Summer 2007 - Second Harvest Heartland

Inside the HeartlandA Publication of Second Harvest HeartlandSummer 2007Second Harvest Heartland FeedsMore Hungry People with Food OutreachThe scene is a familiar one: Adults andchildren, three deep, in a line thatstretches down the block, around thecorner and another block long. They’re herefor a Second Harvest Food Outreach on awind-whipped Thursday June evening atPark Avenue United Methodist Church inthe heart of Minneapolis.Glenda Yunga, her camera-shy son Jonathonand mother-in-law Adelaida Yunga appreciatedthe variety of grocery items they received andcalled the outreach a “blessing.”“Before Second Harvest could finish the sentence. . . Would you be interested in hostinga…We said YES,” exclaimed Wanda Bryant,Director of Cornerstone Ministries, housedin the lower level of the church. “We had 60volunteers ready to set up when the truckfirst pulled in.” Good thing. By the end ofthe evening, more than 36,000 pounds ofgrocery products had been doled out to629 families in just two hours at the FoodOutreach event.Glenda Yunga, her son Jonathan and mother-in-law Adelaida Yunga were family number82 in line that evening. They live inthe neighborhood and had come for clothingthat is available through CornerstoneInside the HeartlandMinistries. That’s how they heard about theFood Outreach. “We need this. It is a blessingto us,” murmured thesomewhat shy mother.The new program, SecondHarvest Food Outreach,was implemented to helpSHH reach its goal.So far, the programhas been overwhelminglysuccessful. SecondHarvest Heartland candistribute about 30,000pounds of food to 350-400 families in just twohours in one stop. These distributions areconducted in partnership with local agencies,churches, and other organizations inareas that are considered under-served byAmerica’s Second Harvest standards.For Al Bacon, number four in line at thefirst Food Outreach at Park Avenue UnitedMethodist, this was also a personal first: hisfirst visit to a food distribution of any kind.“The $150 in food stamps every monthdoesn’t go very far,” he stated. He is waitingCandace Broll, a volunteer andrecipient at the Food Outreach inCambridge, has been impressed bythe variety and quality of items.Joining forces to end hungerfor disability benefits andhis buddy of 15 years, numberfive in line, gave him aride to the Food Outreach.The setting in Cambridge,Minnesota was similar.Some 350 families werelined up in the City Halloffices on a steamy lateJune evening to receivesuch items as crackers,mouthwash and laundrydetergent.Candace Broll and her teenage son, Trent,volunteered at the event and also receiveditems. “I’m well educated,” said the non-profitmarketing director with a ready-smile, emphasizingthat many of the recipients, like her, areemployed. “This [distribution] helps my familyof six. I have four boys who eat me out ofhouse and home!” she said. Candace has volunteeredat the Cambridge Food Outreach sinceit began in March and has seen the progress ofContinued on page 3. . .Long lines, such as this one at Park Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, have beena familiar sight at Second Harvest Heartland Food Outreach distributions.1

