Yesterday, Scott Pelley from CBS’ 60 Minutes program presented a follow up segment to the eye-opening “Hard Times Generation” piece that aired eight months ago. Both stories detailed the plight of homeless families with children. It is telling that when the producers of 60 Minutes selected a community to profile such families, they didn’t choose an inner city setting, or Appalachia, or some rural community out West. Instead, they chose Central Florida. 

Why? Because of all the homeless families in America today, fully one-third exist in Florida. Regular people, accustomed to earning a wage and making their own way in life, who have found themselves with few options for sustainability during the Great Recession.

As someone who works in human services every day, I recall being a little puzzled by the widespread shock and dismay in the community following the airing of the first story. After all, the organization I work for has tried hard for many years to tell the story of our neighbors in need. It’s a rather stark portrait of  need that we strive to paint day in and day out, in an attempt to enlighten those who haven’t considered the tragic and preventable issue of hunger in our community.

I wondered what it might have been about the 60 Minutes story that succeeded so wildly in this regard, in comparison to our own efforts? I think I know. It was the realization by many that the images we tend to carry in our minds about who might be hungry in our area might be incorrect. Instead of conjuring the image of the bedraggled man holding a sign at the end of the off ramp, viewers instead saw young faces.

People trying to get by as best they could in the most trying situations of their lifetimes, and still managing to go to school, study, and eke out an existence. Parents desperate to find the money for another week at the cheap motel, so that living in the car wouldn’t become the next rung down on their ladder. Viewers didn’t see lazy loafers and drug addicts at all; they saw people that actually appeared to look like … them.

And worst of all? Children who voiced that they consider themselves to blame for their  poverty because they feel like a financial drag on the family.

The follow up story was not much more pleasant than the original segment earlier this year. Families still struggling in large numbers, and many actually living in vehicles as they search for a way out of the hardship they endure every day. Clearly, a dark cloud of poverty and need still hangs over our community, and so many others across the nation. These stories helped to illustrate that desperation in ways that allowed caring people to relate to it—some for the first time.

It occurs to me that there are actually a few silver linings in the dark cloud that the 60 Minutes stories brought to light. First, it dramatically reinforces something that I’ve known for a long time;  that we live in a very generous and caring community. After the first story aired, millions of dollars appeared seemingly out of nowhere to help the causes engaged in providing services. That’s a huge silver lining. Second, the stories showed us all that the American spirit and determination is alive and well, even among those who are facing incredibly long odds about their future.

As one young girl living in her family’s truck put it, almost cheerfully, “It’s life…You do what you have to do, right?” Right.

And thankfully, for many of us who still find ourselves in a position to be able to help, what we ‘have to do’ includes finding a way to get involved and make a difference. For that is the only way that communities, and nations, get through such difficult times. By looking after one another.

As our Holiday season approaches, I urge all of us to redouble our personal efforts to lend a hand. Choose a cause that matters to you, and write a check. 

Volunteer some time. Make a difference. Change a life. Feed some hope. 

60 Minutes story:

Greg Higgerson, CFRE
Vice-President, Development

It was the week before Thanksgiving, and one of our staff at Second Harvest Food Bank opened his email inbox and recognized the name of one of the senders as a personal acquaintance he hadn’t seen in a few years. He recalled Wanda as a very successful and talented real estate agent, and was pleased to hear from her.

Upon opening the message, however, it immediately became clear that the message wasn’t just a friendly hello. Wanda related that she and her teenage son had been struggling with tough financial times for a couple of years. She told of how she had been making more than $80,000 a year in commissions prior to the crash in home sales, and since had been getting by on just over a quarter of that amount per year in income.

She had burned through her savings, and admitted that one of them had been forced to skip meals recently due to lack of money. “And I can tell you it wasn’t my son…” she wrote. “I never imagined I’d need to ask for help, but would someone like me qualify for help with food?”

Wanda was referred to one of the more than 500 local nonprofit feeding programs that receive food from Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to help her family get through the tough time. In a nation and community that is as wealthy in food resources as ours, Second Harvest Food Bank is committed to the idea that among all the things that struggling families have to overcome … hunger should not be on the list.

As you take stock of your personal situation this year, please don’t forget about the families who need help with food…. So many find themselves walking through the doors of a feeding program for the first time. Many who felt secure just one year ago are now struggling to feed themselves and their families.

Won’t you help us create hope for them right away? We appreciate any help you can give. Thank you again for your continued support of Second Harvest.

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

Hunger Action Month starts today!  While we always need your involvement with Second Harvest Food Bank all year round, we do try to make it extra easy and fun in September!

Second Harvest, in conjunction with Feeding America and 205 other food banks nationwide are participating in the Third Annual Hunger Action Month. The goal of this month is to mobilize people to get involved with fighting hunger in America.

With the help of amazing local corporate partners, we have come up with a “30 Ways in 30 Days” Calendar. We’ll be counting down our 30 day calendar in weekly blog posts, so make sure to sign up to receive them in your mailbox (on the top left of this page).

You might say “Wait a minute!  You just told me there are 3 easy ways to get involved not 30! Below you can find three easy ways to start spreading the word about hunger right here in Central Florida.

 3 easy ways to get involved:

 1) Attend at least one event on our 30 Ways in 30 Days Calendar

For Hunger Month we have partnered with Cheese Cake Factory, Joe’s Crab Shack, Firestone Live!, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, NYPD Pizza, Mochi Downtown, Third Thursday Gallery Walk, Eden Bar, City of Orlando and Enzian Theater!  Check out our calendar to see how these amazing local businesses are getting involved with Hunger Action Month!

 2) Visit: http://www.CFLHungerAction.org

Our Hunger Action Month website is an online calendar of all the events happening in September. From there you can also sign the hunger pledge and learn about more ways to get involved with Second Harvest.  

 3) Share with your friends, family and co-workers

We hope you love social media as much as we do! Just look for the social media share buttons on all our pages and events. Just click the button and it will automatically share the information you are looking at with your facebook friends or twitter followers. Also, if you pick up a calendar or a postcard at an event, make sure to grab two. One for you and one for a friend.

Did you know that One in Five Central Floridians struggles with Hunger? This story made the front page of the Orlando Sentinel this morning: Nearly a third of Central Florida children may lack adequate nutrition. Join us in changing these statistics by getting involved.

In the great words of Henry Ford: “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”

 Anyone want to try to complete all 30 ways in September? How do you plan on getting involved this September? 

Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager

Special Message – Your Support is Requested
The need for food is at an all-time high in our communities. Children, the working poor, people who cannot find jobs, senior citizens and more are in need. Critical federally funded nutrition programs are at risk of losing millions of dollars of support. Current budget proposals in Washington recommend huge cuts.

What does this mean for Central Florida?
If the current proposals were passed by the Senate in the next couple of months, the equivalent of over one million meals could be lost for Central Florida.

-  There would be a significant decline in the amount of TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) food.
-  There would be millions less in SNAP (Food Stamps) for our area.
-  WIC (Women Infant & Children) would be cut back significantly impacting women, infants and children.

Action Required: Call State Senators Nelson and Rubio as well as your U.S. Representative’s offices. The phone numbers are below. When you call, you will most likely not be connected to the Senator or Representative, you will be speaking to a legislative aid. They track every call so it’s important to call. When the number of calls starts to add up, they pay attention. You are the voice of the people who are most vulnerable when you’re speaking to these elected officials and their staff.

Simple Message to deliver
-  We want you to reduce the deficit – but not on the backs of hungry and poor people.
-  If possible, tell a personal story of someone you know that is need. (a neighbor, friend, kids, seniors, unemployed)
-  Protect the funding around the programs below. The House passed bill H.R.2112 on June 16 to cut millions from them. Ask them to turn this around with the Senate.
              -  SNAP, formerly Food Stamps / WIC (Women, Infants & Children) 
              -  TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program)

Collaboration
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is working in collaboration with Feeding America, of which we are a Member; Bread For The World and FRAC (Food Research and Action Council). We all share the common interest of these federally funded programs and the benefits for people in need.
                          
Contact Information:

Senator Nelson
Washington: 202-224-5274
Orlando: 407-872-7161

Senator Rubio
Washington: 202-224-3041
Orlando: 407-254-2573

Representative Sandy Adams
Washington: 202-225-2706
Oviedo: 407-977-7601

Representative Corrine Brown
Washington: 202-225-0123
Orlando: 407-290-9031

Representative John Mica
Washington: 202-225-4035
Maitland: 407-657-8080

Representative Daniel Webster
Washington: 202-225-2176
Winter Garden: 407-654-5705

Representative Richard Nugent
Washington: 202-225-1002
Brooksville: 352-799-8354

If you prefer to write a letter to some of the officials that works well. Any communication on this topic can make a difference. Please pass this message along if possible. Thank you!

If you need further information, please do not hesitate to call:
Dave Krepcho, President/CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Office: 407-295-1066, ext. 38
Mobile: 407-718-6936

Related Articles:

- Punishing the Poor
- House Passes Harmful FY2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill
- House Debates Funding Cuts For Food Safety, Nutrition Programs

1. Food Hardship
A recently released study  showed the hardest hit markets for families not being able to afford adequate food.  The Orlando area ranked #10 in the nation for food hardship with 23.6% of the population struggling — higher than the State and national averages.

2. Childhood Hunger
Orlando has a higher percentage of children in poverty that are of school age than the rest of Florida or the overall United States. One in six children lives on the brink of hunger in Florida. The number is closer to one in four for Central Florida. Orlando: 23.3% vs. overall U.S.: 17%

3. The Meal Gap
A study released March 2011 shows that Central Florida ranks higher than the national average for a measurement of what percentage of the population is in need of food. This study also measured the Gap in terms of dollars needed to provide missing meals over the course of one year. For Central Florida the gap is $84,548,545.00.

4. Poverty Rate
For Central Florida, there are approximately 400,000 people living in poverty, almost 20% of the population. Just over 100,000 of that population are children.

5. Hunger Study
The Hunger Study for Central Florida measures several indicators every four years on the hunger landscape. One key measurement is the number of different people receiving help through our feeding programs. In 2004 the number of people was 298,000. When measured in 2009, it grew to 732,000 people….a 152% increase. This increase outpaces most parts of the country. Florida ranks #1 in Nation for increase in households struggling with hunger . Increase from 2004-2006 period of 8.9% to 14.2 % for 2007-2009.

6. 211 Calls
The number of 211 calls for help in Central Florida increased by 43% from 2009 to 2010. The increase continues in 2011. Food assistance is one of the top three requests.

7. Food Stamp (SNAP) Usage
SNAP usage has increased in Central Florida by 32.8% vs. the State average of 20.8% from 2009 – 2010.  One in six Floridians use Food Stamps. There was a 113% increase in Florida from 2007 -2009 in the number of people who lived in households that had no other cash income other than Food Stamps.

8. Unemployment
U.S = 8.9% rate vs.  Metro Orlando = 10.8%. Surrounding Counties in Central Florida have a rate as high as 12%.

9. Under- Employment
Florida ranks fifth in the nation as a percentage of people that are considered under-employed…. ranging from 21% – 24.9% . While we do not have Central Florida data, we believe this range fits or may be understated due to the heavy tourism base and the tens of thousands of low paying jobs related to that industry.

10. The Perfect Storm
All of the previous nine key indicators add up to a perfect storm of a dire situation. This data paints the picture of Central Florida’s dubious distinction as a geographic area in great need. When compared to other markets across the country, Central Florida, unfortunately, stands out as an area of higher need.

 
A really great way to fight hunger is to attend one of our regularly scheduled “Food for Thought” informational tours at either our Orlando or Volusia Branch locations. You’ll get a sense of how a Food Bank works and what an incredible difference we are able to make for people who are struggling to put food on the table.  We don’t ask for contributions at Food for Thought. Instead, we hope that our guests will be motivated to tell others about our mission, and be inclined to take action at some point in the future themselves. To look at available tour dates and to sign up online, please visit our Food for Thought page.

