, the North Lowell team was led by last year’s superstar, Curves-Lowell, with nearly 1,000 items by themselves.   Considerable North scoring was also provided by Dollar General and newcomer B.C. Pizza.  In addition, there were large contributions from many area churches for both teams, as well as, general Pantry donations and FROM Thrift Shop collections from their Food Fight Specials. 

“It seemed to go very smooth, especially for a second year event”, said Seese.  “We’ll look for ways to enhance the Food Fight for next year, especially with the Interact Club and Lowell Schools.  There is much more planned for awareness of hunger in America, worldwide, as well as locally.  We will help educate throughout all age groups for 2011”, he said.  “We can’t thank the Lowell community enough for how they have embraced our event and needs”, said Mary Novello, FROM Executive Director.  “Our Pantry shelves really needed this boost and the Lowell community responded beyond our dreams”, she continued.

The North Lowell vs. South Lowell rivalry continues in 2011, each with a team victory.  But again, the real winner is Flat River Outreach Ministries and their Food Pantry, and of course, those they serve.

 

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PRESS RELEASE - May 28, 2010

FROM Food Fight 2010

South Lowell Vows to Even the Score

 

Yes, there is always a winning team in most contests.  As was the case in last year’s inaugural 2009 Lowell Community “Food Fight”.  Yes, the North Lowell Team did beat the South Lowell Team 4,292 to 4,204 in the collection of non-perishable food items.  Then again, FROM received 8,496 food items for their newly dedicated Jody and Kraig Haybarker Food Pantry.  The real winner was Flat River Outreach Ministries.  There really wasn’t a loser.     

 

“What a fun way for the community to help us stock the shelves, especially when we need it the most”, says Mary Novello, FROM Executive Director.  “Lowell is a generous and caring community and it shows everyday”, she says.  “Make a game of it in Lowell and watch the competitive pride evolve” says Rick Seese, FROM Marketing Director.  “It sure feels like Red Arrow football season when I hear people buzzing about this year’s competition.  It’s almost like the community is looking for a way to warm up for the coming fall”, says Seese.  “We are ready”, proclaimed North Team leader Deb Canfield, owner of Canfield Plumbing and Heating.  “We are ready to defend our title, she continued.  The chant in Alto seems to be universal.  “The South will rise”, says Dave Burns, owner of the Alto Bar.  “We’ll have some   Food Fight Specials that’ll knock your socks off.  Alto is ready to rumble!”,  said Burns.         

 

Some of the changes this year included the Lowell Schools Kick-Off Food Fight through the month of May.  The newly formed Interact Club, formerly known as the Lowell Junior Rotarians, decided to embrace the event as a community service project.  “These students certainly know a good opportunity when they see it”, exclaimed RJ Boudro, the Interact Club’s Advisor.  “As a first year project, they are already thinking of ways to expand the awareness of hunger in America for next year among all grade levels.  Many eyes have been opened and I have felt their compassion as the competition progressed”, Boudro continued.   “Not only does FROM’s food pantry benefit from the event, but our students benefit from the educational awareness of the world-wide hunger problem, as well as the local impact”, he said.  The Interact Club organized and managed the School Food Fight during the month of May.

 

With the public and business portion of the game about to begin on June 1, FROM wanted everyone to know of the enhancements that have been added to Food Fight 2010:

 

  • The competition will run from June 1 through the completion of the “FROM the Heart Riverwalk Parade” on Saturday July 10, with the winner being announced at the afternoon Riverwalk concert.
  • The North and South Teams will continue the same boundary of Main Street/ Fulton Street/M-21 with participating businesses on the North having red collection containers and the South having white containers.
  • There is a dedicated web site with scoring updates, stories and pictures at www.FROMfoodfight.org.  Monetary  contributions can also be donated for either the North or South Teams on the website through PayPal.  Each dollar donated will count as one food item.
  • There will be a Food Fight Boxscore printed in every publication of the Lowell Buyer’s Guide and Lowell Ledger throughout the competition, showing the most updated score possible.
  • Participating businesses will be advertising their “Food Fight Specials” each week to encourage everyone to shop at their place of business.  In exchange for bringing in a non-perishable food item, the customer will receive the advertised Food Fight Special or discount for that given week.  Those same weekly specials can also be accessed on www.FROMfoodfight.org web site.  Businesses can still advertise their Food Fight Specials, for as little as $11 per week.  Simply email the request to foodfight@FROMlowell.org to inquire.   

