Hungry Children in Walton County Need Our Help now

[Susan Horn]

This message has been making the rounds for a few days, but I'm sending it along to you just in case you haven't already seen it.

(Kurt, I searched for a thread where someone else might already have posted this, but could not find one -- if there is one, please put this with that one, if it's not duplicating what's already up--thank you)


From: Kate Johnson [mailto:kate@beachtobayou.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 4:03 PM
Cc: 'mizsusie@aol.com'
Subject: Hungry Children in our County

Dear Friends,

On Tuesday, one of our County Commissioners sent out a call for help: She had just met with the Councilwoman of the Muscogee Tribal Nation of Florida, which is located in Bruce (about 11 miles north-east of Freeport, or 30 minutes from the Beach). This small group represents approximately 500 households of the Muscogee Nation which includes 75+ at-risk children. This tribe is very poor and in desperate need of assistance. They are proud and are willing to work, but many have lost their jobs recently. Some are in need of gas money so they can drive to PCB to find ?Day Labor?. The result is children who are hungry...the only meal they get on a daily basis is qualification for the free school lunch program. Many of the families are now in danger of losing the power to their homes as they do not have the means to pay their electrical bills. One such family has had no power for 3 months, and didn?t ask for help until now. Can you imagine living through the recent cold spell with no heat or hot water? And it?s the children who are suffering the most.

Yesterday, a group of five friends met with the Councilwoman, other members of the council and the minister of the Bruce United Methodist Church (who is working directly with the youth in the Community through an after school program) for about 2 hours in an effort to assess this tribe's immediate, short-term and long-term needs. We took with us about $300 in groceries that we were able to raise on a moment's notice, but of course, this is just a band-aid for a few families for a few days.

This morning, this team of 5 has been turned loose to make any contacts they believe may be able to help feed these families and help pay the electrical bills which are the most immediate needs. Just so you'll know, they are diligently working to receive federal recognition as a Tribe (state recognition has been secured) which will allow them to receive quality of life support from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. But this is a long process, and they have been fighting to pass the Bill for years now.

We have contacted most of the local organizations who we think might be able to help, but some of them are tapped out of resources, and others don?t service that area.

If you would like to help, please let me know, or checks can be made out to The Muscogee Nation of Florida and at the bottom of your check note that it is for the Food Bank or to the Emergency Relief Fund( this would be to pay heat, electricity, gas etc.) Send the check to Ann Tucker, Muscogee Nation of Florida, 278 Church Road, Bruce, Fl. 32455.

I know that there are so many people out there suffering right now, but I truly believe that WE CAN make a difference for these people who are in our own backyard?literally! No contribution is too small, and all will be greatly appreciated.

We plan to make another food delivery to them next week, so if you have items you would like to donate please contact me directly.

If you can?t help personally, perhaps you could pass this message along. Ann Tucker could also use some help writing grants.

Prayers are also ALWAYS appreciated.

Thank you,

Kate Johnson
Kate@BeachtoBayou.com
(850) 231-4119

MUSCOGEE TRIBE FOOD BANK NEEDS


CAN AND BOTTLE GOODS
Chicken and Dumblings
Beef Stew, Soup, Spaghetti Sauce
Fruit and Fruit Juice ( especially apple and peaches )
Tuna, Ham, Chicken ( in cans)
Vegetables and Beans
Peanut Butter and Jelly

PACKAGE PRODUCTS
Spaghetti
Macaroni and Cheese
Ramen Noodle Packages
Rice
Dried Beans
Cereal, Grits, Oats, Cream of Wheat
Boxed Meals ( that don?t require a lot of added ingredients )
Any thing that is high in protein and has a long shelf life

FRESH PRODUCES
Fresh Fruit ( apples and grapes - the KIDS love )
Cheese ( especially string cheese )

OTHER
Shampoo
Diapers and Wipes
Feminine Hygiene Items
Deodorants, Body Soap
Laundry Detergent ( medium size )
First Aid Items
Tooth paste ( CVHN is providing toothbrushes )

MONEY
to purchase milk, bread and eggs to be included in each box

This list will provide fresh as well as long term food needs
Please contact the following for FOOD BANK pick ups:
Susan Breeden | 850.622.1378 | mizsusie@aol.com
Kate Johnson | 850.231.9114 | kate@beachtobayou.com
Jan Stevens | 850.231.2415 | janandsteve@mac.com

You can also donate money - to make a donation by check, please make it payable to:
Muscogee Nation of Florida
You may make a note on the bottom of your check: ?Food bank? for Groceries or ?Emergency Relief? for Utilities. For tax purposes: 501 (c) 3 #59-2093051

SEND CHECK TO:
Ann Tucker, Chairwoman
Muscogee Nation of Florida
278 Church Road
Bruce, FL 32455

 

[GoodWitch58]

has this been sent to the news media as well?

