Holiday Drive Poster Girl Visits Food Bank

Our San Jose warehouse had a special visitor today. Four year old Ariana, her mother, and her six year old sister stopped by to meet CEO Kathy Jackson and tour the facility where food is sorted and boxes are packed for distribution to low-income families like hers.

Esperanza, Ariana's mom, receives food through the Food Bank's Family Harvest program. She also volunteers at the distribution site.

In keeping with our commitment to authentically portray our client-base through actual photos and real stories, we were thrilled when Esperanza was willing to allow us to photograph Ariana for posters, barrel wraps and other promotional materials for our 2009 Holiday Food and Fund Drive. The photoshoot took place at the location where Esperanza volunteers and picks up her monthly distribution and the food depicted is what was being given to all program participants that day.

Ariana enjoys attending preschool and in her free time likes to color. Her favorite food is pozole, a traditional Mexican stew in which many of the ingredients are made available to her mother thanks to the Family Harvest program.

Ariana takes a tight grip on the posters she was given today.

Symantec Funds Cost-Saving Hybrid Produce Mobile - The First of its Kind in the National Food Bank Network

In the spring of 2009, the Food Bank was seeking to purchase an additional vehicle to meet the rising requests for fresh fruits and vegetables from our clients and partner agencies. Referred to as a Produce Mobile, this refrigerated tractor trailer operates like a farmer's market on wheels by bringing much needed produce to low-income communities.

We turned to Symantec, one of our large corporate champions, for help with the purchase of this high-cost capital item. Because of Symantec’s commitment to the environment, they encouraged the Food Bank to look into the possibility of purchasing a hybrid tractor trailer.

Thanks to Symantec’s guidance, the Food Bank did just that. While the cost of a refrigerated hybrid tractor trailer is much higher than a conventional one, the savings in fuel alone are expected to be close to 30% compared to conventional vehicles. All of those cash savings will be put back into the community in the form of food and programs that feed hungry people.

“For many years, Symantec has supported Second Harvest’s mission of feeding Silicon Valley’s hungry and our sponsorship of the hybrid Produce Mobile will ensure fresh produce is delivered to those in need,” said John W. Thomson, Chairman of the Board, Symantec. “I applaud Second Harvest for reinvesting the cash savings from the hybrid vehicle into additional food and programs to serve the community.”

The hybrid tractor trailer is not only transformational to Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, but the first for the national Food Bank network as well.

“Feeding America is actively working to build a sustainability program for all of our 205 member food banks,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. “This hybrid tractor is a huge step forward. As we work to end hunger in our country, doing it in an environmentally sustainable manner is at the forefront of our minds.”

Second Harvest’s new Hybrid Produce Mobile is a 32’ tractor trailer with 10 refrigerated bays. It can hold 15,000 to 20,000 pounds of fresh produce at a temperature as low as 30 degrees. This new vehicle will allow the Food Bank to open 14 additional distribution sites this fiscal year resulting in an average of 20,902 individuals served each month through this program.

“We are very excited that Symantec had the foresight and commitment to step up and make this first of its kind investment,” said Kathy Jackson, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “We hope this serves as a lightning rod moment for other individual and corporate supporters.”

Stay tuned for more announcements on ways the Food Bank is going green! Energy savings means more of our precious donated money can be used to close the Hunger Gap! 

Unexpected Hunger: The Sinking Middle Class

Please take a moment to read the following, sent to us by one of our neighbors in need. She signed it "Anonymous" - but we would like to reach out to her and let her know that we can help. Through our Food Connection hotline (1-800-984-3663), we are able to provide emergency food and refer them to other agencies that provide support beyond food to families just like hers. She is not alone, and we hope that by sharing her story, we will be able to collectively shed some of the perceived stigma attached to not having enough money to make ends meet.

Please do a blog post on the sinking middle class, of which I am a member. I have heard much of what is described as 'food insecurity' and not being able to afford not just any food but good healthy food. This is us- many times I don't eat the meat of whatever I make for dinner so my sons and husband can have enough, or there will be enough to add to another meal. Pop tarts are cheaper than fresh apples or other fruits for breakfast, but a young kid will eat this. There are other drinks cheaper than milk. 

I feel guilty but I am afraid to even try to get help- that they will say "you have a mortgage, you have a car, you shouldn't be here, your problems aren't real" , but they are. I am constantly rationing my own food and have even sunken to grabbing a box of cereal out of a food donation bin when we ran out-when asked where it came from I lied and said I had forgotten it in the trunk of the car from a previous shopping trip. I wish we could buy more produce and fresh food. 

Although my husband is still working- because of recent auto and dental emergencies we are strapped. Again, I feel if I try to go get help on my own (husband would probably be angry if he knew I did it) I will be looked at badly or put through the humiliating wringer of having to fill out lots of paperwork or be treated like I don't really deserve or need the help. I don't even want my younger son to have schoolmates come over for play dates because I feel like I should offer the visiting kid stuff and then there won't be enough for my own, which is awful. 

The thinking for people like me is just what I fear - that they will say "you have a computer to even send this, you must be all right. You're just making this up, you don't really need help". For one, I only have to pay 10 bucks a month for the internet I have. I don't spend on clothes or other luxuries. My car is almost ten years old. Sure, we are not the worst off of the worst, but the recession and family emergencies have taken their toll. I used to donate to food banks, and now it is me who is hungry, who recognizes myself in these descriptions of food insecurity, who finds myself noticing people coming and going from restaurants and noticing what anyone at all is eating at any time because of my own hunger. I have to stop myself from pigging out at any event when there is free food, or stealing food out of the teacher's room at my kid's school when they have stuff lying out there, or even sneaking eating food in the grocery from the deli or bakery area. 

