Health-promoting programs benefitting Second Harvest Food Bank

I am constantly amazed at the efforts folks in the community put forth on our behalf. 

Most recently, I received word that two organizations, both focused on health, are sharing their profits with Second Harvest Food Bank and consequently, our community. 

Pounds for Poverty is a health improvement and weight loss program founded upon the concepts of long-term health and sound personal decision-making.  It also has an altruistic lean, encouraging participants to engage in hunger-alleviation efforts while solving their own over-eating.

When it comes to weight loss, there is no one diet and no one-size-fits-all exercise program - there are dozens of ways to improve your chance of success. Sign up for a Pounds for Poverty workshop and learn how to realize your weight loss goals. A portion of your registration fee will be donated to Second Harvest.

World Runners is an organization interested in the physical fitness of its members and the financial fitness of its beneficiaries.  Pictured to the left, World Runners President Bob Lord presents the 2008 check to Crystal Ulrich of Second Harvest - equivalent to 2400 meals.

Building on the success of the first two events, the 3rd Annual New Year Run for a Healthy World will be better than ever. To be held on January 1, 2009, the run will once again take place at the scenic Baylands Athletic Center course in Palo Alto. Both the 10K and 5K courses run over Baylands levees and through the marshlands on mostly dirt roads and are USAT&F certified.  Proceeds from this race benefit Second Harvest Food Bank and several world organizations.

Many thanks to these two organizations and all the others that enable us to fulfill our mission.  Here’s to a healthy New Year!

In the spirit of gratitude

Today I saw a food distribution where 2200 families received the makings of a wonderful holiday meal.  Imagine seeing that many people, all from your local community, lined up and being efficiently helped by hundreds of volunteers.  At this particular site, the turn-out was 20% higher than last year, but they were prepared. They were prepared because of people like you who volunteer and donate and advocate on behalf of the hungry.

We thank you wholeheartedly for caring enough to make a difference.

I thought I'd share some letters I saw this afternoon posted in our copy room here at the Food Bank.  I found them very inspirational! It has been a very busy year for everyone who works here, and we are very grateful for your support.  We could not do it without you!

They are short, but sweet.   Happy Holidays to you and your families!

From a client:

Dear Sweet People at Second Harvest,

Thank you so much for the beautiful Christmas gifts.  You made my Christmas so nice.  Gee, three bags of great food and all kinds of things I can’t afford, yet need.  

Almost all of my family has passed away, so Christmas is most often my dog Buddy and me.  I am a 66-year-old, disabled widow, and have adjusted well to my new life.  My dog and I live a happy and peaceful life.  

Thank you, once again, for making this Christmas so special. 

name withheld

From someone who works at one of our Partner Agencies:

I just wanted to take a moment to recognize the amazing, impacting, tireless, difficult, life-changing work that all of you do, day in and day out, to help feed those in need!  Those of us at the community agencies have the gift of seeing the smiles that your hard work brings, and I feel it is important to express to you the impact of your service, which is nothing less than heroic! 

It takes an army of people, making the difficult decisions in management, processing orders, packaging food, driving all around the valley, to feed the thousands of people each week.  Thank you for your non-stop dedication and passion for your neighbors in need.  I hope you all have a relaxing Christmas and New Year!  

name withheld

Companies forego holiday parties in the spirit of giving

Heading into this holiday season, I, along with my colleagues, had a grim feeling of unease. Requests for food assistance were at an all time high and donations from one of our largest constituencies, corporations, were coming in at 50% below their typical level. With more people to serve and less resources to pull from, conversations among the management staff at the Food Bank took on a hushed “what if” tone as we inched closer to 2009.

While we are no way in the clear (to date we are about 1/3 of the way towards out $8 million financial goal) I am delighted to have learned late last week of five Silicon Valley-based companies who opted for forgo their holiday parties and donate the money they would have spent to the Food Bank. The companies include: Cypress Semiconductor, Electric Power Research Institute, Monolithic Power Systems, Tessera Technologies and one that wishes to remain anonymous.

Rick Neely, CFO of Monolithic Power Systems said, “we did not feel right having a holiday celebration when others could barely put food on their tables and feed their families.”

This level of sacrifice and dedication to helping those in need is wonderful. I am happy to say the spirit of giving and sharing is alive and well in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. 

