Dear 5th Bridge Pledgers,

Fall is harvest time – a time of abundance. In Northfield, we enjoy a pretty nice quality of life. We have access to quality education, adequate shelter, nutritious food, good health care and a vibrant community life. It’s easy to believe (or at least hope) that everyone enjoys the same quality of life that we share here in Northfield, but the reality is that most of the world’s population survives on $2 a day or less. Hunger is rampant. This fall, we invite you to share the bounty and make a difference in world hunger and poverty.

During the week of September 28–October 4, 2008, we invite you, your friends, your co-workers and your family to participate in two rewarding and educational philanthropic opportunities that will make a difference in world hunger and poverty.

• Raise money and walk in the Northfield CROP Hunger Walk '08 on September 28, beginning at 2:30 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church. CROP Hunger Walks raise funds to alleviate hunger and poverty and promote justice and peace. Projects are implemented through Church World Service, and 25 percent of the money raised is used locally while 75 percent is used across the globe. Visit www.northfieldcrophungerwalk.org for more details.
• 5th Bridge is hosting the second annual Feed My Starving Children Mobile Food Packing Unit right here in Northfield October 2–4, 2008. This is the perfect volunteer opportunity for people of all ages … it’s fun, educational, purposeful, takes only two hours of your time, and best of all, it’s rewarding. Last year’s event was wildly successful! Nearly 800 Northfield volunteers packaged over 205,000 meals and Northfield donors contributed over $22,500 toward the cost of the raw ingredients. The meals packed were then distributed to starving children and families around the world. Each person left the event with a smile, knowing that he or she had played a tangible role in helping to alleviate global hunger. Our theme for this year’s event is Share the Bounty and our goal is to pack 225,000 meals and raise $38,000 to cover the cost of the raw ingredients. Sign up to volunteer on our website, www.5thbridge.org, or call Candy Taylor at 507-581-3017. Each volunteer will be asked to contribute $37, to the extent that they are able, in order to cover the cost of the raw ingredients he or she will pack during a two-hour volunteer slot. If you’re short on cash for a donation, check out our website (www.5thbridge.org) for fun and easy ways to raise money for the Feed My Starving Children event. Space is limited, so sign up today!

In between the two events, we encourage individuals and groups to take some time to learn about the root causes of poverty and hunger in our local and global community and what is being done to help. There are hundreds of ways to get involved – look for one that best suits your interests and availability.

Here are some other current volunteer opportunity postings that you’ll find on our website:

• ARTech Charter School Board Election – deadline to file is September 19, 2008.
• Hope Center Volunteer Advocate Training will be offered in Northfield September 25–November 13.

Thank you for sharing your gifts, talents and bounty for the good of all.

Sincerely,

Candy Taylor and your friends at 5th Bridge

P.S. It’s not too late to stand up and say, “iVolunteer,” by walking with 5th Bridge in the Defeat of Jesse James Grand Parade on September 7. All 5th Bridge walkers will receive a cool “iVolunteer, do you?” t-shirt. If you’d like to join us, please contact Candy Taylor at candy@5thbridge.org or call 507-581-3017. All ages are welcome, and young children must be accompanied by a parent. Please download and sign the waiver form at http://www.djjd.org/lmth/committee/waiver/parade.pdf and bring it with you to the parade line-up.