I know I should be glad that we can even still afford to get cheap food, like pasta and pop tarts, but I wish I could get real healthy food for my family that they liked, and that there would be enough- and that I could go get help and not be made to feel ashamed or like I don't deserve the help. What makes being middle class hungry so horrible besides the experience itself, is having to hide and deny it, because others think you are doing ok, and the fear of the others who are ok trying to rope you into donating or even making food for the school or parties when you don't have enough for your own family- so you find yourself avoiding people.  

Well thanks for providing a place to vent. 

–Anonymous

Thank you for taking the time to read this. With knowledge comes understanding and compassion, and we need that in bunches right now!

Current and Upcoming Holiday Food Drives

Support Second Harvest Food Bank by participating in the following Food Drives in your neighborhood this holiday season:

NOW through JANUARY 5: 
Lucky, Food Maxx and Save Mart Holiday Food Drive
You can support the Food Bank while shopping at your local Lucky, Food Maxx or Save Mart store - simply drop non-perishable items to donate in our Food Bank barrels. All Save Mart and Lucky stores will have $10 and $20 bags of their pre-selected food items that you can buy and place in the barrels.

NOW through JANUARY 1: 
ABC7 / Safeway Share your Holiday Food Drive
You can support the Food Bank while shopping at your local Safeway store - simply drop non-perishable items to donate in our Food Bank barrels.
Find a Safeway location near you

NOW through JANUARY 8: 
CBS5 / Whole Foods Market
Food for Bay Area Families: Help provide food for families in need this holiday season - donate non-perishable items at your local Whole Foods Market. Look for our barrels at a Whole Foods location near you.
Find your nearest Whole Foods Market location

TUESDAY DECEMBER 8:
Whole Foods Market "5% Day"
Stock up on organic groceries, gourmet treats and superb buffet items while helping to feed those in need! All Bay Area Whole Foods Market stores will donate 5% of profits from their sales on Tuesday, December 8th to support Bay Area Food Banks.
Find your nearest Whole Foods Market location

NOVEMBER 21:
Scouting For Food
Scouts across the Bay Area will be collecting food on this one day food drive. The weekend before they will place door hangers on homes that they will return to on November 21. Simply put a bag of food out on your porch that morning for the scouts and they will deliver it to the Food Bank. If you do not receive a door hanger, you can still donate by bringing the food to your local Bay Area Food Bank or most LDS churches.

NOVEMBER 21, 8:30AM - 5:30PM: 
NBC11 Bay Area/CVS Food Drive
Join CVS and NBC11 Bay Area for this single day drive to raise food for those in need! Stop by your local CVS and donate non-perishable food items to the Food Bank on the day of November 21st.
Find your local CVS pharmacy

What Matters to You?

Do you remember receiving a gift that really mattered to you?

For me, the gift I received that really mattered was an invitation.

The gift arrived when I was just out of school. My wife and I were in our first year of marriage, in our first apartment, living far from either of our families. We didn’t have much money, or know a lot of people. Thanksgiving was just around the corner. We felt awkward asking any of our new friends to share the holiday with us, and even more awkward making a lavish dinner for only two people. So, our grand Thanksgiving plan was to spend a day huddled in our apartment with movies and takeout.

Everything changed when we got a call from a woman we knew who lived on the other end of the bay. She invited us to her place for the Big Meal. Even though we didn't know her that well, or know who else would be there, we decided to take our chances and accept.

It turned out that we spent a truly magnificent Thanksgiving Day cooking, swapping stories, laughing, and hanging out with the oddest collection of people. There was a long-lost uncle, with beard and VW van. There was a classmate and his girlfriend. There was a friend of a friend, absent the friend that connected him. There were the two radical economic activists who lived downstairs. There was a foreign exchange student from a nearby school no one else had attended. And there were my wife and myself.

Lucky for us, our friend didn't share our reluctance to invite almost total strangers to the table. We enjoyed a wonderful holiday, and started a deep and lasting friendship.

The best thing about this gift was that it made me want to share it with others. In the (many) intervening years, my wife and I have made a practice of inviting widely for Thanksgiving. And we’ve never had a disappointing day, or spent that time with movies and takeout.

One thing I love about my work at Second Harvest is that I'm able to be a small part of a big invitation – the invitation to those who are hungry to come and eat their fill. Because of those who are willing to share what's on their table, those who are hungry can have milk and bread without cost. These are the gifts that have the power to change lives.

I'd like to know what gift you have received, that really mattered to you. Was it a bicycle or a special toy? Was it a piece of clothing or a plane ticket? Was it a gift of love? Or opportunity? Or time? Was it a meal?

I invite you to share your story by commenting below. For each comment we receive, our CEO Kathy Jackson will donate $10 to the "Share Your Story" 2009 Holiday Food and Fund drive.

Sincerely,

Bran Scott
Annual Fund and Systems Manager
Second Harvest Food Bank

Food Bank Kicks off Holiday Drive

Yesterday we kicked off the 2009 Holiday Food & Fund Drive with an event at our San Carlos Warehouse. Supervisor Carole Groom and John W. Thompson, Symantec Chairman of the Board (pictured above), drove home the importance of supporting the Food Bank and the significant role we play in the community.

This holiday season is critical. As we strive to feed more and more people in need, we are asking everyone to do what they can and to give a gift that matters – the gift of food.

Currently, more than two-thirds of callers to our Food Connection hotline are first time callers who have never before needed food assistance. Many of these people are recently-unemployed or had their work hours cut in the past year and are finding themselves unable to afford enough nutritious food for themselves and their families.

The goals for this year’s drive are to collect 10 million dollars and 1.9 million pounds of food. The drive runs through January 22nd. 

