Archive for the 'Events' Category

February 12, 2010

Community Comes Together to Hear Hunger Study Results

Author: Sasha Hausman

Monday night, volunteers, donors, board members, food bank employees, and community supporters came out to the Orlando Repertory Theatre to hear the results of our Hunger in Central Florida 2010 study.  Although the numbers were grave and the statistics were shocking, the feeling in the room was one of hope and promise. 

Guests heard from our President and CEO, Dave Krepcho. He explained the study, talked about the numbers, gave insight on what Second Harvest plans to do about it, and gave examples on what our community can do to help.

Then a special speaker came up to the podium, her name was Annie Busby. She received food from one of our partner agencies, Jewish Family Services. She explained how she was self employed and was doing pretty well, until the economy took a turn. Annie was left with her children, and grandchildren to support. She explained that the food wasn’t just something to eat … it was a sign that things were looking up and that she could get through this tough time.

Annie read a poem that she wrote in dedication and honor to Second Harvest Food Bank

Oh shine on me with greatness, thy one who prepares thy meal, show me thy love; by the bread that you yield.
Give to me the importance of nutrient to my body, so that I can achieve.
Give me supplements to help with my yield, that I will grow strong to face the dawning morn.
Walk with me through the pain of hunger, by filling my stomach so that I know not hunger.
For I was hungry and you fed me, I was alone and you gave me hope. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink.
Thanks for the out stretched hand, thanks for the morsels of food.
From me to you; thank you, that I am stronger because of you.
For I too, am a child of the king, a pilgrim in a strange land.

Thank you to everyone that took the time to learn more about Hunger in Central Florida. If you were not able to make it to the reception, please check out the hunger study results online.

Have any ideas on how to help? Give us a call! (407) 295-1066

Photos from the reception:

 

Sasha Hausman
Events Specialist

February 10, 2010

CVS/Caremark assembles 5,000 Hi Five Kids Packs

Author: Sasha Hausman

CVS/Caremark kicked off their annual conference with this Kids Backpack Assembly Volunteer event where they assembled 5,000 Hi Five Kids Packs.  These packs will go home with elementary school students on Friday afternoon who don’t have access to school cafeterias during the weekend. CVS/Caremark donated $10,000 that was used to provide the food bank with the resources to serve 900 students for the rest of the school year in two schools!

Without the support of corporate partners like CVS/Caremark our job would be much harder. Volunteers help us get food into the hands of needy families quicker and more efficiently. In today’s society there is a renewed spirit in helping fellow Americans. Feeding America is glad that CVS/Caremark show their spirit of giving through involvement with our organization and member Food Banks.  

Photo Slideshow:

Sasha Hausman
Events Specialist

January 13, 2010

Participants in Second Harvest Food Bank’s Kids Cafe learned the fine art of Pie Making (and Pie Eating!)

Author: Maria Diestro

Central Florida children served by Kids Cafe – an after school nutritional program operated by Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida – became bakers-in-training on Tuesday, January 10 at Midway Safe Harbor Center. Midway Safe Harbor Center is located in Sanford, Florida.

Yesterday, a group of around 50 kids learned how to make and enjoy homemade pies! The American Pie Council’s Board was also there to teach the basic cooking skills and prep work, such as rolling dough.

Pie making is geared toward elementary-school age children. The American Pie Council will be making pies again in April for the Great American Pie Festival.  For more information, visit the American Pie Council.

Watch a video of the kids at work:

Photo Slideshow of Pie Making:

Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager

January 7, 2010

Portraits for Food

Author: Maria Diestro

During the holidays local celebrity photographer Brook Pifer came up with a creative way to join the fight against hunger.

The event was called Portraits for Food. Brooke offered to take a complimentary portrait in exchange for either a non-perishable food donation or a financial contribution made to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Participants ended up receiving their portraits via email. 

The event took place on Thursday, December 10 in her Orlando photo studio. Promotion for the event was done via her blog and twitter account. Brook works with celebrities, commercial clients and magazines worldwide. According to her blog, they plan to do this event again next year.

We are so grateful at how involved the Central Florida community gets during the holidays. We just wanted to share an example of how one person with a camera in hand can make a difference in our community.

Below is a video recap of that day.

BEHIND THE LENS: Portraits For Food

Below are some of the portraits taken from that day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View the rest of the the portraits on her blog.

Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager

November 13, 2009

Empty Bowls Luncheon 2009 Photos

Author: Sasha Hausman

Second Harvest Food Bank’s 20th Annual Empty Bowls Symbolic Soup Kitchen Luncheon was a success! Thanks to all our sponsors, guests, and volunteers we were able to raise almost $22,000 for our neighbors in need!

The bowls looked amazing. A huge thanks to Stella Tagliavore and students of Central Florida, because of you we are proud to continue this tradition.  The art students really took it to another level this year.

 Thanks to everyone who came out on Tuesday, hopefully we will see everyone next year for our 21st Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon!

Empty Bowls Soup Kitchen Luncheon was presented by: General Mills

Lunch Sponsor: Embassy Suites Orlando Downtown
Event Emcee: Ken Payne, Magic 107.7 FM
Entertainers: Matt “the Saxman” Festa and Michelle Mailhot
Patron Sponsors: Community of Christ Church, Randy Schimmelpfenning, Mrs. Ramona Spears, and Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A.

Photos: