[Gamer_Girl]

I am currently living in Western Kentucky, and debating on starting a Celiac's Support Group. The local health food store carries a lot of gluten free food. I continue to give them ideas on what to stock and they always end up running out of it.

Problem is they don't want to start anything, but they said they'd donate food and they'd help advertise. So any ideas on how I could start this? I've got no friends who have Celiac's or who would want to get involved. So I'm starting from scratch.

Any ideas would be a big help!

[happygirl]

Your best resources would be to talk to one of the national Celiac (Celiac, no 's') that have branches. They will be able to guide you.

www.gluten.net
www.celiac.org
www.csaceliacs.org

[mamaw]

Hi
That is wonderful that you want to help others. I started a support group in my area this past Feb. We meet monthly. Much to my surprise we have over 100 registered members. I did all the leg work on my own with my own money & continue today with only a donation basket. I research for hours daily to bring the most updated info & reliable. Not everything on the net is true so one needs to be a Sherlock Holmes at times to verify everything.
I did a newspaper article with another person & then a live radio talk show to get the word out. I had a room already offered at a local church. Our first meeting was a meet& greet with prizes, gluten-free of course for everyone. I had a vendor bring product & also had many samples from bakers/vendors. Each month i have samples ..... I try to have a guest speaker every few months.... After each topic we do a Q&A. We have a mission statement & a disclaimer.....
Some of our topics were beginning the lifestyle, what to eat & where to find it. Whats good whats not. Cross contact & cleaning up the kitchen. mainstream shopping. Product reviews. Buying as a group to cut down on costs. Picnics & light brunches in the evening! recipes sharing is another requested topic. Our group name is Gluten Free Cravings & we are liscensed. We are totally independent . There are many laws you must follow when you join CSA Or GIG. Our group is not just for celiacs but for nay one seeking help on the gluten-free lifestyle. This diet has helped so much with other health issues so the group is a unique group with all kinds of medical issues....
hth

mamaw

[Kit]

Gamer_Girl, on Oct 13 2008, 05:02 PM, said:

I am currently living in Western Kentucky, and debating on starting a Celiac's Support Group. The local health food store carries a lot of gluten free food. I continue to give them ideas on what to stock and they always end up running out of it.

Problem is they don't want to start anything, but they said they'd donate food and they'd help advertise. So any ideas on how I could start this? I've got no friends who have Celiac's or who would want to get involved. So I'm starting from scratch.

Any ideas would be a big help!

One way of getting a group going is call your community outreach people at your nearest or biggest local hospital. They'll often post support group meetings in their mail-outs and online, and may be able to get you a room in which to meet.

Be sure to notifiy all the GIs in your area of your support group, giving them hand-outs, as needed.

As far as support groups go...I like GIG (gluten intolerance Group) http://www.gluten.net/ - over CSA, who has been stubborn, ineffectual and inflexible concerning outreach and education.

Good for you! and Good luck!