On the Record (Jan Martin)

Jan Martin, director of Project Success/Hall Township Food Pantry and park manager at Echo Bluff Park, went On the Record with the Bureau County Republican.

Town of residence: Ladd.

Occupation: Project Success/Hall Township Food Pantry director and park manager for Echo Bluff Park.

How long have you worked there: Six years.

Tell us the function of Project Success/Hall Township Food Pantry and Echo Bluff Park: The food pantry acts as a lifeline for persons faced with hunger. Individuals and families who are food insecure are allowed to shop once a month, and leave the pantry with a heaping cart full of foods.

Echo Bluff Park is one of Bureau County’s best kept secrets. This 60-acre park, located off Route 29 between Spring Valley and DePue, offers so many family activities. It is open throughout the year and has ice skating (during winter), paintball, high ropes and zipline, disc golf, hiking, archery and a summer of camps for children

When did it start: Hall Township Food Pantry in 1996 and Echo Bluff in 2004.

What opportunities does this entity afford the public: At the Hall Township Food Pantry, we provide groceries to those struggling to feed their self and family. To qualify, clients must provide proof of residency, a photo ID and meet state income requirements.

Echo Buff, a township park, is a haven for families. There is something always going on at Echo Bluff. We are currently gearing for summer camps – 8 specialty camps for children ages 4-12. Children are busy outdoors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.echobluff.org for more information.

What are your biggest challenges: At the food pantry, transportation for our clients and pride. Finding a ride to the pantry is difficult for many families. Many who truly need our services are too prideful to attend. We stress we are offer a "hand up" and not a "hand out."

Perhaps the biggest challenge at Echo Bluff Park is funding. In order to keep our activities affordable, we rely on a giving community. Donations are always welcome, as state funding is so limited.

What kind of fundraisers do you hold to help subsidize your efforts: For the pantry, we rely on the generosity of our community through holiday appeals and hold a spring and fall fundraiser. Most recently we have had Rip's in the spring and Applebee's in the fall.

All of the fundraisers we offer at Echo are family-oriented and typically low in cost, so that more families attend.

Do you have any new fundraisers/projects planned for the future: For the pantry, we will celebrate May Day at Rip's in Ladd! The food pantry fundraiser is from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free dessert to all who bring a food item to put in our grocery cart. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

At Echo Bluff, we just had an Easter egg hunt – with no charge. Thinking ahead, we are looking for a group that would like to stage “Terror on the Trails” – a Halloween event.

How many employees/volunteers are part of the effort: I am the sole paid employee at the food pantry but have nearly 70 dedicated volunteers

Staff numbers vary throughout the year at Echo Bluff. We have an activity director and a maintenance supervisor, plus six to eight staff members in the fall and winter. Come summer, we hire 12-14 young adults as camp counselors. Ten of our staff members are certified as high rope and zipline instructors.

Do you have a favorite memory or recollection regarding your work: We do have success stories. I remember the dad who stopped by with a $10 bill to donate, as he was finally called back to work and didn't need our services. Or the single mom who celebrated paying off her car and no longer needing to shop at our pantry. One of my favorite memories occurred last August when we were able to "take our show on the road" and offer a mobile food pantry in DePue. People who have a hard time finding a ride to the pantry were served. We will be doing it again on Aug. 19.

One of the highlights at Echo Bluff is summer camp. Our camp director, Samantha Brown, has developed an outstanding program – eight camps lasting nearly the entire summer. My favorite memory was visiting the camp one morning and listening as hundreds of happy children answered “bluff” following her “echo” shout ... And then complete silence. She is in control!

How can others become involved: We are always looking for volunteers to help us at the pantry. We need "personal shoppers," pick-up drivers, break-down volunteers and persons willing to fetch donations.

We welcome volunteers at Echo Bluff. Do you have a talent you would like to share? A gentleman will have Yoga on the Bluff in June – he is sharing his talent! We have need for junior volunteers – ages 13-17. Or adults are welcome too! Just give us a call.

In what ways is your work rewarding: My favorite part is seeing the giving goodness of our community and also the smiles on the faces of clients - who seldom have reason to smile. Being able to offer families a safe place with fun activities is very rewarding. The friendships developed over the summer are quite amazing – not only by our young campers, but staff too. Our campers come from so many areas that it is amazing how easily they connect.

In the perfect world, Project Success/Hall Township Food Pantry _____ (fill in the blank): Announces they are closing, as services are no longer needed! No hunger in America!

In a perfect world, we would have funds to build new facilities at Echo Bluff Park. We have need to expand our lodge and construct storage units and a maintenance garage.