Archive for September, 2009

September 10, 2009

Hunger Action Month – The Countdown Continues

Author: Maria Diestro

Week 2 of Hunger Action Month is here! I was pleased to learn that our Hunger Action Month Web site received the highest pageviews last week in my stats report. Thanks to everyone for making the time to check it out.

Before we continue our countdown, I’d like to give a Portraits of Hunger Photo Contest Update. We have over 400 votes in our system! There are only 8 more days left to vote and don’t forget that you can vote as many times as you want. The top three portraits right now are: Courage, Grocery Day and Hungry Eyes. So get to it and vote for your favorite today!

Lots to do this week on our 30 Ways in 30 Days calendar. Below are actions that you can take:

#21 Become an Advocate

There are so many ways that one can be an advocate. The most common way is to speak out in support of Second Harvest Food Bank and to let people know about the work we do here in Central Florida. Another more direct way is by writing letters to your government representatives.

We recently launched our Hunger Action Center and now have the capibility that allows you to do just this. Your support can help launch a nationwide expansion of the Afterschool Meal Program, allowing children from ALL states to benefit from a nutritious meal after school. Click here to take action.

#20 National Day of Service
In April, President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which, for the first time, officially recognizes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. This year, on September 11, the President, the Corporation for National and Community Service, MyGoodDeed and the 9/11 families will ask all Americans to remember that Tuesday eight years ago and recommit to service in their communities throughout the year.

On the UnitedWeServe Web site you can find volunteer opportunities or you can register your service project. At Second Harvest we strongly believe in giving back to our community.

#19 Pledge to Fight Hunger
In the month of September we are asking people to Take the Pledge to Fight Hunger. We want you to join in the commitment to end hunger. We are asking you to pledge the following four things:

• Learn more about the largely invisible problem of hunger.
• Work to find ways to fight hunger in my own community.
• Fight for anti-hunger laws by joining Second Harvest Food Banks action center.
• Actively educate my friends, family and acquaintances about hunger and what can be done about it.

Once you sign the pledge, make sure to tell 5 of your friends about it.

That wraps up this week’s actions!  In case you missed it, Change the World’s blog writer Kate Santich did a nice write up on Monday about Hunger Action Month titled: Take Action Against Hunger All Month Long.

Until next week,

Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager

September 3, 2009

Taste of the Nation – Orlando Photos

Author: Maria Diestro

Taste of the Nation Orlando celebrated its 20 year anniversary last Saturday at the Orange County Convention Center. It was incredible! 2,000 people came out to the Valencia Ballroom to taste Orlando’s finest cuisine.

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® is the nation’s premier culinary benefit dedicated to making sure no kid in America grows up hungry. We are proud and honored to be one of the beneficiaries of this amazing event.

Over 30 of Central Florida’s leading restaurants came out in full force. Not only did everything taste great, but it looked beautiful too. There was live music by local band Crash Reality, a silent auction, and even a chance to make your own music video! I know I had a great time, and I think it’s pretty safe to say that no one left that night without a full stomach and a smile on their face!

Over $145,000 was raised through ticket sales, raffles and the silent auction, which will go towards fighting childhood hunger. Proceeds locally benefit Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida; state wide beneficiaries include Florida Impact and the North Florida Educational Development Corporation. 

Thank you to everyone who came out to the event. We are already thinking about next year when Taste of the Nation Orlando turns 21! Enjoy the pictures.

 

Taste of the Nation Review:
Taste of the Nation a big, tasty success from Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide

September 2, 2009

Hunger Action Month is Here

Author: Maria Diestro

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, in conjunction with Feeding America and 205 other food banks nationwide are participating in the Second Annual Hunger Action Month. The goal of this month is to mobilize people everywhere to get involved with fighting hunger in America.

One in Eight Americans struggle with hunger.  That’s why Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is asking everyone to participate in our 30 Ways in 30 Days campaign. Giving a little this month, will help feed alot.

I will be counting down our 30 day calendar in weekly posts. Updated information, interviews, photos and videos will be posted to go along with our 30 Ways in 30 Days Calendar.

Lets get this countdown started!  Below are 4 things you can do this week:

#28 Attend a Food for Thought
Did you know that we offer informational tours of the food bank? We call these tours Food For Thought. They take place several times a month and we feed you lunch or breakfast (depending on the time of the tour). 

 If this is something that interests you, please make sure you RSVP online.  This session is a great way to learn about hunger in Central Florida and what Second Harvest Food Bank is doing to help.

#27 Contribute Funds
Funds are one of the four most important ways (funds, food, volunteering, and advocacy) that you can help fight hunger. For every $1 donated, up to $9 worth of grocery products are provided to Central Floridians in need. 97.1% of every dollar donated to Second Harvest goes straight to feeding people. Even a small donation can make a BIG impact. Donate Today >>

#26 Martial Artists Fighting Hunger – The Gauntlet
Martial Artists Fighting Hunger are hosting a fundraiser for us on Saturday, September 5 at Lyman High School. What exactly is The Gauntlet?  The video below will explain it all for you.

A huge thanks to Steve Blanton for all his hard work in organizing this event. Steve Blanton is the founder and Commissioner of comBATON and tournament director of all comBATON tournaments including the championships at the Disney Martial Arts Festival in Orlando, Florida. 

If you practice Martial Arts or have friends that do, we hope to see you or them on Saturday at Lyman High School. Full details here >>

#25 Follow us on Twitter
We started a twitter account 6 months ago  and have recently surpassed 1,000 followers!  If you have an account, you can follow us at @2HarvestCFL 

If you already follow us on twitter, you can help spread the message about Hunger Action Month with the following tweets:

• 1 in 8 Americans struggle with Hunger. YOU have the power to make a difference! 30 Ways/30 Days Calendar: http://bit.ly/QkDdc #hungeraction
• September is Hunger Action Month: http://bit.ly/laSqV What are you going to do? #hungeraction
• Give a little, Feed A lot. September is Hunger Action Month: http://bit.ly/laSqV

That concludes this week’s actions. If you want to take a peek at next week’s actions the full calendar can be viewed online. Let us know what you think? We are open to suggestions and criticism.

until next week,
Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

p.s. Don’t forget to share this information with your Friends!