To find out how you can help, visit www.SHFB.org.

Paper = Food

You can help feed hungry people in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties by buying paper. Each time you buy a case of Give Something Back (GSB) 30% or 100% post-consumer recycled paper, GSB Inc. and Boise Inc. will donate $1 to the Food Bank.

GSB was founded on a simple concept – sell office supplies and donate the profits to local non-profit organizations. Today GBS has become the largest independent office supply company in the western region and has given over $4 million back to impact our local communities.

Contact Give Something Back at support@givesomethingback.com or visit them on line at http://www.givesomethingback.com/ for more information.

Ending Childhood Hunger by 2015 Listening Session

The public is invited to attend a listening session hosted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in response to the Obama Administration’s challenge to federal agencies to eliminate childhood hunger by 2015.

The listening session is being held at the Oakland Federal Building on Thursday, October 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be a lunch break from Noon – 1:00p.m. Attendees are asked to provide their own lunch.

During the session, FNS representatives will listen and gather recommendations for ending childhood hunger by 2015 from program cooperators, participants and partners at state and local levels, who provide unique yet necessary points of view that will help assist the Obama Administration as it considers potential changes to programs and their delivery. Our own Cindy McCown, Senior Director of Programs and Services at the Food Bank will be speaking on behalf of the California Association of Food Bank’s.

For more information, email wro-pa@fns.usda.gov or call (415) 705-1311.

If you are unable to attend, comments and recommendations can be emailed to the above address or faxed to: (415) 705-1364. Deadline for submissions is October 15, 2009.

Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria Menlo Park Opening Benefits Food Bank

On Tuesday September 22nd, Amici's East Coast Pizzeria celebrated the opening of their Menlo Park location with a 'Charity Lunch' in support of the Food Bank.

Amici's staff were joined by 'celebrity servers' Brian Murphy, Paul McCaffrey and Dan Dibley, hosts of The Morning Show on KNBR-680, who showed off their restaurant skills and entertained customers.

The event was well supported by Menlo Park residents including Mayor Heyward Robinson, and Sports fans from around the Bay Area.

Lunch sales totaled $2,300, to which Amici's added a $1,000 tip on behalf of each of the 'celebrity servers' for a grand total of a $5,300 donation to Second Harvest Food Bank. This generous donation will provide 10,600 meals to people in need in our community.

Thanks to Amici’s and everyone who came out to enjoy a great lunch and support the Food Bank.

Photo is by Chris Gulker of http://www.inmenlo.com/. Pictures L-R are: Brian Murphy (KNBR), Heyward Robinson (Mayor of Menlo Park), Dan Dibley (KNBR), and Paul McCaffrey (KNBR).

Cheesecake Factory supports Hunger Action Month with special promotion

On September 30th, bring two cans of soup to any local Cheesecake Factory and, on top of your food donation, they will donate 10% of your check to the Food Bank.

The Cheesecake Factory is a corporate partner of Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month. During the month of September, Feeding America’s nationwide network of 205 food banks are calling upon their communities to help end local hunger.

Chef Cat Cora to host Backyard "CCQ" in support of Second Harvest

Head out to Macy's Valley Fair - 2801 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose on Saturday, October 3rd at 2:00pm where Macy's Culinary Council chef Cat Cora will host a Backyard "CCQ".

Join us to sample some of Cat's favorite recipes. Feed your passion for gourmet cooking while showing your support for Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

Ticket price is $15. All proceeds from event will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Ticket transaction will be completed at Macy's prior to start of the event. Cash or check only. Please make check payable to "Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties". For more information, log onto macys.com/events.

2nd Annual Hunger Issues Forum for Santa Clara County

The September 10th Hunger Issues Forum was organized by the Food Bank and was sponsored by Santa Clara University’s Food & Agribusiness Institute and SCU’s Leavey School of Business. Approximately 125 attendees gained a better understanding of how childhood hunger affects our economy while learning about public policy opportunities and how to take action on hunger issues.

Speakers included:

Dr. John Cook with the Boston Medical Center and the Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Cook explained findings from his recently released report Child Food Insecurity: The Economic Impact on Our Nation.

Dr. Ed Cooney, CEO of the Congressional Hunger Center in Washington D.C. Dr. Cooney addressed how we can influence system changes to achieve President Obama's commitment to end domestic childhood hunger by 2015.

Dr. Drew Starbird, acting Dean of Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business. Dr. Starbird explained what the unmet food needs look like for Santa Clara County residents.

Dr. Daniel Delgado, pediatrician at the Pediatric Healthy Lifestyles Center at the Santa Clara County Health and Hospital System. Dr. Delgado shared what is happening locally to improve children’s lifestyles.

Video of the presentations will be available soon.

The Carolee Hazard 93 Dollar Drive Totals Over $13K

The Carolee Hazard 93 Dollar Drive (see blog post from August 26) has taken on a life of its own! As of today, more than $13,000 has been donated to the Food Bank. And the Facebook Page she set up has received comments from all over the world.

In addition, Trader Joe's in Menlo Park, the store where this amazing story began, donated over 250 pounds of food. Pictured are Carolee, her daughters and Jenni.

Lisa Fernandez of the Mercury News first covered the story and today, Carolee and Jenni graciously agreed to tell their story to a wider audience. Pictured is Carolee being interviewed by Maureen Naylor of KTVU/FOX2.

Carolee and Jenni delivering donation checks to the Food Bank's Tami Cardenas.

Los Gatos Art Association 2010 Calendar

Buy now to support Second Harvest Food Bank!

Purchase the 2010 LGAA 14-month Calendar and adorn your home or office with images of award-winning local art. 100% of the proceeds from these great gifts will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties to provide food for our neighbors in need.

