Bikes for Kids!

Frank Brinkerhoff is a retired gentleman from Sioux City and the President of Siouxland Cyclists. Frank began repairing and donating used bicycles to children in need about 5 years ago when a school teacher approached him about a child who needed a bike. Since then, the project has taken off. Frank collects  bicycles from friends whose kids have outgrown their bicycles and other people who learn about his Bikes for Kids project and want to help. Recently, Frank donated 5 bicycles of varying sizes to Bridges West for the kids to use while they are in the program. Additionally, he took 5 bicycles that had been abandoned by former residents. He will get them back in riding order before returning 3 of them to Bridges West and giving the other 2 to a couple of little girls who need a bicycle. Thank you, Frank for so generously giving of your time and talent to collect, repair, and give away Bikes for Kids!

Save the Date - Rock the Mighty Mo is August 2!

Center For Siouxland's Signature Event

Rock the Mighty Mo!

August 2, 2013        7-11 p.m.

Marina Inn South Sioux City

Featuring: Midwest Dueling Pianos

Dessert Bar, Silent Auction & Mystery Wine

Register For Post-Purchase Education for Homebuyers Class

Generations Join to Fight Hunger in Siouxland

SIOUX CITY JOURNAL | Center For Siouxland and the national Feinstein Foundation of Rhode Island have joined forces in the greatest grassroots campaign ever to fight hunger in U.S. communities.  According to Susan McGuire, grant writer with Center for Siouxland, for the past 15 years, Alan Shawn Feinstein has given away $1 million each year to anti-hunger agencies throughout the United States.  "In order to receive a share of Mr. Feinstein's $1 million, participating agencies must challenge churches, schools, businesses, community organizations and individuals to conduct food drives and/or collect cash donations on behalf of their food pantry," she said.

All donations from the challenge must be received during the months of March and April. In May, McGuire will submit a report of the donations -- cash and in-kind -- and in July the Center for Siouxland will receive a check from the foundation.  "I'm not exactly sure of the formula used to figure our 'share' of the $1 million, but it is never less than $250," she said. "The more donations we receive, the greater our share of the Feinstein $1 million."  This is the sixth year Center For Siouxland has participated in the Feinstein Foundation Challenge, McGuire said.  "We're trying to reach as many people as we can," she said. "Hunger is a huge issue in Siouxland. We serve more than 100 families and provide more than 2,000 pounds of food to hungry people in Siouxland each month, and the demand keeps increasing each year."

McGuire suggested individuals or groups could organize a food drive in a neighborhood or at a school, church or business.  "For example, Spalding Park Elementary School is participating," she said. "US Bank is also participating. We have contacted several churches who regularly support our food pantry as well. And sometimes, we don't know until after the fact when they send a check or call us and ask us to come and pick up the food they collected."  McGuire clarified it isn't all about nonperishable food items.  "You could hold a Casual for a Cause or Jeans Day for your employees and donate the proceeds to Center For Siouxland," she said. "Both approaches are great. You just have to remember, all donations must be received by the end of April in order to be counted toward the Feinstein Challenge."

Johna Platt is Center for Siouxland's Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP, director and a Girl Scout troop leader. She planned an intergenerational food drive during which her Daisy Girl Scouts and her RSVP volunteers would work together to collect food for Center For Siouxland.  "Yes, there are many worthwhile projects, but this one is very tangible for the RSVP volunteers and the girls to understand," she said. "I am the troop leader to seven first-grade girls. They might not understand how raising money for a cause really has an impact, but with this, they can see the amount of food and they can put it together with people that may not have food and may need it."  Platt emphasized the food drive was something both groups could help with.  "It isn't too difficult for them to stand outside of a store, greeting customers and handing out fliers to them," she said. "That also goes well with the RSVP volunteers. It's not a strenuous activity."  RSVP volunteers have always participated in food drives for Center For Siouxland; however, this is the first time this pairing has come up, Platt noted.  "This is my first year as a Girl Scout troop leader, and my goal was to have the girls be service-minded," she said. "I wanted them to be constantly thinking of ways to give back. This project came up and it was a great idea to pair the two groups together."  Platt's plan was for the two groups to collect food outside grocery stores from 10 a.m. to noon during the second week of April.  "The groups worked side by side," she said. "It would be a great opportunity for RSVP volunteers to interact with first-graders. It is our anticipation that stories will be shared and perhaps a friendship or two be formed, while supporting this worthwhile cause."

More info

For more information about Center For Siouxland's grant challenge, contact Susan McGuire at Center For Siouxland, susan.mcguire@centerforsiouxland.org or 712-252-1861, ext. 17. 

Money Smart Week: Your Chance to Get Ahead

Money Smart Week® is a yearly public awareness campaign designed to help all consumers better manage their personal finances. This is achieved through the collaboration and coordinated effort of hundreds of organizations across the country including businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, not-for-profits, government agencies and the media to stress the importance of financial literacy, inform consumers about where they can get help and provide free educational seminars and activities throughout the week.

What to Do After You Buy a Home

Owing a home can be a good investment.  In order to maintain it, however, homeowners might acquire handyman skills and start saving for eventual repairs. 

Attend the Class!

To get started, Center For Siouxland will host a Post-Purchase Education for Homebuyers class this Friday, April 26th from 9 am to noon, the class will be held at 715 Douglas Street in Sioux City.  The morning includes sessions on an energy audit for savings, fire safety, and budgeting for home maintenance expenses. 

After the lunch break, the class will convene at Home Depot from 1-3 pm.  Homeowners will learn how to repair drywall and complete other simple home maintenance tasks, such as replacing a faucet and fixing a water leak.

Anyone may attend the class, but registration is required.  Call 712-252-1861 ext 29 to register with Kelli Beach.  Kelli is the certified credit and housing counselor who will teach the class.