Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Monday, November 17, 2008

YES WE CAN! Cheryl Jackson interviewed by Megan K. Scott Read the article below

Over the last year we heard  millions of people repeat the chant that President elect Barack Obama said in every state "Yes We Can"!  The chant was echoed in every state in the country. 

As President of Minnie's Food Pantry, I am pleased to announce our new campaign.  YES we CAN ( with cans of corn, meat, and fruit) end hunger in our country.  It begins with each one of us.  I challenge you to find a food bank in your community and donate at least one CAN of non-perishable food to their shelves.  The need is great but together we CAN and will make a difference.

  Please read the article by Megan Scott and in the words of Mother Teresa " If you can't feed 100 people, then feed just one." I'm smiling in the photo because Frito Lay and it's employees donated food to put on the shelves of Minnie's Pantry behind me.  That means  I can make it one more month! 060

Food banks brace for a long winter - MSNBC Wire Services- msnbc.com

Thursday, November 13, 2008

You get what you give! Thanks Frito Lay 23 baskets and all systems GO

I'm not sure where to begin this story. It started a few days ago when Laura called me to ask about Minnie's Food Pantry and if we needed help. I pictured the empty shelves at the pantry and I said YES! I HAD NO IDEA what would happen today.

The Frito Lay team came to the Pantry and where do I begin? They embraced my vision as though they had started the Giving Movement. They immediately broke into teams. You can't imagine what it felt like to have 25 of the most skilled, educated people in your organization offering help and advice. It was incredible.

Moments that I remember:
The F250 truck that tiny Heather had to park as she pulled up smiling and the team anxiously awaiting her arrival.

The hugs that I received from all of the muscle bound men of Frito Lay (smile)and how they didn't mind picking up and emptying boxes after boxes.

Laura- telling me to breathe -- don'tdo the ugly cry she said- just breathe and enjoy the moment (I will upload pictures later so you can determine if I was successful)

Pam- taking the bull by the horns and organizing teams that put together the thanksgiving dinners that we will be serving this Saturday at 1:00 and how her team came together and acheived every task that I sat before them ( AMAZING)

Annette- who kept pinching me to make sure I wasn't dreaming and for giving me a reason to want to do even more

Wyn- How ironic that a young student who thought of how to protect the integrity of our program was actually a Frito Lay employees son ( how proud he must be of him)

Gosh Suzanne- who is coming back to the pantry Saturday and is bringing teddy bears for all the children that we will serve - I AM SOOO PUMPED

I am also sleepy really I am sleep typing FYI--You know you are spending alot of money in the grocery store when they take your shoes and put them on top of the soda machine so you don't forget them.


What we do matters- and today Frito Lay ( Pam's team) Did something that will matter to over 5,000 people.

The Giving Movement -- Let's live it and breathe it

I will upload photos and video tomorrow I promise.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Dallas Rocks with Russell Simmons Charity Gala

This weekend was incredible! I had the opportunit to interview Stars that shine right in Dallas Texas. Not because they are on Dancing with the Stars but because they give and make peoples eyes light up. The one and only Russell Simmons brought Dallas Rocks to our city and the red carpet was filled with people to honor the one and only Magic Johnson for his life of philanthropy.

Emmitt and Pat Smith were the co-chairs and Pat Smith was radiant as ever. Ray Crockett and his wife also chaired the event. I never dreamed I would be sitting at the table with the most prominent stars in the world, but I was there. I read something by Pat Reinke that sums up the evening and I want to share it with you its called BOLDY BE-


Whatever it is in you to be, whatever you love is your fire.
Ignite it, Trust it; it is a gift born of your spirit.
Be it in words, dance, colors, or a song...
Have ABSOLUTE faith in what you have been given; chase it, no matter how elusive;
Be it...however challenging; PURSUE it without pause;
seek to .... BOLDLY BE watever is in your heart to BE.


I have always wanted to be a philanthropist and a reporter. I have no college education but I have a heart and a spirit to connect with people. Friday night, I decided to be a reporter and I was. I had the opportunity to look into the eyes of the worlds idea of a superstar and I experienced what it must BE like to donate millions of dollars to charities. One day, very soon, I will BE one of those kinds of philanthropist.

I challenge you today to BE what others believe you can not become.
Cheryl "Action" Jackson