In that light we are asking anyone who might have a location that is gym size or larger,with some additional hallways and adequate parking AND that can be used for an 8 day (Wednesday through Wednesday, just before Thnaksgiving) to contact us at our phone (CFH telephone 372-9881) answering machine.  The location must be in the City of Schenectady.

Sign-Ups
St John the Evangelist School

• Friday, October 26th 5-8PM
• Saturday, October 27th 10Am -4PM
• Sunday, Sunday October 28th, 1-4PM

Needs:
People to sign up recipients. Must be accurate and have legible handwriting.

Contact:
CFH telephone 372-9881

Food Drive Week

All events take place at former St. Luke's School on Albany Street. Entrance is through the parking lot back entrance of the building.  .

Wednesday,November 14, 2007~ Preparation
The boxes are assembled that will hold the "baskets". Many hands are needed to accomplish this task. If interested, just show up at the School at 3 PM on that day. Refreshments will be served

Thursday November 15, 2007~ Floor Layout
On Thursday, from noon to 5PM we set up the floor for Saturday. Help is needed from 1-4PM.on that day. We have to assemble the boxes used in the storage of the fresh fruit and vegetables as well as other "light" food. We also have to set up the sorting area. This is not a good day for young children. Some help is needed from drivers with trucks and/or station wagons to pick up various donations from farms, orchards etc.

Contact:
CFH telephone 372-9881
Friday, November 16, 2007~ Food Pick-Up & Delivery
Volunteers needed from 9AM - 5PM
This is the day that we pick up the food collected at schools, hospitals, day Care Centers, and businesses around the county. We also pick up the bulk fresh food and items ordered from the Food Bank. Food ordered from Price Chopper is also delivered. Heavy work. More help is needed from drivers with trucks and/or station wagons to pick up various donations from farms, orchards etc.

Contact:
CFH telephone 372-9881

Saturday, November 17, 2007~ Sorting
Sorting Day: Help is needed from 9AM to 5PM (less if done earlier)

Tasks include:

• Sorting: Picking up a tray of food and sorting into stations (Thanksgiving appropriate) according to what food is in the tray. Children should be at least 6 to perform this job.
• Stage Food Sorting: Similar to regular sorting, however items are not appropriate for Thanksgiving and are sent to the food pantries.
• Fresh Vegetable Counting: Only some fresh apples have to be sorted this year.
• Name Tag Station / Volunteer Assignment: Usually staffed by a person or persons who cannot lift or are older. Supervises name tag distribution and directs volunteers to work stations.
• Counting Stations: Mature teenagers and adults count each items sorted by sorters. Must be able to judge whether items belong at their station. Must carefully count each item and write on a piece of paper to hand to tally computer. This a very important task.

CFH telephone 372-9881

Sunday, November 18, 2007 ~ Packing
Packing Day: Help is needed from 9AM to 5PM (less if done earlier) This is the day the "baskets" are put together. For each item sorted on Saturday, a station is set up. The station is staffed by 1-3 volunteers (pre- assigned) and it is their responsibility to follow a grid that tells them how much of each item to place in each box. Many of the stations are already filled, so if you would like to staff a station, you should contact  the CFH telephone 372-9881

Tasks include:

• Stations: One station per item sorted, fresh produce, purchased items. 1-3 people needed to staff each station. A grid is provided for which an amount has been figured for each family size for a station. It is the task of each station to place that amount in each box as it passes by their location. Persons staffing stations are either staying all day or in four hour sessions, 9-1 and 1-5. Please note:  Preference for station assignment will be given to persons willing to stay the entire day.
• Packers: Packers are the people who carry box, or pull wagons or carts through the maze of stations. Either bring a cart of some sort or pair up with another volunteer to carry the boxes. Toward the end of the maze the boxes get quite heavy and bulky. Children under 10 should be supervised by an adult.
• Intake: 1-5 people stationed at door to the school. Under the supervision of Alan Schick, accept food donations, sort into station's boxes and deliver to either the station or the stage.
• Name Tag Station / Volunteer Assignment: Usually staffed by a person or persons who cannot lift or are older. Supervises name tag distribution and directs volunteers to work stations.
• Cruisers: The cruisers are "strong" adults who stacked the completed boxes at the end of the packing process. Cruisers can show up and work as needed.

Monday, November 19, 2007~ Agency Pick-Up
This is the day the various agencies pick up their baskets. Baskets are also delivered to homebound recipients.
Food pantries also pick up the non-Thanksgiving food sorted out for them. Volunteers from the agencies  pick up their
boxes. Several volunteers are needed to help facilitate the above process.

On Monday, the floor is set up for Tuesday.

Contact:
CFH telephone 372-9881
.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007 Basket Distribution
Distribution Day: This is the day that the individual recipients pick up their baskets.
Turkey Delivery: The turkeys ordered from Price Chopper are delivered at 6AM. Volunteers are needed to help unload the turkeys from the truck. Just show up to help.

• Distribution: 9 AM until 7 PM
• Runners: Teams of three who following instruction gather the basket, turkey, etc. and distribute to recipient. Instructions will be explained prior to distribution. Good community service group event. If your school is interested in sending a group of kids down to participate, arrangements should be made ahead of time with Carol Smolyn (374-3398)
• Helpers: Persons who help recipients get the food basket to their vehicle.
• Cleanup: Persons needed to help cleanup hall after distribution.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007  Cleanup

     Volunteers are needed for all aspects of cleanup of the facility.
Just show up to help.

Questions:
If you have any questions on the above process, feel free  CFH at 372-9881 and someone will return your call.