Visit the LGAA website to learn more about the artists and use this order form (PDF) to request your calendar(s) now!

Exchange Cans of Soup for Cheesecake

The Cheesecake Factory’s Drive Out Hunger 30-Day/30-Market Bus Tour hits our local area on Wednesday, September 2nd.

Come by the Cheesecake Factory Valley Fair (3041 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95050) from 7:00-10:00am and and enjoy a slice of decadence. The first 500 guests who donate two cans of soup will receive a free slice of Stefanie’s Ultimate Red Velvet Cheesecake and all donors will receive a special gift to use on a future visit.

Never Underestimate the Power of an Act of Kindness.

I love working at Second Harvest Food Bank. Every day, I witness caring citizens donating time, energy, food, and money to help feed people who they will most likely never meet.

Their generosity never fails to reaffirm my faith in the goodness of humanity.

Recently, I learned of an act of kindness that still brings tears to my eyes.

It started with Carolee Hazard helping out Jenni Ware, a stranger who was in front of her in the checkout line at the grocery store. When it came time for Ware to pay for her groceries, she discovered she had lost her wallet. Seeing that Ware was obviously in distress, Hazard paid for Ware’s groceries with her own credit card, asking Ware to send her a check when she found her wallet.

To find out how this amazing act of trust and kindness ultimately ended up benefitting Second Harvest, read this Mercury News story.

Zombies support the Food Bank

On August 26, hundreds of people are expected to show up for Zombie-o-Rama in downtown San Jose. This year, event organizer Dan Vado of SLG publishing has set up a food drive to compliment the Zombie Crawl and film showing of "Shaun of the Dead".

A barrel will be set up at the movie site (Starlight Cinema) as well as at Zombie-O-Rama HQ (otherwise known as the SLG Art Boutiki).

"We're all looking for ways to make it through this very hard time, so the stuff that really resonates with people is about community," Vado says. "The first rule in a zombie apocalypse is to stick together, because that's the only way to survive."

I never thought I'd find myself in a position where I wanted to thank a pack of zombies... But wow, thanks guys!

More information available on the Zombie-O-Rama blog, at Zombieorama.com and in this Mercury News article.

Photo by Josie Lepe, Mercury News

Target volunteers help get fresh produce out to local families in need

Recently, Target team members put their energies to good use by helping bag plums in our San Jose warehouse.

These hard working volunteers bagged a total of 4,263 pounds of the fresh fruit in just a few short hours.

Later that day, the plums were loaded onto a Food Bank truck for distribution to 162 low-income families in East San Jose who participate in the Food Bank’s Family Harvest program. Pears, watermelon, cantaloupe, bell peppers, corn-on-the-cob, celery, potatoes, onions, eggs, tortillas, pasta, rice, beans, peanut butter, bread, cereal, and whole chickens were also included in the distribution.

Store Team Leader Meredith Klausner said that Target employees are always very generous with their time. Their work at the Food Bank is a great example of how everyone pitches in to help people in need in their local community.

Kathy Jackson welcomed as new Food Bank CEO

Kathy Jackson joins Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties as Chief Executive Officer

With experience in non-profit board management and more than 20 years in the financial services industry, Kathy has a proven track record of success in leading and growing large and small non-profit and for-profit organizations.

Prior to joining the Food Bank, Kathy served on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for the Future, acting as Annual Campaign Chair (2006 - 2007) and President (2007- 2009). In her roles, she led a 33-person Board in raising funds to support public Menlo-Atherton High School. Between 2006 and 2009, donations increased more than 100% while expenses grew less than 33%.

Prior to entering the non-profit world, Kathy managed various line businesses as a senior-level executive with finance-based corporations in the Bay Area, specifically Bank of America Leasing and Capital, GATX Capital Corporation and D’Accord Incorporated. She also served as Vice Chair of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, a trade association representing financial services companies and manufacturers in the $650 billion U.S. equipment finance sector.

Kathy has an MBA in Marketing, Finance and Accounting from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford University.

Contact Kathy Jackson

Take Action: Help Restore the Brown Bag Program for Seniors

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties and other food banks throughout California receive state funds for the Brown Bag Program for seniors.

During the recent State budget process Governor Schwarzenegger's made the bold move of doing a line-item veto of the Brown Bag Program. Basically, he removed the program from the State budget!

In fiscal year 2008/09, our Brown Bag Program provided groceries to over 10,800 senior households. This amounted to over 10,400,800 pounds of food for the elderly. Many of these low-income seniors are struggling, and the Brown Bag Program provides their primary source of food. They are being forced to choose between spending their money on rent, utilities, prescription medications, or food. For them, purchasing enough food to survive is a daily challenge. The Brown Bag Program provides a critical service to ensure that people have the basic necessity of life: nutrition.

The Impact
Brown Bag recipients are primarily women receiving SSI/SSP who, through a string of budget deals, have just seen their stipends cut. Additionally, the Brown Bag Program provides critical funding to food banks. Approximately $20,000 per provider may not seem like much to make a program operate and grow, but it is critical to smaller food banks.

Return on Investment
The Brown Bag Program makes efficient use of state funds. Every dollar invested by the state provides to seniors approximately $40 in food and services from the local community. The program is currently funded at $541,000, which means the program leverages over $21 million in food and services for seniors, all of which will be lost if the Governor's veto stands.

Take a few easy steps to help restore the Brown Bag Program:

• Download, fill out and fax this flyer (pdf) to all the Assembly members and Senators in your service area, as well as the Assembly and Senate leadership. Fax numbers for all legislators and the leadership are listed on the second page of the flyer.


• Spread the word. Email the flyer to your coworkers, friends, and other people who will want to take action.


