Second Harvest of the Big Bend

Most everyone has probably heard of Second Harvest at some point or another. How could you not? They have their giving hands in almost every project relating to food around the country. Just in the Big Bend alone 44,000 people a month are fed because of the efforts of Second Harvest.  Most residents are aware that Second Harvest is a food bank and helps feed the community. However, many do not know the efforts behind the scene and all of the side programs Second Harvest of the Big Bend offers.

In this blog I am going to take go straight to the point with facts and figures of Second Harvest of the Big Bend. If you would like to read more about the nitty and gritty please continue to their website. http://www.fightinghunger.org/

Food Bank Operations-

The food bank operation is the heart and soul of Second Harvest.  They collect, store, and distribute 5.5 million pounds of food annually! First, the food is donated or acquired by Second Harvest. Then the food is distributed to more than 135 partner agencies; these agencies give the food to those directly in need of it.

Brown Bags for Seniors-

This generous program provides grocery items for more than 430 elderly in our community!  The seniors that receive this service are either on a fixed-income or impoverished.

Child Nutrition Program-

1 in 4 children in the Big Bend struggle with hunger daily.  Second Harvest strives to keep working as hard as they can until the day that no child in the Big Bend goes a day without food hungry.  

Backpack Program-

This service provides 350 bags of food weekly to children in school so they will have food for the weekend. This allows the children to worry less about where their next meal will come from and more about staying in school and doing their homework.

 Summer Food Program-

The summer can be a hard time for a child if you don’t know where your next meal is coming from. That is why Second Harvest of the Big Bend supplies 6,216 meals and snack to children in the summer months.

Second Harvest of the Big Bend supplies incredible amounts of food to the counties it services. However, they can’t do it alone! As of right now only 7% of the food comes from food drives. Kia Autosport is determined to drive that number up! This is our community and it’s our turn to give back too.  

 

Throughout the month of February we will be collecting food and monetary donations to be gifted to Second Harvest of the Big Bend! Look out for our Facebook page because we will have weekly specials and promotions benefiting Second Harvest and you! On February 23^rd we will have a BBQ here as one last push to collect the most food possible. At the BBQ we will have contests, prizes, and a big give away!

We can’t do it alone though! Clean out your cabinets and if it’s been there for over a year and you still haven’t eaten it, you probably won’t eat it.  So give it to those in need!  But check the expiration date first J

Taking A Vacation? Driving Long-Distances?

Planning on Taking a Road Trip?

With the summer months headed this way, there is going to be a lot of travelers and people on the roads. We want everyone to be as safe as possible and take caution while driving not only short distances but more importantly on those long drives! Here are 10 helpful tips to take into consideration when preparing for a long drive! We want to make sure our Kia family members, along with everyone else arrive safely to their destinations!

10 Helpful Hints for Long Distance Driving:

·         1- Be sure to check your vehicle before leaving:

o   Maintenance check (tires, brakes, engine, wiper blades, signals, lights, oil, etc.)

·         2- Have an emergency kit available:

o   Emergency kit (Car manual, flashlight, extra batteries, reflective triangle (in case you need to pull over), flares, basic tools and a first aid kit.)

·         3- Get a good night rest the night before:

o   Be sure to get a full night sleep, feeling fatigue or drowsy could lead to falling asleep at the wheel.

·         4- All luggage and cargo should be secured:

o   Make sure all luggage is placed and secured tightly, so that it doesn’t move around when having to make a quick stop

·         5- Pack the car with car friendly items:

o   Anything along the lines of blankets, napkins, wet wipes, hands-free cell phone device, trash bags, and medicine.

·         6- Have food available:

o   Take snacks, water, fruit, etc. Be sure not to take anything with too much salt or sugar, it can lead to mood changes or easily make you more tired.

·         7- Be sure to take breaks:

o   Take a break if you feel tired or even just to stretch your legs and walk around to keep circulation flowing. A general rule is to take a break every 2 hours of driving.

·         8- Bring music to listen to:

o   Have your iPod or CD with your favorite music in case the radio stations aren’t playing your favorite kind of music, you need stuff to entertain you!

·         9- Directions/Route

o   Make sure you have a good idea of where you’re headed and the roads you are taking, to avoid getting lost. Give yourself extra time in case you want to stop or visit places along the way. Be sure to check the track and areas you should avoid at certain times.

·         10-Remember to have fun!

o   A road trip should be a fun experience, make it part of the vacation!

Follow these 10 helpful hints, and your next long distance travel should be a successful one! Remember to be safe, keep your eyes on the road, don’t get distracted, and be sure to make it FUN!

Health Initiative at Kia: Tips to a Better Healthier You

Health Initiative Here at Kia

Here at Kia we have been doing a health initiative since March to help get our employees involved and in shape! We would love to have everyone participate and share some of their healthy secrets. It’s a great and fun way to help keep your body on a healthier track. Just by adding 30 minutes of exercise a day or even making a home cooked meal a couple times a week will make a difference. Some things you should eat and an exercise that helps with everything:

8 Foods Your Meals Should Consist of:

1.       Veggies: asparagus, carrots, celery, spinach, broccoli

2.       Fruits: apples, blueberries, watermelon, grapefruit, cranberries

3.       Grains: barley, corn, millet, oats, whole wheat, quinoa, buckwheat

4.       Spices: basil, ginger, parsley, sage, thyme, rosemary

5.       Beans: black beans, lima beans, soybeans, miso, kidney beans, pinto beans

6.       Seafood: oysters, cod, salmon, shrimp, tuna, sardines, halibut

7.       Nuts: almonds, flaxseeds, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, peanuts

8.       Juices: green tea, ice water, vegetable juice, soy milk, cranberry juice, fruit smoothie

10 Reasons to Run

1.       It’s a top calorie burning exercise

2.       Solo runs provide time for self-discovery

3.       It  reduces stress

4.       It gives you energy

5.       It revs metabolism even while you aren’t doing it

6.       It lengthens your life span

7.       It provides an opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature

8.       Expensive equipment isn’t required

9.       It lifts your mood

10.   It fights depression and anxiety

Recipe of The Week (Cinco de Mayo)

1.       http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/07/skinny-taco-dip.html

·         Let us know what you think!

There are many different exercises and ways you can increase the amount of exercise activity you do in a week, just doing some sort of activity 30 minutes a day will lead to a better healthier you. Instead of getting takeout, try cooking dinner for a week and see if you feel a change. We have seen a huge difference in our employees and would love for you to join us. Stay tuned for more ways to become a better healthier you!

Remember, We Wanna See Ya In A Kia!