Dave Krepcho
CEO & President

Sources: Food Research and Action Center (Washington, DC 2010 Study), Center on Hunger (Echo Strategies), Hunger in Central Florida 2009 (USDA and Economic Research Services), U.S. Census Bureau, Florida Impact 2010, Heart of Florida United Way, Florida Department of Children & Families, New York Times / Florida Department of Children & Families, Gallup Poll, 2010

We are so grateful to have so many wonderful organizations coordinate food drives for Second Harvest Food Bank during the holidays. We wanted to take a moment to highlight one of these groups. Central Florida Preparatory students spent a month giving back to various organizations in Central Florida. Below is a small write up and some photos from their month of charity.  

Central Florida Preparatory School Participates in a Month of Charity
 
When Mrs. Ramos asked students, “How can we help neighbors who are distressed with hardship this season?”  She received overwhelming response.  While students recognized a need for shelter, clothing, and monetary contributions, they all agreed that no one should go hungry.  From that class discussion, sprouted wide spread excitement about the opportunity to help the less fortunate in Central Florida.

The entire school, which houses students from Pre-Kindergarten thru High School, took part in a month of charity.  Hundreds of Central Florida Preparatory students participated in a “Tis the Season to Give” Food Drive, which collected nearly 1,000 pounds of food to benefit the many Central Florida Residents afflicted with hunger.  Further students expressed charity through Art, Language, Volunteerism and Self Expression. 

Pre-schoolers drew pictures about charity, while first graders participated in Macy’s “Letters to Santa” to benefit Make-a-Wish Foundation which grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. 

All food proceeds were donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.  Central Florida Preparatory School is a non-profit non-sectarian private school located in Orange County and in the Southwest Orlando area.  “Tis the Season to Give” Food Drive ran through December, 2010.

Walmart is asking Central Florida residents to participate in a nationwide week-long holiday food drive to benefit local food banks as part of an $18 million initiative to fight hunger this holiday season.

Walmart’s nationwide food drive will be held from Tuesday, November 16 through Monday, November 22, in each of Walmart’s 3,700 stores nationwide. Customers are being asked to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to local food banks.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida received a truckload of food last Tuesday, enough to make about 32,000 meals. Second Harvest was one of 10 food banks in the country to receive this donation, it came just in time for Thanksgiving.

View truck photos:

The food donation request is accompanied by a hunger relief campaign that runs through Friday, Dec. 31. It gives local residents an opportunity to visit Walmart’s Facebook page at facebook.com/walmart and help decide which cities should receive $1.5 million in grants to fight hunger.

Participants will choose from a list of 100 communities where hunger rates are the highest. The city with the most support will receive $1 million in grants, and the next five cities with the highest support will receive $100,000 each.  

Please help Fight Hunger in Central Florida by visiting the following link: http://fightinghunger.walmart.com/city/Orlando-Kissimmee-FL and place your vote by clicking the “Like” button.

Recently, one of our Benefits Connection Outreach Specialists shared a story that puts a face on someone in need in Central Florida. It shatters the stereotype of who we think may be in need of something so basic as food.

There are so many reasons why people require food assistance. There are thousands of these stories.

Last year alone, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida reached 732,000 different  individuals (many of them multiple times) that were in need of food. People suffering from the poor economy, folks under-employed, kids who need proper nutrition, the disabled and senior citizens on fixed incomes.

If you have supported Second Harvest, thank you, we need your continued partnership. If you are checking us out for the first time and considering support, thank you.

It’s through the generosity of many folks that make our work possible. For every dollar donated, we distribute $9 worth of groceries. 96 cents of every dollar goes directly to feeding people…quite a “Return On Investment”. It’s amazing and it’s a fact.

Please join us in being part of the solution to hunger – it’s a rewarding experience. It’s always healthy to put things in perspective.

Dave Krepcho
President/CEO