Ricker’s signs on for Apple Fest

Apple Fest is just one month away! So, mark your calendar now to join us on Monument Circle on Thursday, October 7 from 10am-3pm. Applebee’s is donating freshly-grilled sandwiches, GFS Marketplace is donating warm apple cobbler, Adrian Orchards is bringing fresh-picked apples and we’re thrilled to share that  and soft drinks will be provided by Ricker’s Stores.

We’re looking forward to pulling their Ricker Pop trailer onto the Circle and offering your choice of soft drinks to accompany your lunch. In case you’re not familiar, Ricker’s Stores are the convenience stores at BP gas stations across Central Indiana. Here in Marion County, those convenience stores are branded “am/pm”. Ah, now there’s the connection you were looking for!

Anyway, the Ricker family is a faithful supporter of The Salvation Army, most recently providing the soft drinks for our Eat Outside the Box event back in May. Ricker’s is a community-focused, family-owned business that’s stepping up and helping us spread the word about our programs that help homeless and abused women and kids make a fresh start.

If you’d like to join us as a presenting or a booth sponsor, just give Kristen a call at 224-1019. Sponsorships start at just $50 and we’re expecting over 1,000 people to attend this year’s Apple Fest. Look for our Apple Fest ad in the next Reach Magazine and listen for our promotions starting soon on the Emmis family of stations – WIBC 93, B105, Hank 97 and ESPN 1070.

Bringin’ the apples to Apple Fest

Adrian Orchards is all fired up to share their amazing apples and cider with everyone at Apple Fest on October 7th. We’re thrilled to invite them back and spread the word about a local business with a heart for giving back to the community.

So, mark your calendar now to join us for Apple Fest on Monument Circle on Thursday, October 7 from 10am-3pm. Applebee’s is donating freshly-grilled sandwiches and chips so all proceeds from lunch will benefit programs for homeless and abused women and children. And bring a few extra bucks for some apples, because they’re seriously good!

Got a business or organization you’re looking to promote – how ’bout a booth at Apple Fest? Just $50 to reach about 1,000 lunchgoers with your message. Call Kristen at 224-1019 to learn more.

Indy homeless students up by 26%, Salvation Army offers help

Today’s Indy Star reports that IPS has seen a 26% increase in the homeless students. The article is pretty sobering – Indiana is tied for 27th in the nation for homeless enrollment – nearly 10,000 students.

Our state has certainly felt the brunt of the economic downturn. And the trend continues in 2010 as unemployment hovers in the 10 percent range. About 43 percent of homeless schoolchildren in IPS are in kindergarten through third grade! These kids have difficulties concentrating, not knowing where they’ll sleep or where dinner will come from. In fact, these students are suspended from school at a rate of about twice the state average!

But thanks to our supporters, The Salvation Army’s Women’s and Children’s Shelter* can offer these kids some stability. Kids who stay in our shelter can count on healthy meals, warm beds and even homework help from our partners at Indy School on Wheels. The shelter isn’t a permanent solution – our counselors work with moms to get help with life skills, school or job placement and all the other resources they will need to break the cycle of joblessness, domestic violence and homelessness.

You can help us continue to provide these services to our littlest neighbors in need through the Homelessness Bites campaign. Find out how to get and fill a Bite Back box, donate online, sign up for our mobile VIP list or mark your calendar now for Apple Fest this October. For 1,500 kids in Indianapolis, homelessness bites. Bite back!

*nearly 1,100 women & children have been cared for in our shelter in 2010. Of the 204 who came to us in June, 76 were kids.

TKO’s Randy Clark reflects on serving at shelter

“We’re very fortunate, aren’t we?”

Ever feel that way? Well, after spending just a few hours at our Women’s and Children’s Shelter, Randy Clark does. You see, Randy came down to the Shelter on Sunday to help serve tacos with the guys from West Coast Tacos. Randy’s company, TKO Graphix, helped the WCT guys get started here in Indy by doing the art for their taco truck. When they heard about their plans to serve at the shelter, TKO took up a collection to help WCT cover their costs associated with serving.

Randy and Nancy (and their spouses) came down to present the guys with that cash (about $300) and to give to others. They ended up receiving much more – turns out that happens quite often when you serve. I could tell you all about his experience, but it’s better to read it in his own words on his blog.

So, what motivates you to give? Why do you give to The Salvation Army? To learn more about how to ‘Bite Back’, visit HomelessnessBites.org or give Kristen a call at 224-1019.

West Coast Tacos serves at our shelter

Yesterday, after putting in a long night on the truck in Broad Ripple, the West Coast Tacos guys made their way downtown to serve dinner at our Women’s and Children’s Shelter. The guys, proudly wearing their Homelessness Bites tees, served up about 200 of their authentic LA-style tacos  to the ladies and children at our shelter as well as some folks who lined up in the alley.

We’d like to thank West Coast Tacos for “doing the most good” and giving of their time and tacos to make it a special night for families who’ve been through a lot. And we can’t forget the generosity of the folks at TKO Graphix (they’re the ones who logo’d up the taco guys’ truck) who presented a collection for the cause and will help make it possible for this kind of event to happen again in the future. Thanks, everyone!

We know you believe in our cause – to help our neighbors in need – and now you know that West Coast Tacos and TKO Graphix do, too. So, check them both out on facebook. Find out where the guys will be serving up tacos next and sample for yourself. You’ll be glad you did!

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