January 19, 2012

Volunteers Make a World of Difference

Author: Mindy Ortiz

One of the coolest things about my job is getting to meet all the different people that volunteer with us. We have quite a range of volunteer opportunities at Second Harvest. Our board members, committee members and event helpers are all volunteers. So besides important tasks like strategy, planning, and running the food bank’s mission, our volunteers spend lots of time sorting food at our Food Rescue Center.

On average, we can have close to 50 volunteers on a daily basis. This week alone, we have volunteers  from Universal Orlando, Marriott, Panera Bread, Nike Outlet, UCF, Walt Disney World and Dean, Ringers, Morton and Lawton helping out at our Food Rescue Center.

All of these volunteers come in to help us sort and pack up donations. They help us organize, check expiration dates and basically make sure that what is going out to our partner agencies is safe and of quality. I can’t imagine what we would do if we didn’t have these volunteers. Read More …

October 14, 2011

Canstruction Orlando 2011: Wonders of the World

Author: Sasha Hausman

On October 16, Orlando Fashion Square will host the 18th annual CANSTRUCTION® – Orlando competition. During the competition,13 teams consisting of top local architects, engineers, contractors, designers, Girl Scout Troops, and high schools will gather to design and build spectacular giant-sized objects, approximately 8’ x 8’ x 8’, made entirely from canned and nonperishable foods.

This year’s theme? Wonders of the World!

The WONDERful structures will stay up at Orlando Fashion Square all week long until Sunday, October 23rd. So if you can’t make it to the build on Sunday…you have the whole week to stop by! Read More …

September 28, 2011

Another Successful Hunger Action Month

Author: Maria Diestro

It feels like just yesterday I was just finalizing our 30 Ways in 30 Days Hunger Action Month calendar.  I am devoting this blog post to all those who got involved with this year’s HAM and thanking everyone that helped make it happen. This year we did some new and exciting things to help raise awareness about hunger in our community.

The goal of our calendar was to show that even small actions can make a deep impact on the problem of hunger. We were super excited to receive a lot of positive feedback and can’t wait to make next year even bigger and better!

Hunger Action Month would not be possible without the support of our community partners.  They held partial proceeds nights at their restaurants, donated food, organized events for us and even let us join in their monthly community events. All our partners were very supportive and helped get the word out about Hunger Action Month. Read More …

May 4, 2011

The Calm after the Shoe Storm

Author: Sasha Hausman

And just like that, Wine Women & Shoes has come to an end for 2011!  Want the good news?  It was a GIANT success.  Second Harvest Food Bank could not be more thrilled with how fabulous our first Wine Women & Shoes fundraising event turned out.  The ladies came, shopped, bid and sipped all afternoon and overall had a great time.

There were 8 wineries (pouring over 20 different varieties of wine), 13 boutiques selling beautiful merchandise, 20 fabulous Shoe Guys, 15 models for our fashion show, 11 live auction lots, over 80 silent auction items, and a Key to the Closet raffle that included items worth well over $6,000. There was much to see and do over the 4 hours of the event.

So the big question is … how much did we make?! I am very proud to say that the first year of Wine Women & Shoes brought in over $85,000 to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. But even more than the money, we made 300 new friends as well. These dollars raised will go straight to feeding our neighbors in need. Read More …

December 13, 2010

Trans Siberian Orchestra and MAGIC 107.7

Author: Dave Krepcho

Second Harvest Food Bank was the recipient of a terrific donation last Sunday night at the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert at the Amway Center. Trans Siberian Orchestra donated $1 from each of the tickets sold for the concert.

Can you imagine the impact on this community if every concert did this?

Our thanks go out to the members of the group and also to the great crew at MAGIC 107.7!  The folks at Clear Channel and MAGIC made this happen; another sign of their support over the years for so many worthy causes.

On the way home after the concert I reflected on the experience , pyrotechnics, laser light show and high energy performers. The group’s name came from the Trans Siberian Express, a train that connected two far-reaching ends of a huge country – it was a vital life line.

It occurred to me that Second Harvest Food Bank actually shares a piece of that concept – we connect two ends of a vital scenario. That is the connection between people in need of food and all that surplus wasted food that exists each and every day.

We’re able to collect and distribute millions of meals each year and do that with a high energy of “performers” each and every day. The only thing we’re missing is the laser light show!

Dave Krepcho
President/CEO