Archive for the 'Events' Category

April 6, 2010

Meet Our Pound for Pound Challenge Champ

Author: Sasha Hausman

We have all learned that is hard to stay motivated when trying to get healthy. There are so many temptations out there ready to lure us in at any given moment (Cake for a co-workers birthday, favorite movie on TV so you skip the gym, etc.).

So we try to think of something to help us stay on the right track…It could be a pair of jeans that you have outgrown 5 years ago. But for Robin Le Roy-Kyle it is something bigger. It’s about helping feed our neighbors in need.

Please meet Robin aka “The Orlando Turtle Runner” and our Pound for Pound Challenge Champion.

In 2006 Robin was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and decided to make a change. Since then, running has been her exercise of choice. Her running blog www.RunningCirclesAroundTheTurtles.com, has taken off quite nicely with rapidly growing readership. This led her to her next venture.

Robin began hosting a running club called Pay it Forward 500 Mile Club: Running with a Purpose in 2010. Participants commit to running a certain number of miles (minimum 500), select a charity/organization of choice, and get sponsors to donate 10 cents per mile for every mile they run in 2010. Runners can sponsor themselves and/or get others to sponsor.

Robin’s organization of choice: Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Her mileage goal for 2010? 750 miles!

“I’m sponsoring myself and recruiting family members, my dear sweet husband, and friends/coworkers to sponsor me, pitch in, etc… so I will be very excited to make my donation to Second Harvest in late December! Hope my efforts and commitment to feeding our neighbors helps in some small way!”

I hope Robin’s story can inspire you to make a change in your life and meet those personal goals you have been putting off! Don’t forget to pledge your pounds on the Pound for Pound Challenge Website.

Interested in joining the Pay it Forward Running club? Let us know!

Do you have an inspiring story as well? Let us know!

Thank you Robin and to all our Challenge Champs! Keep up the good work!

See ya next time!

Sasha Hausman
Events Specialist

April 2, 2010

Vote to distribute healthy food to at-risk children who often go to bed hungry

Author: Maria Diestro

The Pepsi Refresh Project was announced during the Super Bowl this past year. Pepsi Co. will be giving away millions monthly to organizations or individuals during this year long project.

The Pepsi Refresh Project is looking for people, businesses and non-profits with ideas that will have a positive impact. In return, Pepsi will fund the top winners.

Below is the commercial:

Here is the scoop:

Pepsi is accepting 1,000 ideas per month. During the month you can go in and vote for up to 10 of your favorite ideas every day. At the end of the month the most popular ideas in each category will win. There are 32 potential grant spots each month.

Seeing this as a great opportunity, we took the reins one day and submitted our own idea. We found out yesterday that our idea was approved!

Help us bring our idea to life by voting daily on our Pepsi Refresh page: http://www.refresheverything.com/kidspacks

Our Pepsi Refresh Idea

Distribute healthy food to at-risk children who often go to bed hungry

Our main goals are to:

• Provide kid-friendly food packs to chronically hungry children
• Provide fresh fruit to chronically hungry children
• Teach the importance of eating healthy and of physical activity
• Expand the Hi-Five Program to more locations

Watch the video below that we created to promote our idea:  






P.S. Don’t forget to share this with at least 5 of your friends!

Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager

March 10, 2010

Are you Ready to Stamp Out Hunger?

Author: Maria Diestro

The National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is right around the corner. With your help, Orlando Letter Carriers will help Stamp Out Hunger on Saturday, May 8.

Now in its 18th year, the Stamp Out Hunger! effort is the nation’s largest single-day food drive. Last year, Letter Carriers collected 376,514 pounds of food in Central Florida. Nationally, 73.4 million pounds of food was collected.

What Can You Do To Help?
1. Place bags filled with nonperishable food items next to your mailbox.*
2. Your letter carrier will pick them up and deliver them to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

* Donate items like canned meats and fish, canned soup, juice, pasta, vegetables, cereal and rice. Please do not include items that have expired or those in glass containers.

Sign up here to receive a reminder email!

Below are photos and videos from last year:

 

Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager

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