Dear John,
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. —Margaret Mead
Throughout our 56 year history, CMCA has served as a leader for change in mid-Missouri communities. Our primary method to achieve change involves bringing people together to identify areas of need in their community and working with them to find solutions to those needs.
When community members come together for a common cause, they become empowered to make their community a better place for every citizen.
Thank you for being a member of our team today, tomorrow, and always!
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Turning Dreams into Reality
The Columbia Farmer’s Market was buzzing with activity when I arrive on Saturday. Because of the rain, vendors were squeezed under the covered pavilion, making it hard to find the Pasta by LaFata booth. When I finally spotted the booth, I saw a group of customers surrounding it asking questions about the sauces, purchasing products, and keeping Michelle and her team hopping. I knew then that what Michelle had shared with me about the success of her business was all true!
I first met Michelle (Shelly) LaFata on Zoom. During the first few minutes of our online meeting, it was clear to me that she is someone who values relationships. Sitting against a serene blue wall, she was relaxed and at ease sharing her journey toward working with the Missouri Women’s Business Center.
“I have been in Columbia since 2004,” said LaFata. “I attended Mizzou pursuing a degree in International Peace Studies. I love social justice and learning about other cultures.”
During her early years in Columbia, Michelle managed the Peace Nook, a non-profit, volunteer-based community resource center operated by Peaceworks. While at the Peace Nook LaFata began meeting people in the community who were growing their food.
“Cooking has always been an important part of my family,” said LaFata, “so, when I learned about the restaurants in Columbia that serve locally sourced foods, I wanted to cook for them."
In 2012, LaFata decided to take her skills to the next level by attending culinary school in Austin, Tx. The school focused on using nutrient-dense, plant-based foods in recipes, and encouraged chefs to work with local farmers to ensure fresh, healthy ingredients for their dishes. After graduating from the program, LaFata returned to Columbia with a mission to use her skills to serve the community.
Her first business endeavor involved creating and delivering personalized food plans and dishes to working professionals and people with chronic or terminal illnesses. While she enjoyed knowing that she was helping her customers, LaFata said the experience was “kind of lonely” and didn’t feed her desire to be out in the community interacting with others.
In an effort to get more involved with the community, LaFata reached out to her friend Brian Maness, owner of the Ozark Mountain Biscuit Company, and began working and cooking on his food truck. The truck traveled to events across the United States and served fresh, locally sourced foods. Working in this environment, LaFata gained valuable skills in running a business and creating good food on the go. She also used the time between trips to enhance her pasta-making skills.
“I’d stay up until 3 am to practice making pasta,” said LaFata.
“For someone with BIG dreams like me, it’s hard to ask for help.”
-Shelly
As LaFata's confidence grew, she began selling her pasta at special community events in Columbia. Encouraged by her success at these events, she secured a booth at the Columbia Farmer's Market.
“I was amazed when I started selling at the Farmer’s Market,” said LaFata,” because we’d sell out of everything in the first 45 minutes!” At the time, her main product was ravioli.
The great-granddaughter of four Sicilian immigrants, LaFata saw providing healthy, locally sourced food as a way to give back to her community.
“My grandmother left her cookie recipes to me when she passed away,” said Lafata, "so I began making and selling them at the Farmer’s Market along with my pasta dishes.”
Soon, LaFata's business was booming, and things were looking up. But, in early 2020, everything changed when the COVID-19 pandemic caused communities to close.
When everything shut down, LaFata wondered how her business would survive. Thankfully, she heard about the Missouri Women's Business Center and scheduled an appointment to meet with a business coach.
Working with her business coach Sarah, LaFata said her first meeting with her coach was difficult. She felt uncomfortable admitting that she did not know how to move forward with her business.
“Sarah is wonderful! I call her Queen Sarah because she has helped me so much," said LaFata.
As she began working with the Missouri Women’s Business Center, LaFata learned that she could expand her business by adding employees. She also learned how to create and work with e-commerce.
LaFata said, "Since 2020 my sales have gone up 30% thanks to the MoWBC!"
One of the most important skills LaFata has learned in her work with the Missouri Women's Business Center is that it is ok to ask for help. Because of this, she has been able to expand her business.
Today, Pasta LaFata employs five entrepreneurial women, including owner Michelle LaFata; General manager Moki Hana; Lead Prep Cook Liza Rogers; Baker and Pastry Chef Elizabeth Keach; and Chef Breanna Gun.
Working together, the team creates more than 10 gallons of fresh pasta sauces each week. And, they make and sell a lot of delicious pasta and cookies too!
When asked why she believes her business not only survived the pandemic but is now thriving, Shelly LaFata said, “For someone with BIG dreams like me, it’s hard to ask for help.”
