Welcoming Immigrants

Welcome to Johnson County Jackie and Isaac!

We are an open and caring County. You join an area with rich history of welcoming immigrants and celebrating diversity.

https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/migrant-caravan-honduras-iowa-city-asylum-seekers-tijuana-20181227

Volunteers needed and you get paid!

Compensation Commission Vacancies

Johnson County, Iowa — The Johnson County Board of Supervisors announces 12 vacancies on the Johnson County Compensation Commission for one-year terms beginning immediately appointment and expiring Dec. 31, 2019.

Members of the Compensation Commission are selected by the chief judge of the judicial district to serve during condemnation proceedings in Johnson County. Commissioners are compensated $200 per hearing for which they are chosen and serve. Duties include assessment of damage to all property taken by an acquiring agency and located in the county. No member of the Compensation Commission selected shall possess any interest in the proceeding which would cause such person to render a biased decision.

For more information and to apply, please visit our county website at:

https://www.johnson-county.com/dept_jobs.aspx?id=79480

Adopt-A-Road Program

Johnson County has an adopt a road program. This program currently has eight groups participating. We are very grateful to those eight groups. With over 500 miles of road, there is plenty of room for more volunteers to help keep the roadways free of litter.

Here is some additional information from the County website:

>>The Adopt-A-Roadway Program allows groups or individuals to adopt a specific section of a County road. Through this adoption they may assume responsibility for any or all of the eligible items listed below. The available activities have the potential to:

Reduce litter along Johnson County's roadways

Enhance the environmental quality and beauty of our roadsides

Build broad-based community support for anti-litter and Iowa beautification programs>>

You can learn more here:

https://www.johnson-county.com/dept_sec_roads.aspx?id=8555

I would appreciate your vote!

I would appreciate one of your two votes for Johnson County Supervisor.

I care:

- about social justice and civil rights
- about people living in poverty, about the hungry, the lack of affordable housing and health and mental health care for all.
- about climate change, clean water and clean air.
- recreation, trails and conservation.
- good roads, bridges, buses and trains, but also alternative and newly emerging transportation options.

I believe:

- County Government has a role to play in making Johnson County more caring, more welcoming and more livable for all of us.
-goverment should be transparent and open.
- budgets should be responsible and balanced.

I will stand with and fight for:

- people being targeted and marginalized.
- civil and human rights.
- for the LGBTQ community.
- for immigrants.
- for human compassion.
- for people with disabilities.
- for people living in poverty.
- for safety from violence.
- for collective bargaining.
- for the environment.

I'm a proven, liberal, innovative, leader and I would greatly appreciate your vote.

Thank you Veterans

Johnson County Veterans Affairs put on another great event at Kinnick on Saturday honoring Veterans. Thanks to all the sponsors, County staff and volunteers that made it possible. Gary Boseneiler is a caring and innovative Veterans Affairs Director.

Congratulations to CWJ

Congratulations to the Center for Worker Justice on their new offices and community space on 1st Ave (behind the Ave Club). They had their open house today and started out strong with 3rd year law students volunteering to help immigrants with their legal needs.

It is an honor to work with CWJ on so many issues from raising minimum wage and Community ID to wage theft and supporting immigrants.

My favorite line from the musical Hamilton is, "immigrants, we get the job done." I think that could be written about the founders and members of CWJ. I am inspired by their determination and activism.

Rettig endorsed by labor

I'm very thankful for the support of organized labor for my re-election. Collective bargaining helps secure safe workplaces, build the middle class and improve productivity.

I have been endorsed by eight labor bodies:

Iowa City Federation of Labor

AFSCME Council 61

Carpenter's Local 1260

Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Building Trades Council

Hawkeye Labor Council AFL-CIO

IBEW Local 405

Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council

Teamster's Local 238

Thinking about Kurt Friese, Kim and all of the Friese family.

Robin and I have known Kurt and Kim Friese  since they first opened Devotay. At the time, we owned a store down the street from the restaurant. The whole neighborhood came together and formed a business association called the Northside Martkeplace.

Kurt would often show his love for people and for organizations he cared about by cooking for them. Potlucks in the Board office were fun with Kurt around. Less than two weeks ago he cooked BBQ for all the Democrats and Presidential candidates. When I told him how good the BBQ was he said he loved doing it and wanted to make it an annual tradition.

