MEETING OF THE MINDS: A MONTHLY CHECK-IN FROM OUR PRESIDENT/CEO

This week, I traveled to Tallahassee to visit with agencies and associations about supporting our campaign against hunger. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and supportive of Florida Impact to End Hunger. Thanks to Secretary Prudom at Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Secretary Poppell at the Department of Children and Families, and Surgeon General Rivkees at the Department of Health for taking the time out of your crazy busy schedules to hear our voice and listen to our concerns about our most vulnerable populations.

I also had great and productive visit with our longtime partner, Lakisha Hood, Director of The Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. We talked about how Florida Impact to End Hunger can support their efforts to make sure that children receive a meal during the summer months through the Florida BreakSpot Program.

I also stopped in for a chat about the Afterschool Meals Program with Heather Bernier at the Association of School Administrators, and then a final stop at the Florida Education Association to meet with Tina Dunbar and discuss how we can support Florida’s teachers and cultivate school nutrition champions in the classroom.

Many thanks to Sky Beard from Florida No Kid Hungry and her new staff member Josh for meeting with us at the end of a long day to plan strategies in working together to end childhood hunger in Florida. Thanks to our devoted COO Katie Williams who supported me at all our meetings and remains in Tallahassee to continue all these partnerships. None of this would have happened without the incredible scheduling efforts of Kelli Greene, our administrative coordinator and go to/do everything assistant.

What a week! And it’s not over yet…

– Trudy Novicki

President/CEO

Florida Impact to End Hunger

#teamstories