But LaFata acknowledges that asking for help was the best thing she has ever done. She credits her work with the Missouri Women’s Business Center for making her business a growing success.
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Join Us for Two Chairs and Some Potted Plants, a monthly Facebook Live Broadcast!
In last month's newsletter, we shared the Steps to Success that CMCA uses to support individuals and families living with low-income as they work toward financial stability. Within these steps are our programs and services.
To help you better understand how our programs and services fit into the Steps to Success we are hosting a monthly Facebook Live broadcast called Two Chairs and Some Potted Plants. During these 15 minute episodes, you'll have a chance to meet and hear from CMCA staff, clients, and donors as they talk about the programs, services, and other ways that CMCA helps families through the Steps to Success.
Our next broadcast is on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at Noon and will feature Jessie Yankee, Director of the Missouri Women's Business Center!
Follow us on Facebook to receive alerts so you won't miss upcoming broadcasts!
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Donor Spotlight - Thank you to our Community Promise Team!
The Community Promise Team is a passionate and determined group of donors on a mission to break the cycle of poverty for families in mid-Missouri. People like you- giving anything they can to prove how unstoppable we are when we work together.
While the focus of the Community Promise Team is to engage monthly donors, the team also consists of those who donate one time or more throughout the year. We are grateful to everyone who supports the mission of CMCA with a financial gift.
Below is a list of our current donors for the 2020-21 fiscal year. Your support of CMCA has helped families in our community overcome difficult circumstances and begin their journey toward becoming financially stable and self-sufficient.
Thank you for making this possible!
(Please note that if you have donated and do not see your name listed please contact Cheryl to ensure we include you in our annual report to be released in November. Thank you! )
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2020-21 Donor Honor Roll
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Individual
Donors
- Beth Adkins
- Deeanna Adkins
- Karen Allen
- Sheela Amin
- Rusty And Deborah Antel
- Jud Auck
- Kevin Bagley
- Robert Bailey
- Bruce Barkelew
- Wilson Beckett
- Nancy Belcher
- Tami Benus
- Robert L. Blake
- Sara Boggs
- Connie Bowman
- David And Kay Bradley
- Diane Buchli
- Sarah Buckallew
- Cindy Bullard
- Jamie Bush
- Stacey Button
- Kay Cafer
- Kevin Carnahan*
- Ronald Carter*
- Noel Charles
- Aaron Chisum
- Koby Clements
- Robert Conway
- Jacque Allen Cowherd
- Helen Crawford
- Bob And Lisa Degraaff
- Mark Dick
- Brooke Dodd
- Samantha Dodd
- Wayne Doherty
- Meredith And Joseph Donaldson
- Roger and Judy Drake*
- Laurie Ely
- Brooke Eskridge
- Holly Estrem
- John Flanders*
- Frank Flaspohler
- Nancy Flood
- Robert And Darcy Folzenlogen
- Kevin Frazer
- Pamela Gainor
- Jonathan Galloway
- Alberto Garcia
- Brian And Cynthia Gardner
- Jill Graham
- Peggy Gray
- Amy Guinn
- Bonnie Hadley
- Dennis Handley
- Timothy Harlan
- Davin And Kishia Harms
- Gerald Harrison
- Susan Hart
- Beth Hastings
- Lori Hauxwell
- Lisa Hawxby
- Linda Headrick
- Melissa Herzog
- Vicki Hobbs
- Wayne Holden
- Beverly Horvit
- Bruce And Ellen Horwitz
- Robert And Patricia Kome Howell
- Gail Hughes
- George Hulett
- Jean Ispa
- Beth Jones
- Carole Kennedy
- Richard King
- John Klebba
- Dan Kleiner
- Gene & Deb Koepke
- Kristin Kormeier
- Donald Kritzer
*denotes monthly donor
- Jane Lago
- Valerie Lamping
- Pam Lanham
- Carolyn Lewis
- Christine Lindsey
- Tracy Litty*
- Heather Lockard
- Ben Loeb
- Mark Logan
- Kelley Lucero
- Ashlyn Maddy
- Carolyn Magnuson
- Teresa Maledy
- Nancy Malugani
- Dana Mazuru
- Travis Mccarthy
- Susan Mcclintic
- Kathleen Mckinney
- Ellen Mclain
- Julie Mcneil
- Brian Mcneill
- Jodi Mcswain
- Janis Mees
- Charlie Melkersman
- Marcey Mertens
- Brandy Minor
- Jill Moseley
- Jeremy Mullette
- David Nykodym*
- Packard Okie
- Elaina Olsen
- Julie Paulter
- Wally Pfeffer
- Audrey And Eric Phelps
- Joseph Polacco
- Anastasia Pottinger
- Darin Preis*
- Dave & Stacey Preis*
- Dennis Preis
- Jason Ramsey
- David And Martha Ray
- Sarah Read
- Stephanie Reid-Arndt
- Yasmine Rivera
- Candida Rogers*
- Charlie Roll