Spotlight: General MillsThe international food giant, GeneralMills, is the sixth largest productdonor to Second Harvest Heartland,and contributed an astonishing518,876 pounds of food in 2006.The Golden Valley-based company has also fully embraced its hometowncommunity, supporting Second Harvest Heartland throughgrant awards from the General Mills Foundation, its employeedrivenFood and Fund drives and a strong tradition of encouragingemployees to volunteer for Second Harvest Heartland.General Mills generously matches the totals collected by employeeswith their Food and Fund held each spring. This year’s drive raised17,766 pounds of food and a remarkable $45,521.Second Harvest Heartland sincerely appreciates General Mills’financial commitment and its employees’ support and enthusiasmfor the mission of ending hunger in the heartland.DISH: Gourmet Fare for Hunger ReliefSecond Harvest Heartland would like to thank the DISH committee members andattendees and our sponsors: Gold: Target, Mpls.St. Paul Magazine, Johnson Brothers(Prestige Wine Group, Gallo Family Vineyards, Le Grand Noir, Starling Castle, RonDiaz); Silver: Ecolab; Bronze: Coca-Cola, Crystal Farms, Cub Foods, Kemps, Mutualof America, The Pepsi Bottling Group, RJF Agencies, Vertis, Wells Fargo; In-kind:Artelle Designs, College Press, Just Truffles, Minneapolis Floral, St. Croix Promotions.Your collective efforts raised more than $63,000.Help DISH Up Fantastic ResultsDo you have experience in, or an interest in, live and silent auctions, marketing, sponsorshipsor event planning/coordinating? We’re beginning to plan for DISH: GourmetFare for Hunger Relief, to be held in April 2008, and looking for volunteer committeemembers to help ensure the success of this signature event. For more information,contact Dawn Marie Nelmark at 651.209.7940 or dnelmark@2harvest.org.From the desk of the Executive DirectorEvery successful organization changesas it grows and faces moments oftransition in the process. This is oneof those moments. I have announced that I willbe retiring from Second Harvest Heartland inlate August. It has been almost six years sinceI joined Second Harvest Heartland to addressthe challenge of merging the two major TwinCities food banks. We are now one of the strongest regional foodbanks in the America’s Second Harvest national network.It is a good time for this transition. We have the strongest staff andBoard that we have ever had, all dedicated to our vision of bringingan end to hunger. Toward that goal, we will reach a record-breakingdistribution of 33 million pounds of food this year. We are finalizingthe 2008 plan and budget with strategies to sustain this growth andachieve another stretch goal that will provide significantly more foodto our distribution network.To support our planned growth, we have greatly expanded the food bank’sNow, More People Know About HungerThe radio and TV airwaves were buzzing with news about hungeron Hunger Awareness Day this June 5. The day began early, with1,300 one-dollar Cub Foods Breakfast served on Peavey Plaza. CubFoods also donated money for each Community Cupboard Bagpurchased, up to $10,000 during that week. That match was easilyreached. Kraft Foods made a $5,000 check presentation as well asdelivery of 17,522 pounds of Kraft food products.Bremer Banks joined with the Hubbard Broadcasting family of fiveradio stations and urged their customers and listeners to dump outtheir purses, dig the coins out of the couch and “Make Change” toend hunger with their donations. A total of $138,454.66 was raisedthrough the Otto Bremer Foundation, who issued a challenge grantand matched every donation made, up to $50,000.Second Harvest Heartland and its partners joined forces on HungerAwareness Day and throughout the month of June to raise funds andheighten awareness of the nearly invisible problem of hunger in theheartland.capacity to handle more food in the same facility, built a new freezer andexpanded the cooler to handle more nutritious food, upgraded our fleetof trucks, increased our network of partner organizations and programs,and sought and received support from the Minnesota Legislature. Anumber of innovative programs have been initiated, such as the SHHFood Outreach program highlighted in this newsletter.This progress would not have been possible without the generoussupport of our donors – both financial and food – nor without thetireless, dedicated work performed everyday by our partner agencies.Although it is always difficult to leave, this is the right time for me.I depart with confidence that Second Harvest Heartland is strongand well-positioned for the future. I will continue to support thiswonderful, vital organization and its incredibly important mission.Thank you all for your support and friendship.R. Jane BrownExecutive DirectorGuests of DISH enjoyed a tropical themed eveningfilled with lively entertainment, regional wines,sumptuous food prepared by the area’s top chefs, anddistinctive silent and live auctions.2 Inside the Heartland

Inside: Second Harvest HeartlandFeeds More Hungry People with Food Outreach. . .NonprofitOrganizationUS Postage PaidSecond HarvestHeartlandJoining forces to end hungerInside the HeartlandSummer 2007Second Harvest Heartland1140 Gervais AvenueSt. Paul, MN 55109-2020Phone: 651.484.5117Toll Free: 888.339.3663Fax: 651.484.10642harvest.orgInside the Heartland is published forthe partners and stakeholders ofSecond Harvest Heartland throughoutMinnesota and western Wisconsin.Every measure has been taken toensure the accuracy of the names andinformation printed in this newsletter.We apologize if we have overlookedany organization or individual.A member of America’s Second Harvest - The Nation’s Food Bank NetworkSecond Harvest HeartlandFiscal Year GivingFY 2007 – October 1, 2006-September 30, 2007Second Harvest Heartland is close to its goal to distribute 10 percentmore grocery products this year for a total of 33 million pounds. Thegenerosity of donors continues as Second Harvest Heartland wrappedup the third quarter of the fiscal year.$4M$3M$2M$1MDollars Donated2007 Goal $4.66MAs of June 30$4,006,945 donated30M25M20M15M10M5MPounds of FoodDistributed2007 Goal33 million24,362,507poundsAs ofJune 30Join forces with Second HarvestHeartland to End HungerJoin one or all of three SHH giving clubs. These clubs willincrease the ability for donors, like you, to make lasting andimpactful contributions to Second Harvest Heartland.Become a Monthly ContributorJoin the Heartland Harvesters and use the ease ofcredit card or electronic fund transfers (EFT)to make regular donations.Planned GivingMembers of the Legacy Society include Second HarvestHeartland in their will and/or estate plans.These long-lasting contributions support hunger reliefnow, and far into the future.Annual GivingThe Heartland Community consists of financialdonors who give $1,000 or more and providemajor impact in the quest to end hunger.Use Jon Guy as a resource. Call 651.209.7932 or jguy@2harvest.org.