Blog, Child Hunger
IFFS Administration
That's a Wrap! Back to School Campaign Exceeds ...

Because of you, more children will start the school day ready to learn, without the pang of hunger as a distraction. Our Back-to-School campaign reminds us that along with pencils and paper, children need a daily supply of food to take on new concepts, run on playgrounds, and socialize more successfully.

That's a Wrap! Back to School Campaign Exceeds Match, Fills Shelves and Backpacks
IFFS Administration
NEW: Food Shuttle Academy is LIVE! Check Out ...

Our Community Health and Agriculture Education teams have collaborated to develop the new Food Shuttle Academy, an online learning platform with free, self-paced lessons on health, nutrition, agriculture, and more!

NEW: Food Shuttle Academy is LIVE! Check Out this FREE Online Learning Resource!
IFFS Administration
Food Shuttle Donors Crunch Spring Match ...

Our Spring Match challenge, made possible by generous funders, including SOLV Energy and the Mead Family Foundation, exceeded the $105,000 goal, raising an additional $70,000 to erase hunger!

Food Shuttle Donors Crunch Spring Match Challenge (And Then Some)!
IFFS Administration
The Support from Love, Tito's to Create Garden ...

Love, Tito’s has a heart for community gardens and increasing access to fresh, healthy foods. Their philanthropic Love, Tito’s Block to Block program, reconnects neighborhoods and creates community gardens and farms throughout the United States. Our hearts are in full bloom knowing that our Camden Street Garden will be the next beneficiary of Block to Block, allowing neighbors with mobility challenges to access our many activities more easily.

The Support from Love, Tito's to Create Garden Accessibility for All
IFFS Administration
Summer Brings Exciting Volunteer Opportunities ...

Gardening is an incredible way to spend a summer day. These opportunities will allow you to have fun while also helping others!

Summer Brings Exciting Volunteer Opportunities at the Food Shuttle

Flu

It's that time of year again-- flu season!

by Sarah Paxson We're already in the thick of it here in Raleigh.  The News & Observer reports that WakeMed has been particularly hard hit by the outbreak, which surprised health officials not only because of its intensity but because it arrived two months ahead of schedule. The health system’s six emergency rooms in Wake County have logged more than 1,400 cases of influenza or flu-like symptoms, compared to just 59 for the same time last year.  And America's doctors agree—it's a nasty flu season—one of the worst in years.  Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the flu is elevated across the country, with 24 states reporting high rates of doctor's visits by people trying to get some relief from the virus.

The 2013 flu season is serious.  Here's what you need to know:

  1. "We're not over the hump yet," says William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease expert with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "Basically, we're in the middle of it."  The flu season began unseasonably early this year, but don't expect to to make a much-hoped-for early exit.  Areas in the South are still seeing a steady rate of hospitalizations.
  2. There are many different viruses going around this season, some of which can easily be mistaken for the flu.  Remember: the flu attacks the entire body, with body aches and respiratory symptoms.  How do you know if it's the flu or something else?  Check out this article on Rodale about Surviving the Worst Flu Season in Years for tips.
  3. Boost your immune system, with Vitamin D, Vitamin C, whole foods (avoiding processed foods when possible), and plenty of exercise.
  4. Know when to contact your doctor.  If your doctor IDs the flu within the first day or two, he or she may be able to prescribe an antiviral drug that can shorten the duration of the infection and reduce the risk of complications. That said, Dr. Schaffner says you should always see a doctor if your symptoms include a very high temperature, coughing up sputum, or difficulty breathing, or if a baby or young child becomes extremely lethargic. Doctors can then test for complications including pneumonia.