- Gilbert And Donna Ross
- Raymond And Diane Rymph
- Sharon Salmons
- Carrie Schlimme
- Stephanie Schmidt
- Kelly Schrier
- Eric Seaman
- Mary Shaw
- Robert Shoemaker
- Star Simmons
- Katherine Speichinger
- Karin Spradlin
- James And Susan Steele
- Allen Tacker
- Ian Thomas
- Janet Thompson
- Ronda Thompson
- Russell Thompson
- Hope Tinker
- Michele Towns
- Gretchen Twenter
- Cheryl Unterschutz*
- Pedro And Becky Valdes-Sada
- Anne Vawter
- Dennis Velez, Md
- Stacy Vincent
- Connie Weiberg
- Steven And Lynelle Phillips Westgate
- Mary Jo Westwood
- Leslie White
- Alan Winders
- Charles Wiredu
- Erica Woods
- Bob And Karen Worley*
- Kay Wright
- Jessie Yankee
- Darrin Young
- Ruby Young
*denotes monthly donor
Corporate Foundation Donors
- Amazon Smile
- Boonville Community Foundation
- Bright Funds
- Centene Management Company LLC
- Central Bank of Boone County
- Choribread and more
- Latin Creation
- Community Foundation of Central Missouri
- Central Missouri United Way
- Cooper and Woodson Financial LLP
- Daniel Boone Regional Library
- Deaf Heart Interpreting Services, LLC
- Donald F. and Mary F. Baker Charitable Fund
- Missouri Enterprise Development Corporation
- Errandrunners LLC
- Fireside Bakes and Brews
- First State Community Bank
- Friendship Baptist Church
- Hackman Designs
- Hair Therapy LLC
- Harrison Financial Planning
- Hawthorn Bank
- Heart of Missouri United Way
- Hyke Outdoors
- Isle Of Capri Casino
- J R Albert Foundation, Inc.
- Jabberwocky Studios
- Jefferson City School District Art Club
- Kroger
- Lifetouch National School Studios
- Linn Lions Club
- Maxwell Theatrical Self Image
- Mexico Noon Lions Club
- Mexico Rotary Club, Inc.
- Mid America Bank
- Mid-West BBQ
- Missouri Children's Trust Fund
- Most Positive Initiative
- Prolific Exteriors
- Research Communique LLC
- RMI Business Finance
- Show-Me BBQ Sauce, LLC
- Simmons Bank
- Target
- The Connection Exchange
- The Crossing Church
- The Hair Bar
- Thurman, Shinn & Company
- Tiny Tot Innovations
- United Health Care
- US Bank Foundation
- Veterans United Foundation
- Walker Winter Insurance Group
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Want to become a CMCA Promise Team Member?
This incredible community is composed of generous, passionate, and determined people—like you. They’re community changers and history makers. And you’re going to fit right in.
Learn More about the Community Promise Team
Become a Community Promise Team Member or support with a one-time gift now!
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Seating is limited! Hurry to purchase your table or seats before we run out!
About the Event
Tigers on the Prowl is a collaborative fundraiser benefitting six non-profits in mid-Missouri. As part of the event, nationally recognized artists create and donate unique pieces that are auctioned to benefit participating charities. The gala brings together artists, non-profits, and community members to celebrate and support the work of participating non-profits and artists. CMCA is one of six non-profits benefiting from the 2021 Tigers on the Prowl event. All proceeds from tickets purchased through CMCA will directly benefit CMCA.
Your purchase of tickets to this event supports the Promise of Community Action: The Promise of Community Action mission is to change people’s lives, embody the spirit of hope, improve communities, and make America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.
Highlights
- All ticket holders receive a plated meal and two drink tickets for wine or beer.
- Enjoy an exciting live auction featuring original artwork by nationally recognized artists including:
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Richelle Douglas
- Kate Gray
- Bethanie Irons
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Carrie Johnson
- Jenny McGee
- Phillip Peters
- David Spear
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Marie-Josee Thiffault & Emmett Russell
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- Live and silent auction will also feature one-of-a-kind items, vacation packages, and other fun things!
Tickets
- $900 - Table for 10
- $100 - Single Ticket
You may purchase tickets online by clicking the button below or you may contact
Cheryl Unterschutz by email or call (573.443.8706, ext 1030) to purchase your tickets with a check.
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Central Missouri Community Action
807 N. Providence Rd.
Columbia, MO 65203
www.cmca.us | 573.443.8706
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