 

[Just Curious]

Ok, I am going to ask a question at the risk of sounding completely insensitive and mean. Please forgive me if I do.

Is this a Muscogee Tribe problem or a Walton County problem? What I mean is, Are there other kids in WC that are going without food, or is it isolated to this Indian tribe?

I agree with your efforts in helping these kids, but can't help but ask myself if there is a bigger issue here.

Again, sorry if I offend anyone with these questions.

 

[scooterbug44]

It's not isolated to these kids/families, but this is a specific group that needs help. And if I read it correctly, they pretty much ARE the Muscogee Nation and live in Walton County.

Why are they not eligible for food stamps etc.? (know that isn't a solution, but it could help).

 

[Susan Horn]

I don't know the answers, but perhaps Commissioner Comander has more information, or some of the contact people given in the message. I am sending $$ and food and spreading the word. We all do what we feel called to do and able to do, eh?

Also, I know that some of the folks involved with this are CVHN leadership, and are in close touch with the needs of many children and families through Bay-Walton-Okaloosa. They are a wise group and their involvement gives me a strong sense that this is appropriate for me to be involved in.

 

[KSVAJ]

Thank you Susan for posting the e-mail message. To be brief, a group of us have been in contact with local organizations and non-profits to assist wiht the needs of the Muscogee people. Since last week we have received a great response, and have facilitated the donation of food, checks, clothing, etc.
our group met with the Council Chairperson yesterday, and found out that a temporary building has been donated to serve as a Food Bank; this should be delivered by the end of the week, and we are working to get volunteers to go and help set it up.
Meanwhile Ann and Elaine (the Pastor at the Methodist Church in Bruce) have been paying out of their own pockets for truckloads of surplus discounted food.
Yes, many of these people are probably eligible for food stamps etc., so we are also working on getting volunteers to assist with applications, etc. In the meantime we feel that community support is the fastest way to put a Band-Aid on the problem. From there we are working on long term solutions, such as getting a community vegetable garden started, and perhaps incorporating livestock. Jobs & transportation are needed long term, for these families to sustain themselves. Also, working with government resources to assist them in passing the Bill that would grant their tribe Federal recognition is in action, but this takes time. If they were Federally recognized, they would be eligible for grant monies to assist with thier most basic needs. There's quite a history there regarding why it hasn't happened yet....it's really a remarkable story.
There are "dwellings" on the Muscogee grounds that none of us would ever consider actual "homes"; abandonned trailers, tents, shacks, etc., with no running water or power. Ann took a reporter into the darker corners of the land to show how great the need really is...
This morning at 7:30, Ann Tucker was notified of a child who had a fibral seizure, and stoped breathing. The parents needed gas money to get the child to Pensacola, after a visit the the ER in PCB.
Our mission is to assist however we can. If you would like to help, let me know: Kate@BeachtoBayou.com.
And too all those who have helped thus far, many many heartfelt thanks!

 

[ItzKatzTime]

Thanks so much Susan for this thread. There are no boundary lines for helping another human being or animal and it is especially helpful to get information when there is a need.

Some keep their plight to themselves so it means taking the blinders off to see the needs. Others give little hints so we need to keep our ears open and then there are the times when we know of those in need and just have to share. Thank you again for sharing Susan and Kate.

I pray there are many in good situations so they can help and I pray for those who need help.......if you can please let someone know.

 

[jamie]

I just got off the phone with Susan Breeden & was told that Premier Property Group has offered to be a donation location...they have one office in Watercolor on the northwest corner of the four-way stop....across the street (west) of where Hot & Cold used to be. Also, there is a location in in Seacrest Beach...not exactly sure where. They are planning on taking a load up Friday. Hope this helps!

 

[KSVAJ]

Muscogee Tribe Needs our Help

I just got off the phone with Susan Breeden & was told that Premier Property Group has offered to be a donation location...they have one office in Watercolor on the northwest corner of the four-way stop....across the street (west) of where Hot & Cold used to be. Also, there is a location in in Seacrest Beach...not exactly sure where. They are planning on taking a load up Friday. Hope this helps!

Thank you Jamie-
Yes, The PPG (Premiere Property Group) are receiving donations of food goods (primarily) at both of their offices. The Seacrest Beach office is on the Circle at the Village of South Walton, where the new Mexican restaurant is located (just a few doors down).
People have also been asking about donating clothing & children's toys, school supplies, etc. Right now food is the priority, but we will gratefully accept other items. Once the donated food bank building is set up on-site (on the Reservation in Bruce) we'll have a better system for donated goods. Meanwhile, thank you Keith Flippo & The PPG for helping us collect the much needed food!