Second Harvest News

Grand Rapids Food Shelf Kicks Off Annual March Campaign

2012-03-02T09:18:00.000-06:00

February 23rd, Grand Rapids, MN – Throughout the month of March, the Grand Rapids Food Shelf is joining with over 300 food shelves across Minnesota to collect donations of money and food. These donations will support local efforts to help feed people in need and reduce hunger in our community. When congregations, businesses, schools or service clubs participate in the March FoodShare Campaign, the Food Shelf will make sure that the food and funds collected provides hunger assistance for people in our community who need it most.

This year, the theme of the Grand Rapids Food Shelf’s March FoodShare Campaign is “Be a Hunger Hero.” “Due to the reality that one out of nine families in the greater Grand Rapids area turns to us for assistance, the need is greater than ever,” according to Ellen Christmas, Program Manager of the Grand Rapids Food Shelf. “In order to keep the shelves stocked and meet the need, we count on local support to provide food and hope to many families trying to keep food on the table. Every effort or contribution, large or small, helps us to continue to feed people. March is the time of year we can leverage additional dollars for the food shelf through donations because of the FoodShare Campaign and the Feinstein Challenge,” she added.

In 2011, the Food Shelf distributed food to over 2,500 individuals every month. Our current resources cannot meet need for the increasing number of families turning to us for help. That is why we are asking for generous support from the entire community. Every March, Minnesota FoodShare, a program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, organizes Minnesota's largest food and fund drive for the hungry. FoodShare is a grass-roots driven food and fund drive that raises awareness about hunger in Minnesota where statistics show 1 in 4 Itasca county children do not have enough food to eat. All food and funds contributed locally stay in the area but are counted towards the statewide goal of 12 million pounds and dollars.

There are many ways to become a Hunger Hero; donate to your local food shelf, host a food drive, or become a hunger relief advocate by taking action to end hunger.

For more information contact Program Manager, Ellen Christmas at 218.326.4420 or exmas@secondharvestncfb.com.

March is Minnesota FoodShare Month

2012-02-27T11:36:00.000-06:00

Thank you Britta, for a great kick off article.
Read the article here: http://www.grandrapidsmn.com/news/article_65c94a34-5f3d-11e1-b32d-001871e3ce6c.html

MinnPost - Hunger campaign targets new poor and the elderly

2012-02-13T09:30:00.000-06:00

A new SNAP awareness campaign kicks off next week. Check out this great article for more info.
MinnPost - Hunger campaign targets new poor and the elderly

USDA Announces Latest Actions to Combat Fraud and Enhance SNAP Program Integrity

2012-02-06T10:43:00.000-06:00

Strengthened Measures Help Fight Fraud in Nation's Most Critical Nutrition Assistance Program

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2012 – USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced first quarter results for fiscal year 2012 in the effort to identify and eliminate fraudulent retailers from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). From October 1 through December 31, 2011, USDA staff took final actions to:
• Sanction, through fines or temporary disqualifications, more than 225 stores found violating program rules; and
• Permanently disqualify over 350 stores for trafficking in SNAP benefits (i.e. exchanging SNAP benefits for cash).
These enforcement actions are part of the Obama Administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste and root out fraud and abuse in federal programs, including SNAP. While fraud is a relatively limited problem in SNAP – the violating stores represent less than ½ of one percent of more than 230,000 food stores authorized to redeem benefits – no level of fraud is tolerated. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service conducts ongoing surveillance and investigation, to find bad actors and remove them from the program. In fiscal year 2011, FNS reviewed over 15,000 stores, and permanently disqualified over 1,200 for program violations.

"I'm pleased to report today to American taxpayers the first quarter results of our anti-fraud efforts in 2012," said Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon. "Americans expect and deserve a government that ensures their hard-earned tax dollars are managed with accountability and integrity. We are committed to ensuring these dollars are spent as intended - helping millions of people in need through tough economic times until they can get back on their feet."

USDA is building upon strategies recently announced to further strengthen anti-fraud efforts in the retailer application process. To help reduce the number of disqualified stores that return to the program by falsifying information in their applications, USDA is announcing new measures to strengthen the program:
• Increasing documentation required for high-risk stores applying to redeem SNAP benefits to better verify their identity and assure their business integrity. High-risk stores are those located at the site of a previous disqualification.
• Verifying high-risk stores to confirm application information. High-risk stores are those located at the site of a previous disqualification. Store owners found to have falsified information with the intent to hide ownership or past violations will be charged, disqualified and may be liable for a $10,000 fine or imprisonment for as long as 5 years or both.
• Continuing to notify state departments and federal agency partners about violators to better protect our public programs. This includes information on program recipients with suspicious transactions at stores known to be trafficking for further investigation by States.
In addition, USDA will soon publish a proposed rule strengthening sanctions and penalties for retailers who commit fraud in SNAP. USDA's new Fighting SNAP Fraud website ( www.fns.usda.gov/fightingsnapfraud) will also help raise awareness of the issues and provide a direct portal to report suspicious activities.