 

“Wow,” said Trudy Cahoon, owner at Keiser’s Kitchen, “It’s like the customer can use a can or box of food as a coupon and benefit our local food pantry at the same time”.   “Really neat idea”, proclaimed Jim Ball owner of Ball’s Softee Creme, “We’re really happy to be involved this year”.   “I’ve already heard people mention that they plan to load up on those Meijer center isle food specials and keep some in their car as coupons”, said Seese.  “There’s a unique competitive nature in Lowell.  When you combine the team spirit that this community thrives on, with the enormous compassion in the hearts of the people of Lowell, something very special happens”, he added.  No predictions from this writer, other than it appears that everyone wins.    

 

The whistle is about to be blown.  And the kick-off is about to happen.  Let the game begin.

 

Inquiries and comments can be emailed to foodfight@FROMlowell.org.  

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PRESS RELEASE - May 1, 2010

Lowell Schools Kicks Off FROM Food Fight 2010

New Interact Club Provides Leadership

 

 

There’s Michigan vs. Michigan State.  Lowell vs. East Grand Rapids.  Now there’s North Lowell vs. South Lowell. 

 

Flat River Outreach Ministries has put the finishing touches on what appears to be another epic battle between North Lowell and South Lowell to collect the most non-perishable food items and benefit FROM’s Food Pantry.  After a highly successful and nationally recognized inaugural event in 2009, they are planning to take this year’s competition to the next level.

 

Last year’s inaugural event was a thrilling, see-saw competition that found the North Lowell Team edging the South Lowell Team by a mere eight-eight food items, 4,292 to 4,204.  With Main Street as each team’s boundary, many businesses gained the spirit and collected food items for their respective teams.

   

“We are truly excited to have the newly formed Lowell  Interact Club involved with our Food Fight this year”, exclaimed Mary Novello, FROM’s new Executive Director.  “This special group of students  is allowing us to expand and enhance our event”.  The Interact Club is a newly formed group of students that is replacing the Junior Rotarians as an alliance with the Lowell Rotary Club.  “This group conducts their projects separately from Lowell Rotary, but with the same community service oriented attitude”, said RJ Boudro, the club’s Lowell Schools advisor.  “The students thought it was a great fit for their mission and wanted to make it a fun, but worthy project”, he said.  The Interact Club has organized and will conduct and manage the Lowell Schools Food Fight 2010, with the entire school system competing during the month of May for the North and South Teams.

 

Rick Seese, FROM’s Director of Marketing is also excited about how the idea has blossomed with community wide interest.  “After NBC news anchor Brian Williams mention of last year’s Food Fight on his blog, eleven cities from seven different states inquired about what we did and how we did it.  We’ve planted the seed for Food Pantries across America to provide a fun, community-wide event that can produce much-needed resources.”  The public and business portion of the Food Fight will begin on June 1 and run through the completion of the “FROM the Heart Riverwalk Parade” on Saturday July 10.  “We have added some enhancements this year that are simple, but meaningful as we look ahead to future Food Fights”, added Seese.

 

With donations and in-kind support, FROM has a dedicated website that will post up-to-date scoring, pictures, stories and “Food Fight Specials” offered by supporting businesses.  “There are also links to supporting websites and even a Food Fight Blog for those interested in posting their comments”, Seese added.  The web address is www.FROMfoodfight.org.  There is also a dedicated email address for centralized communications at foodfight@FROMlowell.org.  Anyone with questions or comments are encouraged to communicate.