• Update and fax this sample letter from your organization to legislative leaders asking them to restore the Brown Bag Program.

Photo: One of Second Harvest's long-time Mountain View Brown Bag volunteers

Membership Fees for Distribution Agencies Waived in Step to Relieve Struggling Partners

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties becomes the first food bank in California to stop charging membership fees to their partner agencies

Up to now, Second Harvest's 325+ partner agencies have paid a small annual fee based on size. These fees helped cover costs such as warehousing and distribution. With the current economy, the Food Bank realized that many of their partner agencies were struggling financially, so the decision was made not to charge this fee. Staff at the Food Bank is looking for other ways to make up the money, totaling close to $134,000.

"Waiving the fees was a tough decision," said Cindy McCown, Senior Director of Programs and Services. "We budget for this income, but many of partner agencies are struggling to keep their doors open. Without them, we would not be able to get much-needed food out into the community."

The Food Bank's partner agencies are grateful for the help.

David Cox is Executive Director at St. Joseph’s Family Center in Gilroy. "Prior to this announcement, we would have assumed that the fees would have increased in these difficult economic times. We have always felt that the fees assessed were extremely reasonable and we were always glad to pay them. We will put the savings to good use as we continue our efforts to meet the ever-growing need of food assistance and healthy nutrition in south Santa Clara County."

Poncho Guevara is Executive Director of Sacred Heart Community Services in San Jose. "At a time where resources are stretched to the breaking point, Second Harvest has stepped up in so many ways. This latest example of leadership gives hope that we will not only weather this downturn, but together we will confront these unprecedented needs and emerge stronger."

Second Harvest is part of a network of 205 food banks nationwide working to end domestic hunger. Charging partner agency fees or a per pound fee based on the amount of food being provided is standard and is an important source of money for most food banks. On average, 18% of other food banks' income comes from these agency fees. Second Harvest has a long-standing commitment to strengthening the network of community agencies in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. This led to their important commitment, despite pressure on their own budget.

Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Joe Amato, age 93

Meet Joe Amato. At age 93, Joe tells us Amato means “to be loved” in Italian. Indeed, Joe exemplifies his name. Joe’s been volunteering with us for over 7 years. His friend Mike (now “moved upstairs” as Joe says) brought him here because Mike believed volunteering at Second Harvest was fun, good exercise and a great way to help others.

Talking to Joe is like taking a step back in history; born May 16, 1916 at home on Alma Street, Joe speaks of a time when the air and water were so pure you could ride down Almaden Road on your bike and drink water right from the curbside!

Joe’s a firm believer that when your cycle is up, it’s up – so no need to fret. “Just stay busy, help others, eat healthy. “Kelp is great for you” he advises!

Joe says volunteering at Second Harvest is great because he’s got nice people to talk to, he gets his exercise and it’s a lot of fun. You know, his friend Mike was right. Thanks Mike, for helping us and for bringing us Joe.

- Kris Sulpizio, Director of Volunteer Services

Our Tuesday Warehouse Volunteers Get the Food Out!

This morning I grabbed the camera and headed down to the San Jose warehouse to see what was going on. As it is my job to sit in front of a computer most of the day, it's really good to get out into the action once in a while.

Today, it was the Tuesday Warehouse Volunteers! This committed group really knows how to get the job done.

Loading up the Produce Mobile was no problem for them. The KidsNOW bags were filled with great ready-to-eat snacks. Our Family Harvest clients will have fresh corn, carrots, potatoes and spring onions to prepare meals with.

If you've ever been part of a food sort, you know how overwhelming the job can look at first. But with our Volunteer Coordinators plus the volunteer Team Leaders, you soon realize how it all comes together to feed our neighbors in need.

Today's morning group had volunteers from all walks of life. There were retirees working alongside high school students.

PIN (Partners in Need) program volunteers, who receive bags of food after their volunteer service, were pitching in with gusto, knowing how appreciated their efforts are.

I'm honored to work alongside these dedicated volunteers! They showcase the community spirit that keeps our organization running.

Food Bank Recognizes Brown Bag Volunteers

The Food Bank recently hosted a Brown Bag volunteer recognition party at Franklin Templeton Investment’s employee café. The space was generously donated by the company and provided a wonderful venue for the Food Bank to recognize the over 200 loyal volunteers that keep this vital program running.

The Brown Bag program provides weekly nutritious groceries to an average of 13,199 senior individuals (ages 60+) and disabled individuals (ages 55+) at 85 Santa Clara County and San Mateo County-based distribution sites.

BJ’s Restaurant at 2206 Bridgepoint Parkway in San Mateo provided the delicious food free of charge, the El Camino High Jazz combo entertained the crowd and Randy Silver donated his time and talents to capture pictures of the event.

In addition, the following merchants and Individuals provided raffle items and party supplies: AMICI’s East Cost Pizzeria, Bel Mateo Bowl, Costco Foster City, Emerald Hills Golf Course, Hobbe’s California Restaurants, The Honeybaked Ham Company, Marriot Hotels & Resort, Patxi’s Chicago Pizza, Sheraton Gateway San Francisco Airport Hotel, Starbucks Coffee Walnut St. Redwood City, Stella Alpina Osteria, Trader Joe’s San Carlos, Wegman’s Nursery, Redwood City, Barbara Gehlen, Victoria Mendiola. Thanks to everyone who helped make this event a success!

If you are interested in joining our stellar team of Brown Bag volunteers, please use the following links for more information in your county:

• Santa Clara County
• San Mateo County

In the photo is our interim CEO, Keith Flagler, thanking the volunteers for their efforts.