"Fraud is not a static concept – we know that where there is a will to commit malfeasance, bad actors will try to find a way," said Concannon. "That's why USDA is constantly striving to stay ahead of the curve. The comparison I frequently make is in the area of cyber security. The need for continuously updating information security measures is frequently noted in the private sector, because hackers and other bad actors are always looking for ways to exploit systems."

"However, it is important not to demonize SNAP participants and retailers when referencing fraud because the vast majority of people participating in the program, both retailers and SNAP participants, abide by the rules. Our goal is to eliminate fraud and we will continue to crack down on individuals who violate the program and misuse taxpayer dollars," Concannon noted.

Concannon announced new anti-fraud activities in December. Today's announcement continues the USDA's commitment to promote integrity in SNAP, in order to assure the public's confidence in this critical nutrition assistance program that serves over 46 million low-income and working Americans.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that in addition to SNAP include the National School Lunch Programs, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Summer Food Service Program. Taken together, these programs serve as America's nutrition safety net.

Program fraud complaints of any kind may be filed with the USDA Office of Inspector General; contact information is found at: http://www.usda.gov/oig/hotline.htm. Fraud may also be reported to the appropriate States. Phone numbers are available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/fraud.pdf.

Enough for All Event scheduled for January 18th and 19th

2012-01-17T17:02:00.000-06:00

The Enough for All Campaign is a series of multifaceted events, held in several congressional districts in Minnesota. Each event focuses on learning and building awareness on the realities of poverty, local community engagement with elected officials, visual and performance art on the theme of Enough for All, and a call to action. The common thread throughout the campaign is this theme: "We believe there is enough for all to have enough, if we all do our part."

Two events will be held in Itasca County. The first event will be held on Wednesday, January 18^th from 6-8:00pm. It will start at the Myles Reif Performing Arts Center at 6:00pm. Members of Circles of Support will take the stage for a moving performance illustrating their experience of living in poverty through words, lights, and sound. After the performance, at 7:15pm, there will be a reception at the MacRostie Art Center featuring a traveling art exhibit depicting “Enough for All,” which is artistic expressions from local students of what “Enough for All” means. The second event will be held on January 19^th, from 4-8:00pm at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grand Rapids. This event will start out with learning stations where attendees can learn about poverty and resources for ending poverty, followed by a rice bar meal. At 6:00, there will be a poverty analysis, followed by a panel discussion with area legislators at 6:30. At 7:30, a Minnesota Church Ladies video will be shown, followed by a call to action at 7:45. These events are being sponsored by A Minnesota Without Poverty, KOOTASCA Community Action, Circles of Support, Blandin Foundation, MacRostie Art Center, ElderCircle, KAXE and Second Harvest North Central Food Bank.

Both of these events are free and open to the public. Free childcare will be provided on Thursday, January 19, 2012. To reserve a spot for dinner and/or childcare or for more information, please call Kootasca at 218-999-5883.

Lt. Gov. Prettner Solon announces food support coalition

2012-01-11T08:53:00.000-06:00

St. Paul, MN – Recognizing the growing need for Minnesotans, particularly seniors, to eat nutritiously to maintain their health, Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon announced the launch of the Minnesota Nutritious Food Coalition, a public-private partnership to raise awareness and increase participation in the federal Food Support program, and provide guidance on means of better serving Minnesotans in need of healthy food. Gov. Mark Dayton also proclaimed January Food Support and Nutrition Outreach Month.

The coalition, comprised of experts from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, University of Minnesota Extension, Greater Twin Cities United Way, Second Harvest Heartland, Hunger Solutions Minnesota, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota Grocers Association, General Mills Foundation, counties and numerous other state, business, nonprofit and community partners, met today, and will meet quarterly thereafter. Their main charge will be to address food access issues, increase participation in the federally funded Food Support program, identify barriers and areas for expansion, and develop a coordinated outreach effort to ensure all Minnesotans who are eligible for the program have an opportunity to apply for it.

An increasing number of low-income Minnesotans are using food shelves and Food Support, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as Food Stamps. In addition to the health benefits, Food Support is also a significant asset to the economy, as it generates $1.73 of economic activity for every $1 that is spent.