 

Other changes this year include custom red (North Team) and white (South Team) food collection containers that will be used for the school competition and for businesses beginning June 1.  There will also be a Food Fight Boxscore showing updated scoring and highlights in the Buyer’s Guide and Lowell Ledger.  “The Boxscores will also provide space for businesses to advertise their Food Fight Specials at a nominal cost, in support of the event”, said Seese.  “Our hope is that our local merchants will offer a discount special if you bring in a non-perishable food item”, he added.    

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PRESS RELEASE - July 13, 2009

 

North Lowell Wins First Annual FROM Food Fight! 

In a epic see-saw battle, between two very determined teams, North Lowell held their slim lead to win the First Annual FROM the Heart Food Fight, benefiting Flat River Outreach Ministries and their Food Pantry.  The community-wide contest began about 2 ½ weeks ago and ended Saturday, at the conclusion of the FROM the Heart Riverwalk parade.  The winning North Team team collected the most non-perishable food/pantry items.  “It was a wonderful experience for such a needed cause.  This community comes together in times of need and Lowell loves competition”,  commented Rick Seese, FROM board member.  “I would have never dreamed of such success, in such a short period of time”.  By a margin of only 88 items, the North Lowell Team outscored the South Lowell Team 4,292 to 4,204, for a total of 8,496 items collected for the Food Pantry.

 

The competition began with the North Team taking a narrow 845 to 713 lead, led by Curves, who accounted for 191 of the North’s first quarter total.  The following week, the South Team rallied with 1,523 items to take a huge 2,236 to 1,326 half-time lead, which at the time seemed insurmountable.  However, in a “short-week” third quarter, the North team exploded with 2,054 items of their own, to regain a slight lead of 3,380 to 3,335. 

“The third quarter was the span of Monday through Friday, leading up to the Saturday parade.  We designated parade day as the fourth and final quarter of the contest”, explained Seese.  “The competiveness really kicked in with over 3,100 items collected between the two teams during those few “third quarter” days.”  The big third quarter contributor was Canfield Plumbing and Heating, who turned on the heat with 781 items.  “The calls came pouring in with support, as the entire community became aware of what was going on”, continued Seese. 

During the parade, collection boxes were displayed along each side of Main St. to allow spectators to support each team.  Parade entries supported their teams with bags of food as their “entry fee”.  Those final few hours on Saturday produced an additional 1,781 items.  Following the parade,  all four Lowell auto dealers contributed to the pick-up and delivery of the boxes and bags to FROM for the final counting.  “Unofficially, I would have to give MVP awards to Curves, for their consistency throughout the game and to Canfield for their big play contributions toward the end of the game”, said Seese.  The big South team surges were provided by Schnieder Manor, Lowell Senior Neighbors and Greenridge Realty.  Many fun updates and statistics were provided on FROM’s new Facebook page  After the results were announced at the Riverwalk concert on Saturday evening, several South Team members were heard chanting “just wait ‘till next year!”.  During the announcement, Seese thanked all who contributed to the Food Fight campaign and promised a bigger Food Fight for next year.  “I can’t think of a more fun way to help Flat River Outreach Ministries and involve over 14,000 community members”.               

 

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Tell us your good news

By Brian Williams, Anchor and managing editor

We are always looking for good news, especially in this economy. Specifically, here's our request: nominate people who are doing good things where you live or work... perhaps a random or regular act of kindness in a cruel economy.

For the past 3 weeks, there has been a battle raging in Lowell, MI.  Not a verbal battle or a destructive battle, but a battle between North and South... the North and South sides of Main St., that is.  A local realtor came up with an idea to create a competition between North and South Lowell over which side could collect the most non-perishable food items for Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM), the local food pantry.  Although it got kind of a slow start, it gained momentum each week of the competition.  Local businesses were designated as drop-off locations, and weekly counts were taken and announced.  At one point, the North side was 1,000 items behind, which really sparked their competitive spirit...  In the end, the North side won, but only by a margin of 88 items.  Overall, both North and South together collected close to 9,000 food items for FROM.  This incredible outpouring of generosity from the small community of Lowell sprung from one man's idea.  Because of its overwhelming success, it will most likely become an annual event.

     

-Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 11:21 AM