November 17, 2010

Tale of the Tape: Sizing up Hunger

Author: Brady Koch

With a mission of “Fighting Hunger in Central Florida” you would think Second Harvest would resort to more boxing analogies. Well, Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service released its annual study measuring food security in the United States and it looks like we continue to have our work cut out for us.

Here are some key findings:

• In 2009, 50.2 million (16.6%) Americans lived in food insecure households. 
• In 2009, 17.2 million (23.2%) children were living in food insecure households. 
• In 2009, 2.2 million (7.5%) households with seniors were living in food insecure households.
• In 2009, 884,000 (7.8%) seniors living alone were living in food insecure households.

The full report can be viewed at: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR108/ERR108.pdf

To bring this national story back to the local level, the Orlando Sentinel profiled Central Florida’s response to food insecurity and hunger.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/os-central-florida-hunger-20101115,0,420934.story

Much like Little Mac in PunchOut, our opponent seems to be insurmountable, but the one thing we have in our corner is the community. Second Harvest continues to be able to fight hunger with our partner feeding agencies, volunteers, and donors.

 As a team we’ll continue to keep fighting until hunger is down for the count.

Brady Koch
Director of Agency Relations & Programs 

January 13, 2010

Dave Krepcho Named 2009 Central Floridian of The Year

Author: Maria Diestro

Second Harvest’s President & CEO, Dave Krepcho, Honored by the Orlando Sentinel – Receives 2009 Central Floridian of The Year Award

Our own Dave Krepcho is this year’s recipient of the Orlando Sentinel’s “Central Floridian of The Year” award.

Now in its 27^th year, the designation recognizes the contributions of an individual or a group. “These are people who embody the best in us. People of conviction. Of charity. Of vision. Of service. It’s important to celebrate their contributions,” noted the Orlando Sentinel.

The award went to Dave in honor of his valuable contributions and commitment to the fight against hunger throughout Central Florida. “His transformation of Second Harvest from warehouse to a nimble force for fighting regional hunger is why Krepcho has been named the 2009 Central Floridian of the Year,” said Darryl Owens, member of the Orlando Sentinel editorial board.
“Krepcho downplays his role, crediting frontline workers. But his voice in branding hunger as a community imperative is undeniable.”

Read the full Orlando Sentinel article. 

View the video below: