Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region

Kia Autosport of Tallahassee's Charity of the Month this July is the Early Learning Coalition, and we couldn't be more excited. We believe that every student deserves the opportunity to be successful. We are cramming the van (a brand new Kia Sedona!) with school supplies. Their wishlist includes (but is not limited to!) hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, crayons, nap mats, tissues, markers, construction paper, scissors, backpacks, and lunch boxes. You don't have to spend a lot of money to change a child's school year (and life!) On August 3rd we will be filling the van with school supplies all day. Don't miss out on this great chance to donate, we will even have free food and raffles going on. 

What is the Early Learning Coalition?

Headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida, the ELC proudly serves Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla Counties. A contracted partner with the State of Florida's Office of Early Learning, the ELC is responsible for the administration of the School Readiness and Voluntary PreKindergarten programs.

Throughout this ELC’s history, the Board and staff have strived to provide a holistic service delivery system that is responsive to needs of families and communities while maintaining effective and efficient business practices supporting the following primary goals:

1. Children are ready for success when they enter school; and

2. Families have access to the quality child care services and assistance they need.

The ELC staff work everyday at effectively connecting approximately 7,000 children and their families to the early learning program that best meets the needs of the child and family. 

What does the Early Learning Coalition Do? 

Family Services:

• Child care information and resources
• Customized child care referrals
• School Readiness tuition assistance
• Voluntary PreKindergarten programs for 4 year olds
• Referrals and assistance in accessing additional community resources

Child Services:

• Hearing, vision and developmental screening
• Early literacy programs such as the My First Books "giving library"
• Early intervention services for children with identified areas of concern

Teacher Services:

• Professional development through on-line and classroom training
• On-site coaching and technical assistance
• Resource development
• Linkages to community resources and volunteers

Don't miss out on the opportunity to donate to this wonderful charity that's doing great things for the students and families in our community. Will we see you on August 3rd? 

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