“More than 500,000 Minnesotans access Food Support benefits monthly,” said Lieutenant Governor Prettner Solon, who was instrumental in launching the coalition. “Yet, many more, particularly seniors, are eligible for the program. The guidance, work and support of this coalition will encourage more Minnesotans to take advantage of this program so they can get the nutritious food needed for a healthy lifestyle, not to mention strengthen our local economy.”

Currently, only 65 percent of eligible Minnesotans and 41 percent of eligible seniors, age 60 and over, receive Food Support benefits.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services, which is responsible for the Food Support program in Minnesota, and its partners currently are working to:

• Educate communities about the purpose and use of Food Support
• Increase access to program information and application assistance
• Increase participation, especially among the working poor and seniors
• Share information among outreach agencies about the nutrition benefits, program details and application processes to help those eligible make informed decisions.
• Provide nutrition education programming in schools and community settings by University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota Chippewa Tribe nutrition education instructors who focus on stretching food dollars and making healthy choices.

The coalition will bring these efforts together in a coordinated, cohesive effort, according to Lieutenant Governor Prettner Solon. The benefits of doing so are manifold, she noted, and will include:
More participation in the Food Support program, which offers needed nutrition to low-income Minnesotans, which benefits:

Seniors who, with healthy diets, can live independently in their own homes longer rather than in long-term care facilities.
Children, who, when well-nourished, have better school attendance and are more focused on learning.
All participants who can now access Food Support at many farmers markets throughout the state to purchase fresh, local produce at a low cost

• An economic boost, creating ripples throughout the economy when new Food Support benefits are redeemed:

New Food Support benefits trigger labor and production demand, ultimately increasing household income and triggering additional spending
Businesses, including grocery stores and farmers markets, that sell food to Food Support recipients benefit.

• Employees whose food needs are met at home may have higher productivity and take fewer sick days for themselves and their children, according to the USDA.

The department has already implemented legislation and taken steps to improve access for Food Support applicants, including:
• Eliminating the asset limit to qualify for Food Support
• Changing the income limit from 130 percent to 165 percent of the federal poverty guideline
• Shortening and simplifying the application, and providing help to those who want it
• Offering a telephone interview as an option during the application process to make it easier for applicants
• Increasing accessibility via an online application, which is in development
• Providing technical assistance to counties working with recipients and applicants
• Coordinating with partners, including General Mills, Hunger Solutions Minnesota and Hunger-Free Minnesota, to develop and implement a statewide outreach campaign designed to increase participation within the senior and newly eligible populations.

“Collaboration among the Minnesota Nutritious Food Coalition members is the key to this effort,” said Lieutenant Governor Prettner Solon. “By combining our efforts at the national, state and local level with leaders in nonprofit community agencies, businesses and all others who touch the lives of potentially eligible Food Support recipients, we can increase Food Support use. That’s good for low-income Minnesotans, good for businesses and good for our economy.”

Minnesota Food Bank Deliveries Up 42% in Three Years

2012-01-04T09:32:00.000-06:00

Creativity and Capacity Growth Help Meet Rising Food Assistance Needs

Minneapolis, (January 4, 2012) Hunger-Free Minnesota (www.hungerfreemn.org) announced that its six food bank partners across the state increased their total deliveries of food by 42 percent over a three-year period. The six large Feeding America food banks delivered a total of 61.3 million pounds of food in 2010 to food shelves, food pantries and other food service agencies, compared with 43.1 million pounds in 2008. This data was compiled by EnSearch, Inc., with the support of Hunger Solutions and the six regional Feeding America food banks that are part of the Hunger-Free Minnesota coalition.

“Clearly, the food banks in Minnesota have done an exceptional job of increasing their capacity in the face of rising demand,” said Ellie Lucas, chief campaign officer of Hunger-Free Minnesota. “However, the food banks also need more resources to continue at this level. Data compiled for Hunger-Free Minnesota shows that there are children and adults who are regularly missing meals in every county of the state. As a coalition, we urge people to fight hunger where they live and to donate to local food banks.”

Data compiled by Hunger-Free Minnesota also shows that food banks have become a larger percentage of the sourced food for all food shelves and food-serving agencies. At the North Country Food Bank, Inc., in Crookston, food distribution increased by 79 percent. This year, the food bank opened a new food shelf in Crookston to provide a more convenient location for many in need. North Country Food Bank delivers to more than 150 direct food service locations but some are not open every day. Lack of transportation is often a barrier for those in poverty who can’t travel long distances.

Second Harvest Heartland in St. Paul and Channel One, Inc., in Rochester are two of the food banks that have expanded distribution to increase access and to reach those who may never go to a food shelf. They are delivering food to food shelves and food pantries, but also distribute food to their School Pantry and Summer Food Service Programs, which provide food to children during non-school hours. Second Harvest Heartland also delivers to other food banks in the state, leveraging its significant purchasing power, large storage facilities and well-developed transportation and logistics systems.

