Thank you for your support in 2015. What a year – lots of milestones and successes! Also a lot of learning and growth. You get to do more when you turn five years old and we are preparing for the challenges.
Now 2016 – we are beginning the year with change for No More Empty Pots. We are so excited for the partnerships and plans developing for 2016. Much of our activity is associated with the food hub. Join us for the groundbreaking on January 21, 2016 at 10:30AM at 8501 North 30th ST. Get tickets and more details here. If you are interested in partnering and/or providing services to meet the needs of entrepreneurs and workforce training participants, please contact us. We expect to start operations in October 2016 with our first cohort of participants.
I am so excited for the gardening related projects that are taking shape. Holy Name Housing and Heartland Family Service will start preparation for the kitchen and community garden beds this spring at the North Omaha Intergenerational Human Services Campus. The senior gardens are thriving on campus and we can hardly wait to get to work with the seniors and teens on the new gardens.
Another youth project that incorporates art and local foods is Project Localize. Project Localize is a program from Lexicon of Sustainability. Teachers were nominated and chosen in a competitive process to participate. We will be working with two schools Fontenelle Elementary and Oakdale Elementary. Joey Vickery is the lead teacher at Fontenelle Elementary and has already started planning her 4th grader field trips to local farms. Andrea Brady is our teacher at Oakdale Elementary. You will get a chance to see what the students create at a public art show to be announced at the end of the project.
We are expanding our staff too. No More Empty Pots is hiring for a Development Director. If you are interested or know someone who might be interested, share this link.
Remember to grab a cup of coffee at No More Empty Cups and if you need a place to hold a small meeting or gathering, send your request to coffeeshop[at]nomoreemptypots.org. Look for some neighborhood specials and fun events over the next few months. A calendar will be posted soon.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact us. We are adding opportunities to the calendar weekly.
Lastly you will notice some changes in staff and presence. After 14 years of service as Chief Information Officer at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, I am now concentrating my time and energy full time as the President/CEO of No More Empty Pots. I look forward to more visits and conversations with you about our work together.
See you soon!
