Archive for the 'Photos' Category

June 1, 2010

Food & Art for Thought Raises over $3,600

Author: Maria Diestro

Food & Art for Thought was held on Thursday, May 20 at Gallery at Interlachen.

The evening included an amazing collection of Food Art plus samples of hors d’oeuvres prepared by the sous chefs from Cuisiniers, The Ravenous Pig, Crave, K Restaurant and Antonio’s. Everything was delicious!

The event raised more than $3,600 for Second Harvest’s High-Five Kids Pack Program. We are so grateful to have individuals like Chef Jamie McFadden and George Arredondo of the Peas Foundation. They put together this amazing and successful event.

Sponsors included: HG Art & Design, Winter Park Magazine, Cuisiniers’ Catered Cuisine and Events, The Ravenous Pig, K Restaurant & Wine Bar, Antonio’s, and Crave.

The PEAS Foundation seeks to Produce Eating Alternatives Simply for food insecure households by providing grants for fresh fruits and vegetables to local homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and other charitable organizations, helping to improve the quality of life with a fresh approach. The foundation was created in 2009 by co-founders Chef Jamie McFadden and George Arredondo

Our Hi-Five Kids Pack Program provides nutritious meals to children who do not have access to school cafeterias during the weekend. Second Harvest partners with 15 public elementary schools that have a significant percentage of student participation in free and reduced lunch programs. These schools each receive around 3000 food packs per year.

Pictures fromFood & Art for Thought:

until next time,  

Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager

May 11, 2010

A Trip to the Cabbage Patch

Author: Maria Ali

Last week, our Product Sourcing Manager, Kirsten Langan, and I went out to one of our donor farms to help glean cabbage with the Society of St. Andrew (SoSA).

Let me tell you, it was some hard work! But I’m so happy we were able to collect 6,850 pounds of fresh vegetables to bring back to our community and provide to those in need. We were joined by an AmeriCorps group and a few other volunteers, one being a mom and her two sons.

The USDA reports that 96 billion pounds of food is wasted in this country every year, while more than 35 million Americans don’t get enough to eat. Wow!!! There was much more cabbage that could have been picked, but we only had so many hands, not to mention so much strength left. Each pile of cabbage that we picked had to be carried by hand back through the field to the truck.

Cabbage is full of water, which contributes to its weight. It’s a great vegetable that supplies nutrients that help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast, lung, stomach, and colorectal cancer. It’s also a great source of vitamin K, vitamin C and fiber. ½ cup cabbage only has about 16 Calories and provides almost 3 grams of fiber. It’s good stuff!

So thank you to SoSA, AmeriCorps, and the family that volunteered. Those 2 little boys earned 100 pennies…they’re mom rewarded them 1 penny for every head of cabbage they collected. If you’re interested in getting involved with SoSA visit their website:  www.endhunger.org .

Every extra helping hand provides healthier food to those who are hungry.

pictures:

 

Maria Ali
Nutrition Manager

March 24, 2010

Publix Super Markets Central Florida Division and Customers Raised more than $86,000 to support Second Harvest Food Bank

Author: Maria Diestro

This past holiday season Publix Super Markets and their customers raised more than $86,000 through their Food For All program. The Food for All campaign took place in all Central Florida Publix stores from November through December 2009.

Through the fundraiser, customers could make a $1, $3, or $5 contribution while paying for their groceries. The coupon was then added to their total grocery bill.

Dave Krepcho, president and CEO of Second Harvest, said “These donations provide nine times that much in terms of food value to the community. This will go a long way toward feeding families throughout our service area. A truly meaningful donation.”

Thank You Publix for letting us be a part of the Food for All campaign. And thank you Central Florida for being so giving this past holiday season.

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

Disney Builds the World’s Largest Structure of Canned Food

Author: Sasha Hausman

Yesterday we went to the unveiling of the world’s largest structure made of canned food at Walt Disney World! The massive sculpture titled “Celebrate Volunteers” was unveiled as part of a special “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” celebration honoring family volunteers and the spirit of giving at Epcot’s World Showcase.

It took about 500 hours of volunteer work to construct and shape the 44 tons of food into the Disney character structure. All 115,000 cans that it took to make the structure will make its way back to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. The food will be sorted and shared with other Feeding America food banks in our network!

We were so happy and honored to be at such a wonderful event, Kermit and Ty Pennington (host of ABC’s Extreme Makeover) were even there! A big thanks to Disney and all the volunteers who helped create, build, and pack up the giant structure!!

Pictures:

Video from DisneyParks Blog

 
Sasha Hausman
Events Specialist