Kurt and I shared a love of cycling and the Cubs. Every day he would keep me up to date on when pitchers and catchers report and what Cubs had done what. He had an app that had a countdown to the second on when spring training would start.

Kurt was smart and he was engaged in local, national and world issues. I never knew him to ever hear of a topic he didn't want to know more about. He researched everything and would often tell me about world happenings. Kurt cared about issues, but he cared about people more. He always wanted to help people. He was passionate about local foods, LGBTQ civil rights, cycling, conservation, mental health and so much more.

Kurt was the Captain of the County NAMI Walk team and he was working on a plan to have every Johnson County employee go through mental health first aid training. He said that knowing what others go through and how to respond would help every employee.

Kurt loved his wife and children with every soul of his being. He would show me pictures, tell me about Kim's travels for work and tell me about his children. I'm so very sorry for Kim and the kids. He also loved this really cute dog named Archie. I always loved when Archie stopped by the office. I can't even imagine what they are going through.

I know Kurt's family and friends local and across the country will be telling lots of great stories about Kurt. I'll just say, he was always kind to me and everyone I saw him with, he was passionate, he was an activist, he was thoughtful and smart. The County is devastated and in shock. We are going, I am going, to miss Kurt Friese. Please hold Kurt and his family in your light and know life is fragile. Please love deeply, care deeply, tomorrow is not guaranteed for any of us.

Free Medical Clinic: Raise the Roof

The Free Medical Clinic needs a new roof. Robin and I know what it is like to have bad health insurance with high deductibles and pre-existing condition riders, so we have always been supportive of the Free Medical Clinic. Free Med is now in its 47th year and a lot has changed since the hippie days. Now more and more clients are the working poor with chronic illness and no other access to affordable health and dental care. It would be great to have a country where health, mental health and dental care were equally accessible to all, but that is not where we are right now. Free Med needs us. You can help them get a new roof for $20, $20 will buy a new shingle. Let's raise the roof.

It is always a good night when we get to listen to Two Bit Maniac and Home Brewed. These bands are always helping charities and we love their music and spirit.

You can donate here:

www.freemedicalclinic.org

Gazette Interview

An interview with the Gazette...

https://www.thegazette.com/…/johnson-county-board-of-superv…

THEGAZETTE.COM

Janelle Rettig, candidate for Johnson County Board of Supervisors

Name: Janelle Rettig (incumbent)

Johnson County Hunger Summit Follow Up

There have been a lot of neat and much needed things happen since the County hosted the Hunger Summit. This is one of them:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2138794959504577&id=260857343965024

Field to Family added 3 new photos.

Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition survey

Thank you to the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition for surveying the candidates for Johnson County Supervisor.

#electionsmatter

http://www.jcaffordablehousing.org/candidate-responses

League of Woman Voter's Forum: Sanctuary county question

During the Johnson County Board of Supervisors candidates forum last week there were a number of interesting exchanges. Things like CAFOs and gender identity surgery and treatment are well worth listening.

I would like to draw attention to one question in particular: Do you support Johnson County being a sanctuary county?

Please feel free to share this link and the transcript or tag people that might be interested.

#electionsmatter

Minute 33:38

Do you support Johnson County being a sanctuary county?

Pat Heiden: I do support the stance that the county has taken as far as embracing the immigrant population and will also not be involved in voluntary detaining of immigrant or any type of raids that may take place in the county. It is incumbent upon us to really reach out in partnership with our immigrant communities and support them in any way we can. So if that means supporting a sanctuary city, then you bet it does.

Phil Hemmingway: I support immigrants. My wife is a first generation immigrant. My mother-in-law is here legally and has her citizenship. My brother-in-law, Danny, went through the legal process to become a citizen. It took him seven years, and he’s a doctor, to get in here legally. So this is a national issue that has to be addressed. I know first-hand what it is like to be working in a foreign country. This is my Social Security card from Belize. This is my driver’s license, unfortunately, it has expired. This is my Permanent Resident card which I obtained which allows me the ability to work there. So it is important that we follow the rule of law, but still we be welcoming to immigrants in our community.