If you or your company would like to support our mission of feeding those in need in our community, please contact our Donor Hotline at 1-866-234-3663 or click to Donate Online.

Inspired blogger supports the Food Bank

Maura, at the blog One Ping Only, has been inspired by her company's Food Drive to hold a promotion where she will donate $1 to the Food Bank for every legit comment posted (capped at $500)!  

From her post:

But when I think about how many people are going hungry in a country that has so, so much, it makes me queasy. I know there are parents out there every day having to decide between feeding their families and paying their bills, and people who really don't know where their next meal is coming from, neither of which is something I've ever had to face. The older I've gotten, the more I appreciate how my mother was able to balance what should have been a comfortable income against life circumstances and make sure that we were never without, and probably even had more than we should have. There are too many people, and that number grows every day now, knowing that they're not going to make that balance happen. 

Please head on over and check out the post - and leave a comment while you're at it!

A Special Holiday Gift From Beau-coup.com

Charity Promotion: December 15th - December 19th

Beau-coup specializes in unique wedding and party favors, gifts, and party supplies.  This holiday season, they’re encouraging people to give and give back by partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank.  For five days, beginning on Monday, December 15th, Beau-coup will donate $5 to the Food Bank for every order over $30 they receive.  In addition to this, Beau-coup is also hosting a food drive at its corporate headquarters in Mountain View.  Drive ends Friday, December 19th.  

For more details, please visit www.beau-coup.com.

Food Bank takes home 2008 CalWORKs Community Partner Award

On December 9th, Second Harvest was honored by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors as the Santa Clara County Social Services CalWORKs Community Partner of the Year at the 2008 Client Achievement Awards. Cindy McCown, Senior Director of Programs and Services, accepted the award from Ken Yeager, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 4.

The partnership between the Food Bank and the County has always been cooperative. When the Welfare Reform Act hit in 1998, it required both agencies to work in a much stronger partnership. Together, they helped ensure food resources were in place before thousands of recipients were bumped off Welfare. To assist with this endeavor, the Food Connection Hotline was created with funding from the County. Not long after, The Safety Net Committee was set up to ensure that local human services organizations would work together to assist those living in poverty. With this history, the relationship between CalWORKs and the Food Bank was a natural one.

CalWORKs provides their clients with tools for a successful career and puts them on the path to self-sufficiency. Many of the clients find themselves both receiving food from and also putting in their volunteer hours at the Food Bank during their transition period.

One of our former volunteers, Pam Keo, was also an award recipient for the outstanding example she set. She is pictured to the left with Kristin Sulpizio, Director of Volunteer Services. There wasn't a dry eye in the house when we heard the story that took her from the brink of destruction to an eloquent, hard-working, caring mother of a rather feisty toddler who took over the stage!

In all, there were 11 client awards handed out, and each had their individual story read by one of the Supervisors. After all the depressing economic news that's been floating around, this was a time of inspiration and hope for the future. Employees and volunteers of Second Harvest get the energy to carry on through difficult times by seeing results like this. We can work together and make a difference—adding possibility and prospect to one real-life story at a time.


Photos by Poppy Pembroke

Volunteer Spotlight: Tony Nguyen of Cupertino High School

Gifts come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Enter Tony Nguyen, a senior at Cupertino High School. He came to volunteer last summer and spent an average of 10 hours per week throughout the summer months helping in many capacities. Knowing a little bit about the Food Bank, Tony wanted to give back. He helped with spreadsheets, capturing data, creating forms, updating collaterals and more.

When school started, Tony wanted to increase his efforts. One of our goals at the Food Bank has been to encourage youth volunteers take on leadership roles - and in this area, Tony fit the bill. With very little guidance, Tony created the Teen Ambassador Pilot Program, where youth volunteers assist staff with volunteer registration at food sorts and help educate other volunteers on hunger issues in our community.

He created a work schedule, sourced the people he needed through his school, and enrolled ten volunteers! All this was accomplished within a 6-week period. Tony even placed his experience on Facebook.

Because of Tony's enthusiasm, leadership and talents, this program launched successfully. The Food Bank will use this service model to grow youth programs in the future.

Learn more about volunteering at the Food Bank:

Visit our website or contact Kristin Sulpizio, Director of Volunteer Services.