FOCUS Alert

AUGUST 29, 2013

Welcome to the FOCUS Alert an occasional short publication spreading the news of our common work together. You are receiving this because you have shared your email address with us. You may unsubscribe at anytime (scroll to bottom for directions).

1. FOCUS WORSHIP - SEPTEMBER 1 2. GOLF OUTING 2013 3. EMPTY BOWLS 4. HELPING HANDS GIVE LUNCHES 5. THE FRONT LINES OF SCHOOL SUPPLY 6. NEW FACES AT FOCUS 7. COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS

1. FOCUS at WORSHIP SEPT 1

Dr. Vanden Wyngaard, Superintendent of the City School District of Albany will be our guest at the next FOCUS Worship, coming up this Sunday.

2. GOLF OUTING 2013

The FOCUS Golf Outing is in 1 short week. Join us for a fun day along the fairway with contests and prizes. Are you a non-golfer? Please join us for Lunch at the Ciderhouse ($20) Havent signed up yet? Call 443-0460 or email: info@focuschurches.net

CLICK PICTURE ABOVE TO ACCESS THE EVENT BROCHURE. THE GOLF OUTING WILL BENEFIT THE FOCUS INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY AND SOUP KITCEN.

3. EMPTY BOWLS
HOST COMMITTEE Bnai Sholom Reform Congregation Social Action Committee Sylvia Barnard Richard & Peggy Becker Sen. Neil Breslin NYS Senate Richard J. Broderick Douglas Bullock Capital District Solidarity Committee Capital Region Ecumenical Organization Hon. Richard Conti & Steve Snow Marie Copeland Judy Coyne Rev. Kathy Donley & Jim Wilkerson Emmanuel Baptist Church First Lutheran Church Social Ministry Committee Francine Frank Alice Green & Charles Touhey Keith Houghton Becky Hudak Kitt Jackson Capital Area Council of Churches

MAKE YOUR R E S E R V A T I O N T O D A Y: $ 2 5 C AL L 4 3 4 - 7 3 7 1 E X T 3

Rev. Debra Jameson Kathleen Jimino Hon. John T. McDonald III David & Elizabeth McMillan Ken & Karen Pass Eve & Spencer Ryan

THERE IS STILL TIME! Want to join the list of distinguished Hosts? Click here to Access Host Committee Letter and details. Click here to access the coupon.

Alice Schrade Rudy Stegemoeller & Mary Lynch Paul Winkeller & Vicky Balkoski Barbara Zaron *LIST IN FORMATION

4. HELPING HANDS GIVE LUNCHES

Volunteers from the First United Methodist Church in Delmar assembled and donated over 100 homemade bag-lunches for guests of the FOCUS Breakfast Express program in August. Thank you!

5. THE FRONT LINES OF SCHOOL SUPPLY

School Supply Project 2013 kicked off this week 5 epic days of sorting, preparing, and distributing school supplies to local youth. FOCUS annually donates backpacks filled with supplies for school age children, including children in the shelter system.

6. NEW FACES AT FOCUS

Ali is a new volunteer at the FOCUS Interfaith
Food Pantry. She moved to the US 11 years ago from Pakistan. My first volunteer work was with an organization which helped immigrants with challenges they faced such as domestic violence, language, and youth counseling. It was an invaluable experience. I have worked with animal shelters, food banks, and refugee and immigrant placements. I am very excited to work with the FOCUS food pantry program. I greatly admire their work and their commitment to the community. I love the outdoors and want to explore very inch of this earth. My dream is to live in Alaska, now I just have to get my husband on board with it. The love of my life are my pets who remind me that we share this earth, we don't own it. Welcome, Ali!

Jennie Law is currently a volunteer at the

FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry. Outside of FOCUS I am working on a Ph.D. in Public Affairs and Policy that examines poverty and inequality, specifically how we can create opportunities for all that will result in a more just world. I continue to research food security access to sufficient safe and nutritious food, for local and international communities as one of the most effective and important ways to empower individuals in their own lives. Welcome, Jennie!

Juanita ONeil Juanita is currently a

volunteer in the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry. Juanita is a full time student at Sage graduate school, studying Counseling and Community Psychology. Outside of school, Juanita makes handcrafted jewelry and plays intramural basketball. She enjoys volunteering in the community at FOCUS, Habitat for Humanity, and in school! Welcome, Juanita!

First Church in Albany

has a pantry in partnership with FOCUS. Greetings to our fellow pantry! Lorraine Houk, Manager of the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry spends time with both pantries during the week, now serving a broader network of neighbors in need.

6. COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS
September marks the 9th annual National Preparedness Month. You can better plan for public health emergencies by enhancing your preparedness. The Albany County Dept. of Health offers more information on their web site: www.registeredandready.com

STAY IN TOUCH!

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