Janelle Rettig: I don’t believe human beings are illegal no matter what. I believe human beings are human beings, and that immigration has made this a great country. Everyone in this country, forever, immigrated from somewhere. So I believe that the war on immigrants is shameful and I am not interested in being a county that participates in that. The county is not a sanctuary county. There’s actually not a definition of sanctuary county or city. You’re only a sanctuary county if you say you’re a sanctuary county. What we said is that we would not illegally detain people on an ICE request. And I say illegally because you are taking away their civil liberties. If someone is arrested for public intox or some other reason or is brought to the jail for a misdemeanor, holding them beyond the time we normally would should be illegal in this country and has been illegal by court rulings. I fully support the county not allowing our employees to participate with the ICE and not detaining people longer than they need to for whatever they were arrested for.

https://www.facebook.com/201879713216037/videos/697152980641498/

-1:33:32

The rain needs to stop

I'm starting to get very concerned about flooding. The Corps of Engineers needs to release more water from the dam at the Coralville Res. It really shouldn't take a public relations campaign for them to do so. The Res will have raised about 20 feet in a week projected (before the last stroms) to get to 701, which is just 11 feet below the spillway.  I spent some of the Labor Day weekend last night studying river gauges and in/out flows. This is what a Supervisor does when everyone else in the house goes to sleep.

The rain needs to stop.

We need to stop building in floodplains

I'm a long-time supporter of jail alternatives and crisis intervention training and programming. In meeting after meeting, I have been supportive of additional funding for jail alternatives and crisis intervention. I supported buying a building over two years ago for crisis intervention and I would have had already had it opened there or in other buildings with a sobering unit, crisis stabilization, mobile crisis and low barrier shelter.

In the end the current proposal is to buy more land than necessary, build a brand new building and do all that in the floodplain. I vowed long ago (in the aftermath of the 1993 and even more so the 2008 flood) that government should stop building on land that floods. I also think individuals should stop building in floodways, but that is another story. We do not learn our lessons. With climate change, the Iowa River will have a monster flood again and it will be worse than ever. They will tell you this problem can be fixed with fill dirt. I happen to think filling in what should be wetlands is part of the problem with our state. We must restore flood plains and let the rivers flood. We shouldn't be increasing fill in floodplains.

We should lead by not allowing more fill in the floodplains and by not putting vital programs on flood land. Unless someone finds a fix for climate change and monster storms, this land and any expensive new buildings will flood someday.

I voted no twice to buy this flood land and will do so again on final vote. I very much believe the County should be a major funder of crisis intervention programming, but I do think the building can be done more affordably, quicker and out of floodplains. I want to invest in programming for this new program, not expensive new buildings that will flood. This land is a bad and expensive deal all the way around.

Photos are from the 2008 flood:

Johnson County Minimum Wage is $10.27

Latest Johnson County minimum wage increase to take effect July 1


Johnson County, Iowa – The Johnson County Board of Supervisors reminds employers and employees that the fourth increase in Johnson County’s recommended minimum wage will take effect Sunday, July 1, 2018. The rate will increase to $10.27 per hour.

Though the wage increase is symbolic in nature and unenforceable under State law, the Supervisors approved the increase to remain in line with their vote in September 2015 to begin phased increases.

Additionally, the Board of Supervisors has created a multi-year, multi-step process to increase the base wage rate for all County employees, including part-time, seasonal and temporary employees, and interns. The base wage has been set at $14 an hour for fiscal year 2019, which begins July 1, 2018, and will increase to $15 an hour in FY2020

The State of Iowa’s minimum wage was increased to $7.25 per hour in 2008, ahead of the Federal increase to $7.25 in 2009, but has remained at $7.25 and is not indexed for inflation.On Sept. 10, 2015, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance (#09-10-15-01) establishing a Johnson County minimum wage. According to that ordinance, the minimum wage in Johnson County was raised in three steps – to $8.20 per hour on Nov. 1, 2015, to $9.15 per hour on May 1, 2016, and to $10.10 per hour on Jan. 1, 2017.

On March 30, 2017, Governor Terry Branstad signed legislation eliminating the ability of jurisdictions within the State of Iowa to set a minimum wage above the State minimum wage. Johnson County had a higher minimum wage than the State for 17 months, including three months when it was $10.10 per hour.

In December 2017, the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee, which was composed of members of the public and residents of Johnson County, presented the findings of the report, “Jobs and wages in Johnson County before and after the minimum wage increase,” at a Board of Supervisors’ Informal Meeting. The Committee found that the minimum wage increase did not appear to hurt businesses, which was a suggested possible negative consequence. Additionally, the wage increase benefited low-wage workers, who saw a larger increase in their average weekly earnings.

