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01/06/2012 by Kourtnee Kovacs, PR Manager | Comments (1)
When Barney Kroger began donating loaves of bread to the poor each week in the early days of his business, Kroger’s long history of fighting hunger in the communities it serves was born. Since 2006, Kroger & Ralphs have raised significant funds through their Bringing Hope to the Table annual in store campaign, bringing key supplier partners and customers into their efforts.
Since its launch in 2006, the program has generated $18 million in funds and $7 million in food, all of which goes directly to food banks working in Kroger communities. These funds help food banks purchase new trucks, refrigeration equipment, computers and other resources critical to their mission.
“Now more than ever, food banks and other hunger organizations are stressed and stretched,” said Donna Giordano, President of Ralphs Supermarkets. “People who have never been in need before have been hurt by the difficult economy and they are struggling to meet their families’ basic food needs.”
In addition to supporting Second Harvest Food Bank through their annual Bringing Hope to the Table campaign, Ralphs has also been a long time supporter of the Food Bank by donating numerous gifts to support our special events, and by allowing their employees to donate their time in our warehouse or harvesting crops at the Incredible Edible Park.
Thank you to Ralphs for their continued committed and support of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. We truly appreciate their partnership!
Join the Bringing Hope to the Table Campaign
Ralphs is also currently accepting cash donations for hunger relief in the collection canisters located at the checkstands in its stores
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12/13/2011 by Kourtnee Kovacs, PR Manager | Comments (1)
The Jr. League of Orange County has been a partner to Second Harvest and our Backpack program for three years now. They have been a significant financial contributor to our program, helping Second Harvest provide for 2218 backpacks to children in low-income communities, and have helped Second Harvest add a nutrition element to our program. Currently the Jr. League is creating a nutrition component to go with our backpacks to educate children about nutrition. In addition the Jr. League held a cooking class for our backpack sites earlier in the year, to teach families how to cook nutritionally balanced, health-conscious meals that are packed with flavor.
The Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc., is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
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12/06/2011 by | Comments (0)
Forbes names Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County’s National Partner Feeding America as Nation’s Third Largest Charity
Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County is proud to be a member of Feeing America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, which recently ranked 3rd on Forbes Magazine's list of "The 200 Largest U.S. Charities" for 2011. The Feeding America network provides food to nearly 40 million Americans every year by assisting member food banks with food sourcing, funding, logistical, and technical support. Feeding America was recognized for its fundraising efficiency rating of 98%, well above the national average of 86%, and for the amount of donations received in the latest fiscal year, during which Feeding America received more than $1.1 billion in private cash and in-kind support. Thanks to innovative campaigns and an aggressive expansion strategy led by CEO Vicki Escarra, Feeding America experienced significant growth even during the economic downturn.
From partnership with Feeding America, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and the network’s other local members are not only able to secure food from large corporate manufactures and retailers, but also access to funding from corporate and foundation donors to spur local innovation. Additionally, with Feeding America’s support, Second Harvest is able to implement best practices to uphold the highest standards for food safety, fiscal responsibility and efficiency, and be part of a national movement encouraging effective anti-hunger government programs and inspiring individuals to take action for hunger relief. Due in part to Feeding America’s ongoing support, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County has increased its food distribution each consecutive year since 2005, reaching nearly 17 million pounds distributed last year.
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10/18/2011 by Erin Davis, Grant Writer | Comments (0)
It isn’t often I get a chance to get out of the office, into the community, and meet with the people that Second Harvest helps. Last week, though, I had an opportunity to interview a handful of older individuals at senior apartment complex in Stanton, and I had a blast. The apartment community hosts a weekly food distribution for residents, and my contact, Ted, not only coordinates the distribution, but also benefits from it. Ted, very thoughtfully, gathered a handful of what he called “his backbone” people—the ones that help out the most with the food pass-out.
We sat around a table in the recreation room on the second floor, Ted served coffee, and we chatted about their lives for an hour or so. They talked about their circumstances, and what led them to needing help with food. All of the individuals were low-income; most were on social security, and a few were on disability. A couple of them described living in motels before they moved into their apartments. They all have a hard time making ends meet, and depend on the food from Second Harvest to help out.
Other residents walked in and out of the recreation room during our conversation, and they were all invited to sit at the table with us. I could tell the shared experiences among the group had bonded them, and they genuinely cared for each other. They looked out for each other’s well-being. They are the very “people in need” I write about in grants, the ones that don’t have enough of anything, yet the sense of community they have cultivated at the apartment complex is something that many of us don’t have. A heartfelt thanks to Ted, Donna, Cindy, Kathleen, and Lynn, for being so open and willing to share their stories with me. I walked away from our meeting inspired, motivated, and grateful for everything I can call mine.
I think I need to get out of the office more often.
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09/26/2011 by Meredith Fay, Marketing Manager | Comments (0)
Think hunger only happens to other people? Even longtime donors and volunteers are now turning to our agencies for help.
One member agency, the Southwest Minority Economic Development Association (SMEDA), recently shared a story about a volunteer-turned-client: "After volunteering for us for many years, Ms. Jones' husbands' hours were reduced at work so her family has been coming for our breakfast and lunch program. Ms. Jones is in need but she thinks of others first by telling about our many services. Tough times hit all of us one time or another."
Hunger hits home more often than you might think. Many of those who never expected to need help are now struggling to make ends meet in the wake of the recession. Ms. Jones' story is worth remembering as we head into the holiday season, giving thanks for what we have and remembering our many hard-working neighbors who need a hand up to weather these difficult times.