October 5, 2017

Health & Hunger in Central Florida: A Call to Action

Author: Kelly Quintero

On September 22nd, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida presented the Community Health Needs Assessment in partnership with Florida Hospital and Orlando Health. With more than 100 attendees that included community leaders, executives and elected officials, the report revealed that food insecurity, along with access to care, is key to improving a person’s health and well-being.

Hunger is now seen as a health issue, and food is the best medicine. As such, access to adequate nutrition is now a top priority for the major health systems in Central Florida. This new focus will have a profound impact on our community. Read More …

September 4, 2017

My First Month As a Food Banker

Author: Kelly Quintero

As I close out my second month at Second Harvest Food Bank, I want to give you a little insight into who I am and what the first month of being a food banker has taught me.

When I interviewed with Dave Krepcho for the position of Director of Advocacy and Government Relations, he asked me what hunger meant to me.  I don’t think he was expecting my response. For me, hunger is personal. Read More …

February 4, 2016

State Support for Growth

Author: Dave Krepcho

Senator Thad Altman from Brevard County has joined other legislators to support Second Harvest’s financial request for completion of our facility.

The State of Florida is in the midst of their legislative session and deliberating on how the budget is allocated. Our goal is to distribute 18 million additional meals per year in the year 2020, the facility needs to be completed first!

Please reach out and thank the Senator for his support!

Phone: 850-487-5016
Or email Lindy Smith, Legislative Assistant. She’ll make sure he gets your message. Smith.lindy@flsenate.gov

Thank you,
Dave Krepcho
President/CEO
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

December 8, 2010

You cared, people were helped. Thank you.

Author: Dave Krepcho

Your support of Second Harvest Food Bank has made an impact in lives of thousands of Central Florida seniors, children, and families this past year.

Here’s a look at our accomplishments:

– Second Harvest distributed 24,764,248 pounds of food to more than 500 partner feeding programs in our 6 county-wide service area.

– Our Kids Cafe program served, prepared or catered meals to 164,155 children at 13 kids cafe’s in 3 counties.

– During the summer, we served 43,188 meals for school age children at 17 sites in Orange County through our Summer Feeding program. Through a grant from ConAgra we were also able to provide the kids with 15,773 take-home, shelf-stable food packs for the weekends.

– Our Hi-Five Kids packs program distributed 31,245 shelf-stable food packs to needy children at 18 elementary schools. These packs are designed to help bridge the nutritional gap that exists during weekends, when children lack access to school cafeterias.

– An amazing 1,227,100 pounds of non-perishable grocery products were collected in fiscal 2009/2010 through our Community Food Drives.

– Our Benefits Connection program secured over $14 million in food stamp benefits for Central Floridians. In addition to food stamp benefits, our specialists also signed clients up for Medicaid and Cash Assistance, and provided referrals to a network of collaborating agencies.

– Second Harvest Food Bank set up an online advocacy center and urged congressional leaders to fully fund and pass Child Nutrition Reauthorization. The Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill was passed last week in Congress!

Whether you volunteered, gave a special gift, contacted your elected officials, or simply were part of our online community, YOU helped thousands of Central Floridians this year. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Dave Krepcho
President & CEO

September 10, 2009

Hunger Action Month – The Countdown Continues

Author: Maria Shanley

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