More information on the minimum wage ordinance is available at www.johnson-county.com/wage.

Questions about the ordinance may be directed to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors at 319-356-6000 or sups@co.johnson.ia.us.

-END-

New CAFO in Johnson County

I'm being contacted about a new 2,499 hog unit confinement going up SW of Iowa City. It is near a subdivision. This is one animal unit under the state Master Matrix, not that the master matrix is worth much. That means the smallest bit of local review of the project is not allowed.

If you want more attention paid to water and air quality, than how many animals can be confined in CAFOs, then please get out and question candidates and vote.

Johnson County's only true ability to control the location of CAFOs is by limiting them to state defined agriculture exempt farms. When you see people arguing that Johnson County should make small acres "Ag Exempt" it sounds good until you find out how many people want to put CAFOs on small parcels of land. Every issue has pros and cons. This one could have a lot of unintended consequences.

I believe in local control. I also believe Iowa has way too many CAFOs. I also believe Iowans think Iowa has too many CAFOs. Let's vote only for candidates that agree.

#waterquality
#electionsmatter

Hunger in Johnson County is Rising

I attended the Hunger Banquet Thursday night benefiting the Crisis Center. This is a fundraiser where one is assigned an economic status and that household income is divided up to what you are able to afford for dinner. We were served everything from nothing to lobster and steak.

9% of us have a household income of $15,000-24,999. That group was served ramen noodles.

9% are $25,000-34,999. They were served a salad.

28% are $35,000-74,999. They were served a hamburger and fries and no greens.

33% are $75,000-199,999. They were served a salad, chicken and gravy and vegetables.

6% are $200,000 and up. They were served salad, vegetables, lobster and steak.

And in Johnson County 14% of us are food insecure and have no idea where their next meals will come from. They were served nothing and had to rely on their tablemates for food.

Over 19,000 Johnson County residents are food insecure. That's a bit less than the size of Coralville. That includes 4,000 children. That is about four of our elementary schools full of children without enough food, let alone healthy food.

The Crisis Center serves over 1,000 families a week and distributes 1.6 million pounds of food. The Crisis Center also does mobile pantries and school based pantries. They do emergency assists of cash for rent, utilities, etc. They do vouchers and cash for clothing, fuel, tools, boots and more to help people get started to work.

As some of us are grieving celebrities that have committed sucide in recent days, remember the Crisis Center is there for all kinds of crises. The Crisis Line, Crisis Chat, education and mobile crisis are important to our community. Mental health crisis does not discriminate on the basis of wealth and Crisis Center is there for all.

Last night they showed some very moving videos featuring the words of past clients. There were many tears in the room and acknowledgements that most of us had moments in our life or still do that one lost paycheck could put us there.

I was tired and distracted when I rushed into the event. I carried only my phone, keys and sunglasses. After hearing all this and knowing how important Crisis Center is to our area, I wanted to dig deeper in that moment. Without a wallet, credit card or checkbook, I was just going to leave. Then I remembered, I usually have emergency money in my phone case. I counted it and found $35. I recalled that the Crisis Center can turn a  $1 contribution into 4 pounds of food. I decided they needed 140 pounds of food more than I needed that emergency money.

I always love giving to the Crisis Center. They can make humanity better for our neighbors with $5 or $500. Everything helps.

https://www.jccrisiscenter.org/

Some thoughts about the Primary Election

Some thoughts about the Primary Election:

Thank you to Mike Carberry for his service to the people of Johnson County. The County has worked on a number of very exciting progressive projects and initiatives the past few years and Mike was a part of these accomplishments.

Congratulations to Pat Heiden. Pat has been running for Supervisor for several years and has established herself as a good team builder and big fundraiser. It is difficult to take on incumbents and her team worked very hard. Let's take that energy and turn out a record Democratic vote in November.

Mostly I thank Mike and Pat for a hard fought, but cordial campaign. The four forums were about issues and not personal and I appreciate the lack of drama and attacks. Mike and Pat had many wonderful campaign volunteers and supporters and I thank all of them for being so active and engaged.

I wouldn't be here without the support of my spouse, Robin Butler, and my mother, Linda Rettig. They hit over 4,100 doors and worked so hard at events. They never signed up or had the bug for politics or public office, but they have always helped me with my passion.

I thank all of my supporters and organized labor for believing in me and trusting me. I am overwhelmed by all the kindness I have received in the recent weeks.