Warehouse Space Needed

The Food Bank is in need of 15,000+ square feet of warehouse space with at least one dock door. The space needs to be located in either Santa Clara or San Mateo Counties and will be used to store our food drive barrels, miscellaneous equipment and dry food. Since we are a non-profit, ideally, the space will be donated or made available at below market rate.

Requests for food have sky rocketed this past year. The Food Bank is currently serving an average of 207,000 people each month. This space is desperately needed to store the food and equipment used to continue to meet the increase requests for our services. Please contact Pat Ybarra at pybarra@shfoodbank.com.

Why Finger-Imaging is Bad News for Food Stamps

Bad news from Sacramento: Governor Schwarzenegger wants to not only keep the finger-imaging requirement for food stamp applicants, but expand finger-imaging to those receiving In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS).

We at Second Harvest Food Bank are deeply concerned because many of the people we serve are also participants or are eligible for these crucial safety net programs.

Second Harvest supports initiatives that would increase participation in state and federal supplemental food programs. This will relieve strain on our resources, allowing us to concentrate on those in our community who do not qualify for those programs but still meet our income guidelines (approximately 200% of the Federal Poverty Line).

WHY THIS MATTERS:
IHSS provides in-home support to elderly, blind, and disabled Californians. This helps prevent them from having to be institutionalized, which is a far more costly alternative to the state than providing services for them in their own homes. Were finger-imaging implemented for this program, participation would assuredly drop, and many more of California’s most vulnerable population would end up in nursing homes.

It has been proven that finger-imaging is a major deterrent to participation in the programs it has been applied to, namely the Food Stamp Program. This program is the main federal nutrition program and it provides credit to low-income families and individuals to be redeemed for food at participating grocery stores.

Finger-imaging makes applicants feel like criminals. Ashamed and embarrassed, many don’t sign up for food stamps, even if they need them and qualify for them.

Furthermore, getting a fingerprint done requires another trip out to government agency offices, which for many of these families means missing work. The money and time lost, and the childcare arrangements during that trip can deter those in need from seeking assistance.

What is more, finger-imaging has not been cost-effective. It is meant to deter multiple-aid fraud, but its cost far outweighs the negligible amount of benefits stolen through fraud. In this economic climate, the governor wants to expand an ineffective system that costs the state more than $8 million a year!

Click on the following links for more information on the governor’s proposal and learn how Food Stamps BOOST our economy in the following articles:

Fingerprinting rule will deter those needing help
Editorial, The San Jose Mercury News

Fairy Tales, Fraud, and Food Stamps (PDF)
California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA.net):
Read this lighthearted one-pager on the Governor's serious finger printing expansion efforts. Call the Governor (916.445.2841) and urge him to accept the Legislature’s plan to save millions to by ending finger imaging for food stamps and to abandon his efforts to fingerprint blind, elderly, and disabled Californians receiving IHSS.

Boost in Food-Stamp Funding Percolates Through Economy
The Wall Street Journal

The stimulus that actually IS working
The Dave Ross Show

Ending the Cycle of Poverty: AB 433 brings us one step closer!

AB 433 is now law!
No More Asset Test for Food Stamp Households with Children
A great victory has been achieved for families struggling to put food on the table. Food stamp households will now no longer be subject to an asset test, a crucial step to expanding participation in the Food Stamp Program, as well as helping people escape the cycle of poverty. No asset test means families can save up for things like a child’s college education or a retirement fund, without worrying that they will be cut off from Food Stamps.

Previously, assets were included in the calculation of a family’s income, which determines Food Stamp eligibility. This puts families in a very difficult situation of either trying to save for the future, or receiving food now.

This new requirement will be implemented at the county level, and counties can begin its implementation as early as July 1, 2009, but no later than January 1, 2010.

It is our understanding that San Mateo County will begin implementation on August 1, 2009.

More work is left to be done, however: The new rule applies only to households with children, excluding single adults or adults living together.

• Download a more detailed flyer on this important change (PDF)
  
• Find out more at California Food Policy Advocates

State Budget Committee Votes to Preserve CalWORKs

Good News!

On June 11th, the Budget Conference Committee voted 6 to 1 to reject the Governor's proposal to eliminate CalWORKs. The committee's vote likely ends serious attempts to eliminate the program.

The committee had a long discussion about the other CalWORKs options put forth by the Administration and the Legislative Analyst Office (LAO). The committee seemed most interested in pursuing an LAO/CWDA proposal to exempt some families with small children from work requirements thus saving child care and transportation costs. The committee also seemed poised to support a proposal to expand subsidized employment opportunities for CalWORKs recipients using federal stimulus funds.

Taken from an article from the Western Center on Law and Poverty. View the entire article

Quotes on Hunger

Our Advocacy intern, Natasha, found a wellspring of quotes on the issue of Hunger. I thought I'd share them with you and see if, in turn, you have some you would like to share with us. Please post your favorites to the comment section below and...

...may you be inspired!

