March 12, 2010

ADEPT: Helping Our Agencies Clients

Author: Erin Gray

We care about the organizational well-being of our agencies because without them, there would be no way Second Harvest Food Bank could provide food for more than 55,000 people each week right here in Central Florida.

At Second Harvest we offer an ADEPT (Agency Development Education Planning and Training) program that provides training to our partner agencies to help them with different aspects of running a nonprofit organization. While the classes are usually aimed directly at nonprofit agencies, we’ve recently decided to test a few classes with clients themselves. Each semester at Second Harvest we receive wonderful interns from UCF. Jen and Judith have been helping us out this semester and have been working hard on a new serise of classes geared specifically to the individuals that our partners serve.

The “Money for Food” classes are adapted from a successful program developed by the Wisconsin Nutrition Education program.

The goal is to help clients learn how they can become more food secure while only having limited incomes and resources. For example, do you know that there are complete listings of restaurant’s “Kids Eat Free” nights?
 
This series of classes are being taught at the Calvary Outreach Center, where Pastor Clint Wallace graciously donated their classroom space and helped recruit students from his pantry clients. The first of twelve classes was very successful as we had 12 clients in attendance. Great job, Jen and Judith and thank you Calvary Outreach Center!
 
Are you interested in coming to an ADEPT class? Check out the upcoming classes scheduled.

Erin Gray
Agency Relations Manager

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

November 11, 2009

Partner Profile: The Sharing Center

Author: Erin Gray

At Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida we have more than 500 partner agencies and we serve 6 counties. As the Agency Relations Manager I am very fortunate that I get to work with and get to know our partner agencies that are located throughout Central Florida who help to end hunger.  One of those partner agencies that I work with and would like to spotlight is the Sharing Center.   

The Sharing Center is one of our partner feeding programs located in Seminole County. Their main distribution site is in Longwood, Florida. Their 40×60 sq ft pantry is able to provide over 2,000 bags of food a month to over 600 families.

The Sharing Center states that they have seen an increase in families that are coming to receive food from them this year compared to previous years. 

Michael Kenyon, the Director of Volunteer and Pantry Services at the Sharing Center, says “We shop every week in order receive nutritious and substantial food for our clients. Second Harvest is great benefit to us and our clients”. 

The Sharing Center is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. to help people in need.  If you want to volunteer or find out more information on the Sharing Center, please check out their Web site.

Erin Gray
Agency Relations 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