To our dog, CJ. Thank you for putting up with us. Your #Dogs4Rettig spreading into every animal and kid 4 Rettig clearly made the difference. We promise to throw more balls and frisbees to make up for lost time.

Thanks to the Auditor Travis Weipert, his staff and all the election workers. I don't know how they pulled off an unprecedented election turnout without trouble, but thank you all.

I'm missing my Father, Robin's Mom and her Father tonight. I know they would have loved tonight. May they rest in peace.

Congratulations to everyone that ran for office in this Primary. It isn't easy to put yourself out there and run. If this wasn't your day, please don't go away. We need you and there will likely be other seats that need you.

"You won the Democratic Primary, Janelle, so now what are you going to do?" I'm not going to Disney World....I'm going to the World Series of Poker and play Event #21. Wish me good cards and the ability to stay awake.

Thank you all. I know we can make Johnson County a even more caring and wonderful place to live, work and play. We all need to rest and then get ready for a huge, liberal progressive victory in November. It won't be easy, but Iowa, the United States and actually the world need us.

#united for a #bluewave  because #electionsmatter

The polls are now open

I'm
Proven
Liberal
Innovative
Democrat

I'm also
A feminist
Lesbian
Environmentalist
Bicyclist

I'm all about
Research
Thoughtfulness
Accountability
Transparency
Fiscal Responsibility

Johnson County, I would appreciate one of your up to two votes today for Johnson County Supervisor.

The polls are open until 9 pm.

I will be at Shakespeare's on 1st Ave, Iowa City starting at 8 pm. Please join #TeamTeal for some socializing.

You can find sample ballots and polling locations here:

http://www.johnson-county.com/dept_auditor_elections.aspx?id=23427

Tuesday is Primary Day- Please Vote for Me

The polls are open Tuesday in Iowa from 7 am - 9 pm.

Some Johnson County polling places have moved around. Please check your polling place and go vote.

I would greatly appreciate your one of your up to two votes for Johnson County Supervisor.

http://www.johnson-county.com/dept_auditor_elections.aspx?id=23427

Janelle Rettig Has One of My Votes

Janelle Rettig Has One of My Votes

I plan to vote for Janelle Rettig for Johnson County Supervisor, and I hope you will cast one of your two votes for Rettig.

These are my reasons: She is a fiscal conservative. Shortly after being elected supervisor she successfully advocated for establishing a Finance Department.  Working with the other supervisors and elected officials, she has helped Johnson County be in a fiscally sound position.

Rettig is a progressive liberal. She has helped lead on addressing human needs through support for the minimum wage, the community ID, human rights, affordable housing, solar, trails, the emergency management center, alternatives to jail and funding for human services. She was co-chair of the committee to win county approval of funding for the county Conservation Board, which will benefit residents for centuries to come.

And one of her unique attributes is she understands and practices the democratic progress. This was clearly demonstrated in her objection to the process recently used by the supervisors in the development and adoption of the County Strategic Plan. She studies the issues, she listens to the appointed boards and committees, and she seeks innovative solutions.

I have observed the operation of the supervisors for over 50 years. I believe it is important that Janelle Rettig be re-elected so she can continue to help move Johnson County forth as a livable and welcoming community for all persons.

— Bob Welsh, Iowa City

Iowa City Press-Citizen: Rettig has one of my votes

https://icp-c.com/2JaSIF7

Early Voting Today at Auditor's Office

You can vote today.

You have up to two votes for Johnson County Supervisor. I would really appreciate one of them.

June 4  (Monday)
Johnson County Auditor’s Office
7:45am – 5:30pm

June 5 (Tuesday) Election Day!
Voting at your regular polling place 7:00am – 9:00pm

More election information can be found here:

http://www.johnson-county.com/dept_auditor_elections.aspx?id=23427

Johnson County: Rally to Re-Elect the Rebel for Our Cause

Johnson County: Rally to Re-Elect the Rebel for Our Cause

              Early voting has begun in Iowa as of May 7^th and it has been said that all politics is local.  Well, Johnson County, that has never been more true than in 2018, this the year of the blue wave.  In anticipation of disenchantment & a swell of political momentum from Iowa Democrats, Johnson County is squarely in the crosshairs of Republican legislative targeting.  For this reason, I urge the rest of the county to rally around our Rebel Rettig!  Return her to our Board of Supervisors where she can continue to do what she has done so well for the past eight years…

              -Fight for a minimum wage to be increased to a livable wage

              -Develop & explore new opportunities for affordable housing

              -Make funding for mental health & disability a high priority!