There are genuinely sufficient resources in the world to ensure that no one, nowhere, at no time, should go hungry.
-- Ed Asner

Hungry people cannot be good at learning or producing anything, except perhaps violence.
-- Pearl Bailey

We are a country that prides itself on power and wealth, yet there are millions of children who go hungry every day. It is our responsibility, not only as a nation, but also as individuals, to get involved. So, next time you pass someone on the street who is in need, remember how lucky you are, and don't turn away.
-- Lesley Boone

The fact is that there is enough food in the world for everyone. But tragically, much of the world's food and land resources are tied up in producing beef and other livestock--food for the well off--while millions of children and adults suffer from malnutrition and starvation.
-- Dr.Walden Bello

The American fast food diet and the meat eating habits of the wealthy around the world support a world food system that diverts food resources from the hungry. A diet higher in whole grains and legumes and lower in beef and other meat is not just healthier for ourselves but also contributes to changing the world system that feeds some people and leaves others hungry.
-- Dr.Walden Bello

…the first essential component of social justice is adequate food for all mankind. Food is the moral right of all who are born into this world.
-- Norman Borlaug

If you desire peace, cultivate justice, but at the same time cultivate the fields to produce more bread; otherwise there will be no peace.
-- Norman Borlaug

One of the greatest feelings in the world is knowing that we as individuals can make a difference. Ending hunger in America is a goal that is literally within our grasp.
-- Jeff Bridges

35 million people in the U.S. are hungry or don't know where their next meal is coming from, and 13 million of them are children. If another country were doing this to our children, we'd be at war.
-- Jeff Bridges

Public charities, foodbanks and church pantries are doing more than ever before, but they can't keep up with the need. We can never end hunger only through the wonderful work of local charities. Like other Western democracies, we must end our national problem of hunger through national and political leadership. Charity is nice for some things, but not as a way to feed a nation. We don't protect our national security through charity, and we shouldn't protect our families and children that way either.
-- Jeff Bridges

Most of our citizenry believes that hunger only affects people who are lazy or people who are just looking for a handout, people who dont' want to work, but, sadly, that is not true. Over one-third of our hungry people are innocent children who are members of households that simply cannot provide enough food or proper nutrition. And to think of the elderly suffering from malnutrition is just too hard for most of us. Unlike Third World nations, in our country the problem is not having too little – it is about not caring enough! Write your elected representatives and promote support for the hungry.
-- Erin Brokovich

Many people think that hunger is unavoidable in any society, even a society that is blessed with great abundance. That is not true. The European community does not have widespread hunger. America, which leads the world in so many ways, can end childhood hunger within its borders.
-- Pierce Brosnan

"A hungry man can't see right or wrong. He just sees food."
-- Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973)

"Hunger makes a thief of any man."
-- Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973)

"There will never cease to be ferment in the world unless people are sure of their food."
-- Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973)

In this country that grows more food than any other nation on this earth, it is unthinkable that any child should go hungry.
-- Sela Ward, actress

The day hunger disappears, the world will see the greatest spiritual explosion humanity has ever seen.
-- Federico Garcia Lorca

Many thanks to Culture of Peace Initiative.

Cans for Kenny Chesney Contest with 95.3-KRTY

Win tickets and backstage passes to see Kenny Chesney in concert on July 18th, and feed hungry kids in the process!

During the month of June, local radio station 95.3 KRTY is challenging listeners to participate in their Cans for Kenny food drive, benefitting Second Harvest Food Bank's Share Your Lunch campaign.

The person who donates the most cans between June 1 and June 22 will win a pair of tickets to the concert and backstage passes to meet him!

6/16 Update: $1 = 2 cans in this contest!

KRTY will announce a winner on Monday June 29TH during the KRTY morning show with Gary & Julie.

All food collected will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties as part of their Share Your Lunch food and fund drive.

This annual campaign is aimed at feeding approximately 116,000* children in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties who rely on school meals five days a week during the school year. When school lets out for the summer, these children often go without having three nutritious meals a day and struggling parents turn to the Food Bank for solutions.

*According to California Food Policy Advocates

For details and official contest rules:

Visit KRTY’s Cans For Kenny page on their website.

To learn more about our Share Your Lunch campaign and how YOU can make a difference in your community, visit www.ShareYourLunch.net.

Stopped in its Tracks: Important Step Forward for Food Stamps and CalWORKS Reform

AB 1057, introduced by California Assembly member Jim Beall, Jr., was held in the Assembly fiscal committee, a victim of the state's budget crunch. The bill aims to simplify the Food Stamp and CalWORKS programs, thereby encouraging participation in these crucial social-safety net programs.

But this bill has found itself in the Assembly Appropriations Suspense file and is being held in committee. Some of reported reasons for shelving the bill stem from the current budget crisis. There are concerns, particularly among Republican officials, about the upfront costs to implementing the program, as well as the fact that the current budget proposal eliminates CalWORKS – a key program in the bill. The next likely opportunity for the bill to be debated won’t be until January of 2010 unless something in the budget can be worked out.

Thank you to all of those who have taken steps to support this legislation. The bill may be stalled for now, but we still need your help!

• Join our email list to receive updates from the Food Bank on key issues such as this one.
• Read the full article on our website

Further information about this legislation can be found at:

• Assembly member Jim Beall’s website
• California Food Policy Advocates
  

*Special thanks to Frances Chacon, Principal Consultant for Assembly member Jim Beall, Jr.

Crazy Legs Workshops for Youth – Free with food donation!

Saturday, April 18th – Alum Rock Youth Center, San Jose

The Legendary BBoy Crazy Legs of Rock Steady Crew comes to East San Jose to donate his time with the youth and give back to the community. This event is in collaboration with fitness expert and Miss NPC California Figure Champion, Mona Liza "MO" Reyes to promote physical fitness through BBOYING (break dancing) and making healthier eating choices. 

FREE Youth BBoy BGirl Workshop with the donation of (4) canned goods per participant to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank.

Workshop for Ages 9 - 13 yrs: 1 - 2:30pm

Workshop for Ages 14 - 17 yrs: 1 - 2:30pm

Visit their website for more information and to register. 

Space is limited.

UPDATE! Share Your Lunch Campaign Video Challenge - extended!

Challenge extended until March 31

Now is your chance to put your film-making skills to work and help the Food Bank at the same time. Watch this video to learn how:

REQUIREMENTS

Videos should:

• Be 60 seconds or less
  
• Communicate the message that childhood hunger is an important local issue that cannot be ignored.
  
