Meet Stephanie Harrington: Donor Relations & Special Events

Food insecurity and hunger has weighed on my heart for years. I see people all the time who may be unhoused or look so hungry and so tired, and I know there is not much I can do. Being a part of Second Harvest allows me to help in a real, tangible way.

Prior to my role at Second Harvest, I spent time at Share Ourselves, a healthcare organization that provides comprehensive health and support services for the entire community and one of Second Harvest’s Partner pantries.

Coming to Second Harvest was so interesting. I remember thinking – this place is so cool. This is where the food I served at the Share Ourselves pantry was coming from. I felt a feeling of home.

What do you enjoy most about working at Second Harvest?
I love everyone’s dedication to addressing food insecurity. The way my co-workers truly care. Not just by saying it, but living it out and meaning it. You can literally see it in the work, in the details and in the intentionality behind everything they do. The people that work at Second Harvest come here for a reason, and you can feel that. It’s something truly special.

I also really enjoy the collaboration between departments for events and in other areas. It feels like you are a part of a family being an employee here.

Follow-up: Is there a favorite memory or moment that reflects why this work matters to you?
My first mission meeting (AKA all-staff meeting) blew me away. I had never been to something that like that. Everyone was excited to be there and people were paying attention, especially to our CEO Claudia’s inspiring words. I get the chills when the entire Second Harvest team comes together for events like holiday gatherings and mission meetings.

In your Donor Relations & Special Events role, what events are you responsible for planning? What goes into bringing these events to life and creating a meaningful experience for attendees?
I plan Second Harvest’s annual events: “No Lunch” Lunch and the Walk to Feed OC.

There is a lot that goes into bringing these events to life. First, there are the logistics – making sure we have things like vendors and permits squared away.

Beyond that, while I am in the planning process, I always make it a priority to put myself in the guests’ shoes and really focus on the attendee and volunteer experience. This process really helps guide a lot of my decisions around what attendees might enjoy or relate to and what will create a meaningful experience. One area I really focus on is the volunteer experience. Our events would not be successful without our amazing volutneers. We are so grateful for their time and always try to show our appreciation to them by making their experience as fun and comfortable as possible.

There is also a lot of trial and error in event planning, which can be a little scary, but it’s all part of the process and helps us grow. If something didn’t work well this year, we can learn from it and try something else next year.

How do events help connect people more deeply to the work happening every day at Second Harvest?
By attending our events, the community gets a better picture of the care and thought involved with everything we do. At “No Lunch” Lunch, guests get to hear from those we serve as well as from our CEO, Claudia, who speaks with so much thoughtfulness and respect. It really brings everything to life in a powerful way.

When you go to an event, you start to feel part of the community of the people that are there for that cause. I know through past events I’ve been to, when you become a part of an event and hear the impact of what you can do, it connects you to the cause.

Additionally, people feel confident in supporting us because of the professionalism of and organization of our events. We pay attention to every little detail.

Now lets talk about the Walk to Feed OC specifically, which is happening this month! How does this event support Second Harvest’s mission in a tangible way? 
Oh gosh, yes! It’s actually this weekend! The support we receive from sponsors, walkers, fundraisers and our generous donor community goes right back out into the community. It helps provide nutritious food to those who need it most and supports the day-to-day work of getting that food out efficiently and with care.

While it is a fundraising event, it broadens the Second Harvest community in a different way than any of our others events. Because it’s free and open to everyone, there are no barriers to participation. We truly want the entire community to get involved.

What excites you most about this year’s Walk to Feed OC?
I love seeing it all come together, especially watching Tanaka Farms fill up with people and feeling the energy build. Seeing the excitement on kids’ faces at the carnival booths, the adults getting into the warm-up music and just having so many people in one place for one cause. It’s honestly one of the coolest things I have seen. And I truly mean that.

For someone who hasn’t participated before, how would you describe the Walk to Feed OC experience?
It’s a really special experience. Tanaka Farms is such a staple in our community. So many of us have memories of taking our kids there for different holidays, so having the Walk there makes it even more meaningful. There is a lot of energy, it is a lot of fun, and it is also really heartwarming to see hundreds of people waking up early to come together and support their community. There are families with their kids laughing, companies wearing their matching shirts, volunteers and staff clapping and cheering for participants. It’s really a feel good morning.

How can people get involved in The Walk to Feed OC?
You can register to join us at Tanaka Farms, sign up to fundraise, or even just spread the word and invite others.

Follow-up: What would you say to someone who is thinking about joining but hasn’t signed up yet?
I would say, get out your phone and register right now; it is free, it is so fun, and you will even get your steps in!

For those who can’t attend in person, how can they still be part of Walk to Feed OC?
You can still participate by donating online, becoming a fundraiser, forming a virtual team, or sharing about the event on social media.

In your role, you are also responsible for overseeing Second Harvest’s annual “No Lunch” Lunch event. For someone new to Second Harvest, how would you describe “No Lunch” Lunch?
I love “No Lunch” Lunch. Attending “No Lunch” Lunch is one of the best ways to really learn about Second Harvest and see what the organization is all about. It takes place onsite right in our Distribution Center.

It’s not a fancy event; it is very simple. Antonello’s Ristorante sponsors the event by providing their famous minestrone soup and focaccia bread. It is so yummy and you can get seconds, which I totally do. We also serve salads from Bracken’s Kitchen. I am not sure if you have ever had their salad dressing, but it is so good. I keep trying to recreate it and I can’t.

We have a short program but what makes it so impactful is when our CEO, Claudia, shares a “State of the Food Bank” which really gives the guests a clear understanding of the impact of their support and the reality of food insecurity in our community.

Follow-up: What makes that event unique ?
“No Lunch” Lunch is a fundraiser, but also a stewardship event. It’s a great opportunity to get our supporters together and thank them for their generosity.

The event brings together community partners, elected officials, donors and friends of the Food Bank. It is a long standing tradition in the community that everyone looks forward to in November each year. This year the event will take place on Tuesday, November 17.