Conference Objectives

Educate

Exchange ideas

Share testimonies

Develop action plans

Create partnerships & support for local initiatives

Unite our efforts to create a hunger-free community

The Program

8:00 AM         Registration Opens   Donuts and Coffee

9:00 AM     Welcome and Announcements  with  Mary Blair Executive Director of Tri-State Food Bank, Inc.

9:15 to 10:15 AM      

Plowing through Challenges - Federal Issues Affecting Food Banks and Local Feeding Programs

Larry Ordner Regional Director for Senator Richard Lugar

10:15-10:30 AM Break & Door Prizes

10:30 to 11:30 AM

Garnishing Strength - Strategic Planning Matt Knott from Feeding America

11:30 AM to Noon

Harvesting Data- 2009 Hunger in America -Using data from the Hunger Study to be available in November 2009 with Mary Blair.

12:00-1:00 PM Lunch Buffet served by the Executive Inn

The Afternoon Sessions Provide Break-Away Workshops.

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

            Indiana USDA Training with Phyllis Lloyd

            Illinois USDA Training with Gerrah Caldwell

            Kentucky USDA Training and Contract renewal with Rick Betsworth.

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

            Growing Awareness - Hunger Action Month in September with John Hillenbrand and Kim Sievers.

            Yielding Outcomes - Measuring outcomes through monthly statistic reports with Lory Adcock.

2:00-2:15 PM Break & Door Prizes

2:15 to 3:00 - Civil Rights Training with John Hillenbrand

2:15 to 3:00 - Gathering Ideas • Open Microphone, Network Sharing,

                        Ideas and Testimonies. Panel discussion with Mary Blair.

2:15 to 3:00 - Growing Awareness -  Hunger Action Month in September with Kim Sievers.

2:15 to 3:00 -  Yielding Outcomes - Measuring outcomes through Monthly Statistic reports with Lory Adcock and Barb Tonkin.

2:15 to 3:00 - Food Resources with John Strain

3:00 PM    Final Door Prizes and Conference Adjourn

Keynote Speakers

Larry Ordner  - Regional Director for US Senator Richard Lugar

As Director of the Southern Indiana Region for U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar, Larry Ordner works a 24-county region stretching from the Wabash River to Indiana’s greater Cincinnati counties. The Southern Indiana office, which is located at the Denton Federal Bldg. in Evansville, is one the Senator’s four regional offices across Indiana. Larry is a native of Corydon, Indiana and an Indiana University alumnus. He is currently serving in his ninth year as a member of Senator Lugar’s staff, and he has visited Tri-State many times over the years and maintains a close working relationship. 

Matt Knott - VP Planning & Analysis for Feeding America

As Vice President of Planning & Analysis at Feeding America, formerly known as America’s Second Harvest, Matt is responsible for helping the organization and its affiliates plan for the future and measure impact.  Matt leads the development of the strategic plan, works with the Board of Directors to establish organizational outcomes, and evaluates performance against agreed upon goals.   Matt also provides technical assistance to member food banks in the areas of strategic planning and analytics. Prior to joining Feeding America, Matt spent 12 years at PepsiCo where he was most recently Vice President of Marketing for Gatorade.  His career with PepsiCo also  encompassed financial analysis and brand management roles, with responsibility for strategy formation, performance assessment, new product development, advertising and

innovation on other well known brands including Tropicana, Life Cereal, and Propel Fitness Water. Matt began his career with Arthur Andersen as a financial consultant, providing analysis and advice to public and private institutions in areas such as government contract consulting, litigation support, and financial recovery. He earned his undergraduate degree

in business from the University of Notre Dame and holds a Masters degree in Management from the Kellogg Graduate School at Northwestern University.

Workshop Facilitators

Gerrah L. Caldwell - Illinois USDA

Gerráh Caldwell graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Double BA in Communications and Spanish.  She has worked for the Illinois Department of Human Services since 2001.  She spent the first 6 ½ years developing and managing the Homeless Prevention Program, which provides short-term rent, mortgage, utility, and security deposit assistance to households at risk of homelessness.  She also spent one year managing "TEAM Illinois", a top-priority Governor’s initiative with a mission to pool and focus Illinois resources in communities that have been underserved and have a demonstrated need for improvements. She now serves as the Manager of the Emergency Food Program. What she is most honored about is the wonderful opportunity to partner with amazing social service organizations that spend each day working and volunteering to positively impact the lives of others.  Gerrah is a loving wife to her husband Darryl and mother of two young boys Trae age 5 and Trenton age 2 ½.  Gerráh considers herself a life learner, who relishes opportunities to learn and grow.

Rick Betsworth - Kentucky USDA

Rick has been employed by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Division of Food Distribution since December of 2003. He was the Branch Manager for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program. His prior experience includes a career in the United States Navy and managing physician practices

Phyllis Lloyd - Indiana USDA

Phyllis serves as Program Coordinator for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) at the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Phyllis works proactively to ensure that hungry Hoosiers are fed by ordering food, tracking inventory and coordinating distribution for both CSFP and TEFAP. Phyllis joined the Lt. Governor’s Family of Business in 2005 after working in the Child Support Division of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office for seven years. A lifelong resident of Indiana, Phyllis currently lives in Indianapolis. In her free time, she enjoys scrap booking, spending time with her son Jason and playing with her Boston Terrier named Tobey.

Networking Panel Facilitators

Mary Blair         Food Bank –Tri-State Food Bank

Scott Baker        Soup Kitchen/Shelter - Harrisburg Illinois

Jim Greenwell    Food Pantry - Evansville Indiana

Gregg Rose        Backpack Program - Owensboro Kentucky

Joe Ward            Pantry - Smithland Kentucky

Mary Blair - TSFB Executive Director

As the Director of Tri-State Food Bank, Mary realizes we have a long way to go to end hunger in the tri-state.  Goals of the Food Bank are to increase the quantity and quality of food to our network of agencies throughout the 33-county service area.  A recent study showed agencies need more than double the food they now receive through the food bank. Mary grew up in Indianapolis and moved to Evansville with her husband in 1973. They have a son and a daughter. 

John Hillenbrand - TSFB Assistant Director

Youth and Volunteer Programs Organizer John is the Assistant Director for the Tri-State Food Bank in Evansville, Indiana.  He joined the Food Bank in November 2003, with over 25 years experience in personnel development, and grantmanship.  John served in the U.S. Army and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He has his Bachelor of Science degree from Columbus University in Criminal Justice and resides in Newburgh, IN with his wife. 

Lory Adcock - Agency Relations /Tri-State Food Bank

Barbara Tonkin - USDA Coordinator /Tri-State Food Bank

John Strain - Warehouse Operations Manager /Tri-State Food Bank

Kim Sievers -Donor Relations /Tri-State Food Bank

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