• Include at least one “call to action” (donate, volunteer, advocate, etc.)
  
• Feel viral, memorable, and inspiring for all age groups
  
• Include the Share Your Lunch URL (www.ShareYourLunch.net) and our phone number (1-866-234-3663) on the screen during the last five seconds

Video entries must be received no later than Wednesday, March 31, 2009. Submit your DVD entry to Share Your Lunch Video Contest, 750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125. All submissions become the property of Second Harvest food Bank and will not be returned.

Benefitting the Food Bank

The holiday season may be over but the giving season never stops at the Food Bank. Most recently I received word that The Moorpark Hotel in San Jose, a Joie de Vivre Hotel, is donating to us $5.00 for every room booked through March 31st. 

According to the Moorpark’s Sr. Sale Manager, Tina Walters, all the Joie de Vivre Hotels create local relationships with non-profit organizations like ours so they can give back to the community throughout the year. 

Reservations can be made at www.moorparkhotel.com. Rooms booked through the website automatically qualify for the donation. The Food Bank gets $5.00 per night, per room, so feel free to reserve multiple nights! 

Do enjoy good food and wine? Indulge yourself and help the Food Bank at the same time. 

Vivace Ristorante located at 1910 Ralston Ave in Belmont will be donating to the Food Bank 5% of the gross sales from their series of wine dinners. The first of the series is being held on Monday, February 23rd at 6pm. The dinner includes a five course meal paired with wines from Hess Winery of Napa. Details can be found on their website at: www.vivacerestaurant.com. To make a reservation, email Mike Gunn at mike@vivacerestaurant.com. 

Be sure to visit the events section on our website for more way to support the Food Bank and have fun in the process. 

Nutrition Funding At Risk In Senate Economic Recovery Package--Urgent Action Needed

A proposed amendment to the Senate version of the economic recovery package could put hunger relief programs on the chopping block.  A group of moderate Democrats and conservative Senators, opposed to the rapidly rising price tag of the legislation, have offered an amendment that cuts most of the funding for nutrition programs such as Food Stamps/SNAP and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) out of the legislation.  Removing these programs from the recovery package could be devastating to low-income Americans and the food banks that serve them.  They could vote as early as tonight!

Time is running out.

The Senate could be on the verge of voting on this amendment.  It is up to the anti-hunger community to stand up for hungry Americans.  And we need to act fast.   

You can help by calling the Senate switchboard right now at 202-224-3121, and you will be connected to your Senators' office.  If the switchboard is busy, follow the link and dial your Senators' office directly.

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Tell your Senators to oppose any efforts to reduce the bill's planned investments in nutrition programs.  Hungry Americans deserve an economic recovery package that at the very least includes the funding for nutrition assistance that was in the Committee bill.

The Senate could vote as early as Friday evening, so call your Senators now!!

Successful "Renewing America Together" community food sort

In the spirit of national collaboration, President-elect Obama called upon all Americans to join forces for “Renewing America Together” — a national day of service in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.  At the invitation of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, Feeding America asked local Food Banks to consider hosting “events” to continue to support his campaign pledge to fight hunger in America and end childhood hunger by 2015.

This past Saturday, we hosted a special food sort at the San Jose facility that brought our community together to learn about and support our mission.

We started the morning off with an address from address from Assembly Member Jim Beall Jr., who shared his insights on the impacts of the California budget on low-income residents and made suggestions on how people could take action. 

Mark Bregman, EVP and CTO, Symantec, addressed the crowd, encouraging them to become involved to support food security.  He reminded them that they can be part of change within their community. 

The food sort consisted of close to 100 volunteers bagging apples for distribution on Tuesday. After bagging, participants watched a new video about Second Harvest created by Intel volunteers, and then toured the facility, saw displays of what a typical Family Harvest Program participant family would receive, and saw maps of our service area. 

Our guests had a great time.  They ranged from about 14 years old into their 80’s.  They were excited and energized.  For many, this was the first time they had been to the Food Bank!   

It is so exciting to see our community pull together with a renewed sense of commitment. Thank you to everyone who helped make our Day of Service so rewarding!

Pictured above is Assembly Member Jim Beall Jr. and Mark Bregman, EVP and CTO, Symantec. We were honored to have them speak at the event.

January eNewsletter - get inspired to make an impact in 2009!

I wanted to let everyone know that we just sent out the latest edition of our monthly e-Newsletter. This publication typically features Food Bank updates and information about our upcoming campaigns, advocacy related information, volunteer highlights and community events. 

As most of you know, 2008 was particularly challenging for the Food Bank, but it was inspiring to see how the community rallied to help fight local hunger and keep food on the tables of those in need. In the January issue, you will learn how to make 2009 our most impactful year to-date. 

View the latest edition

Sign up to receive our monthly e-Newsletter 

Mobile Marketing Firm Supports Food Bank

As our Holiday Food & Fund Drive wraps up, I continue to receive tid bits of information related to the many, many creative ways that community members used to promote the drive and/or solicit donations during the season.

Apptera, a mobile marketing firm in San Bruno, distributed an electronic holiday thank you card to their clients. The card was actually an interactive game where players assisted “Bobby” with locating his lost holiday wish list.

After helping Bobby with this task, participants were asked to select their favorite charity from a predetermined list, of which Second Harvest was a part.

I was happy to hear that Second Harvest was selected as the charity of choice by Apptera clients prompting the company to donate $1,000 to the Food Bank.  Thanks to Apptera and everyone in our community for their support this holiday season!

Pictured in the photo from left to right: Henry Vogel, President and CEO and Randy Haldeman, CMO of Apptera along with their kids plus Rhys, the ‘voice of Bobby’.