              Janelle is committed to the hard work & the people who do it!  So, with so much on the line, the choice is clear.  I’ve made it & I know you can too.  In Johnson County we need to re-elect Janelle Rettig to hold the line on our Board of Supervisors.

Anthony Currin

Proud Teamster, Strong Democratic Activist and Party Member

P-C backs Weiner, Rettig, Carberry in primary

P-C backs Weiner, Rettig, Carberry in primary

Johnson County Board of Supervisors

In the race for county supervisor, our vote for one candidate is a no-brainer:
Janelle Rettig deserves another term on the board.

Rettig is sharp, thoughtful, budget-minded, and she is acutely aware of the needs of all all Johnson County residents, urban and rural. She brings a different perspective to the board, admitting that she sometimes will play "devil's advocate" for the sake of questioning and exploring all sides of an issue.

Rettig is passionate about addressing the growing issue of poverty and food insecurity in Johnson County. It’s something people don’t see, she says, and it’s something we can’t ignore. She wants to make headway on affordable housing by finding ways to work with city governments to find solutions.She sees potential in a regional transit authority to address transportation issues and needed access to services.

She also knows the importance of establishing a future jail alternatives center in the county — something she wants to help see through to fruition as a board member.

Iowa City Press-Citizen: P-C backs Weiner, Rettig, Carberry in primary

https://icp-c.com/2LSY6yd

Rettig and Carberry stand for inclusiveness

Rettig and Carberry stand for inclusiveness

We want to express our strong support for the re-election of Mike Carberry and Janelle Rettig to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. They have stood up for the kind of inclusive community we want Iowa City and Johnson County to be. Their support for a living wage, for the protection of the environment, for the unqualified defense of the fundamental rights of our immigrant neighbors, and their willingness to challenge a state government that has sought to pre-empt the right of local governments to express the will of their citizens are initiatives that have made this county and this city a beacon of hope.  They have shown courage.  They have not equivocated.  They represent the kind of progressive spirit our community continues to need in these challenging times.

— Shel and Ann Stromquist, Iowa City

Iowa City Press-Citizen: Rettig and Carberry stand for inclusiveness

https://icp-c.com/2xIYahl

Janelle Rettig is Good for Johnson County

Janelle Rettig is Good for Johnson County 

I urge voters to re-elect Janelle Rettig to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors.  She has proven by her votes and actions that she is dedicated to the best quality of life for everyone.  From supporting a minimum wage that reflects worker's actual needs to working to improve the infrastructure so important for everyone from farmers to campers she has made Johnson County an attraction for families, students and business.  An impressive achievement, especially when the county has a balanced budget with a healthy reserve!

Please vote early for Janelle on June 5.

— Maureen C. Donnelly, Iowa City

Iowa City Press-Citizen: Janelle Rettig for Johnson County

https://icp-c.com/2Jd06zU

JC Dems Volunteer at Free Lunch

It is always a good week when the Johnson County Democrats are volunteering at the Free Lunch Program.  The JC Dems cook and serve a good nutritious meal every other month on the first Friday. They have been doing this volunteer work for a number of years. They pass the hat at Central Committee meetings in order to buy chicken and other supplies. It costs about $200 and we serve up to 140-150 people.

There are two shifts of workers and it is always a good time. We solve a lot of world and political problems while cooking and cleaning. Today some of the regulars where away, so other regulars learned new skills and new volunteers stepped up. My Mom was in town and we put her to work at Free Lunch before she spent the afternoon doorknocking for me.

Kitchens can make me nervous because I am not the best cook, but there is always work for every skill set. My job is getting the dining and serving areas ready and starting the dishes. I like to work the 9:30 - 11:30 pre-lunch shift.

The Free Lunch program is a very important program as many people in need rely on this meal for their main food of the day. Free Lunch relies on a different volunteer group each day six days a week.

Free Lunch is located in The 1105 Project at 1105 S. Gilbert Court. One of my top things I am most proud of as a Supervisor was the selling of this building to the Crisis Center for $1. The 1105 Project is an example of the collaboration and success that can come from the County, Cities, non-profit agencies, United Way, the Community Foundation and a bunch of donors all working together for common goals and needs.