October 2025 Meeting Minutes

October 20th LIFE5b Meeting

6:00pm at the Rialto Cafe in Villisca

Attendees: Jessa Bears, Shad Swanson, Laura Ferguson, Janine Johnson, Matt Johnson, Sheri Bowen (guest - Iowa RSVP)

Call to Order at 6:04 pm.

Approved last month’s meeting minutes.

Iowa RSVP Volunteer Coordinator Sheri Bowen

Sheri Bowen from the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) gave an overview of the program and what assistance RSVP could provide LIFE 5b. This program is a part of Iowa Health and Human Services. It is funded through Americorps. RSVP helps nonprofits connect with volunteers ages 55 and up to serve in their communities. Sheri is the volunteer coordinator for Mills, Fremont, Page, and Montgomery counties. RSVP could help recruit volunteers, offer training to volunteers, and reimburse mileage ($0.50 per mile). This program opportunity would last up to 3 years, and either party can terminate the agreement at any time.  

LIFE5b board members discussed that this could be an opportunity to keep in mind for next year, as most of our volunteer duties will be wrapping up in November/December. There could be some potential for board member recruitment. LIFE5b will reach out to Sheri Bowen if interested in moving forward next year.

Treasurer Report

J. Bears and S. Swanson reported that there has not been any success with finding a volunteer bookkeeper. S. Swanson picked up the last check of the year for the hospital box program. We think there will be enough funding until the end of December, possibly even into January. 

Fundraising Report

J. Bears reported that LIFE5b received $225 from Goat Pumpkin Carving, and $65 from shirts. Four additional shirts were ordered to sell at events. Shirts could be done next week. 

J. Bears sent out draft fundraising letter to the group to review. S. Swanson will send updated report to board with the number of boxes delivered this year, dollar value per box, and community impacts so we can include that information in the fundraising letter.

Discussion was had on following up with our regular food box recipients on survey and feedback. J. Bears will work on survey. Questions to ask include: do the recipients use everything they receive in the food boxes? What are they not using? M. Johnson can also help with the survey.

Old Business

J. Bears gave update on the greenhouse donation. She listed that LIFE5b is selling the greenhouse in the latest newsletter that went out. LIFE5b will be buying the new plastic. LIFE5b will also be listing the greenhouse on Craigslist and on KMA.

Food box updates: will want to confirm with Julie Wagner that she’s available to continue delivering the hospital boxes through December.

We are still waiting on final numbers from the event. We believe it is around $100. Waiting to hear back from Natalie.

J. Johnson reported no updates on the Shenandoah local food program, however, she did get the name of the school food coordinator and will share with LIFE5b.

M. Johnson reported that he has LIFE5b listed in Pella’s volunteer system. 

The LIFE5b 2026 planning meeting is scheduled for November 2nd. Time of meeting changed to 2pm instead of 3pm due to scheduling conflict. 

The Women, Land, and Legacy conference will be March 7th. LIFE 5b will speak on our mission, history, projects, food box program, GoP and SR operations.

The scholarship application for the PFI conference has been posted. 

New Business

Information about the Charity Bridge Fund was sent to LIFE5b by a local individual. We will need to look more into this program and see if it would be helpful for LIFE5b.

Additional discussion was had about the planning meeting, and that the plan is to focus on fundraising ideas and educational events. S. Swanson brought up the idea of having a farm to table dinner event, possibly towards the end of July. Discussion was had on reaching out to the chef at Primrose in Corning to cook the meal since they utilize local foods at their restaurant, and are well known in the community. Discussed having the event in Red Oak and charging ~$50-$75 per ticket.

The hog the LIFE5b purchased for winter food emergencies is at the Corning locker.

S. Swanson said he will be cancelling the herb class scheduled for November 9th. 

J. Johnson brought up that the United Fund of Essex might be able to provide us with funding if we serve food box recipients in Essex - up to $1500.

J. Johnson would still like to do a canning class next year. Possibly in mid June. Discussion was had on what topics/questions we think attendees would be interested in. 

Important Dates:

• November 2nd - 2026 Planning Meeting

• November 14th - Local Food Summit, Logan

• January 9th & 10th - PFI Conference

• March 7th - WLL Conference, Malvern

Meeting Adjourned at 6:40 pm. 

Next regular meeting November 17th, 6pm, Corning