Shaye Moris, Executive Director of Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, said the food bank in Duluth has worked hard to increase food rescue at institutions and grocery retailers. “When school systems or retailers have lower-than-expected demand, it’s critical that we’re ready to immediately pick up that excess food. We then redistribute it safely to help those who really need food assistance. It’s so important that we don’t waste fresh food when so many families and adults are going without meals in our state,” said Moris.

The Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank has added a new refrigerated truck designated for a large statewide food retailer capable of large-volume donations. The food bank has also expanded its warehouse significantly through a grant for increased capacity. It also leverages scarce resources by using the normally empty backhaul route of a local trucking company that makes regular deliveries to the Twin Cities.
“These are some examples of the ingenuity our partner food banks employed in increasing their abilities to meet the needs of hungry Minnesotans,” Lucas added.

Hunger-Free Minnesota is coalition of community leaders and citizens, nonprofit agencies, food banks, food shelves and corporate partners including Hormel Foods, General Mills, Cargill, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, and others. The coalition encourages individuals and organizations to “Fight Hunger Where You Live.”

More information on how to get involved in fighting hunger can be found at the website http://www.hungerfreemn.com/.
Data Sources
Data compiled by Dr. Stacey Stockdill, EnSearch, Inc., for Hunger-Free Minnesota from data provided by Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank and Hunger Solutions.

Resources
http://www.hungerfreemn.org/news/media-center (Localized food bank data)
Minnesota’s Feeding America Food Banks:
Channel One, Inc., Rochester http://www.channel-one.org/
Great Plains Food Bank, Fargo-Moorhead http://www.lssnd.org/greatplainsfoodbank
North Country Food Bank, Crookston http://northcountryfoodbank.org/ Second Harvest Heartland, Twin Cities http://www.2harvest.org
Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, Grand Rapids http://secondharvestncfb.com/
Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, Duluth http://www.northernlakesfoodbank.org/

MinnPost - What's the cost of letting the poor go hungry?

2011-12-21T13:13:00.000-06:00

MinnPost - What's the cost of letting the poor go hungry?

Minn. food shelves prefer cash to cans | Minnesota Public Radio News

2011-12-19T09:25:00.000-06:00

Checkout this great read by Julie Siple.
Minn. food shelves prefer cash to cans Minnesota Public Radio News

Itasca Holiday Program Toy Donations Needed

2011-12-08T11:17:00.000-06:00

Due to the overwhelming need in our community this year, Second Harvest is reporting that donations of toys for the Itasca Holiday Program recipient families are running below previous years. More than 1800 gift bags will be filled on Saturday, December 17th but at this time, there aren’t enough donated gifts to provide each referred child with at least one item.
“There is only one week left for toy collection and our bins are only half full of what we will need to provide for the qualified families next Saturday,” says Sue Estee, Second Harvest Executive Director. “Just when we have desperate families with nothing to give to their children for Christmas, people who have been able to donate in the past are cutting back on their own holiday shopping.” The result will be that the gift portion of the Itasca Holiday Program will have to scale back on what can be added to the toy bags and some children may be left out.

Toy donations are being collected at many local businesses and churches. Donations can be dropped at any of the red and green gingerbread giving tree locations, Toys for Tots locations or brought directly out to Second Harvest during regular business hours. The deadline for toy donations is Friday, December 16th at 5pm.

The primary component of the Itasca Holiday Program is a special food box containing traditional holiday foods and other items to provide for several additional meals. A $15 grocery voucher is included for a holiday turkey or other food item that the family would like. Funds are still needed to provide for the food that needs to be purchased to fill 1700 food boxes.

For more information about how to help Second Harvest’s annual Itasca Holiday Program, call 218.326.4420 or visit www.secondharvestncfb.com.

Second Harvest North Central Food Bank serves 145 hunger relief agencies in Koochiching, Itasca, Cass, Aitkin, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties. Almost 4 million pounds of food and grocery products were distributed directly to clients or through member agencies in 2010. For more information regarding Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, visit www.secondharvestncfb.com or call 218.326.4420.

Feeding Hope

2011-12-07T14:06:00.002-06:00

This is the time of year that many people become stressed over all the additional obligations the holidays bring on, such as shopping, baking, parties etc. But many people in our community are under continual stress to meet their basic needs. Mothers go without food in order to feed their children. Seniors have to choose between medicine and meals. Dads have to decide whether to pay the heat bill or eat dinner. People in our community make these hard choices every day.

Second Harvest and our local food shelves and related hunger relief organizations work hard every day to help our struggling friends and neighbors meet their basic need for food. These organizations are also struggling to meet the increasing need at the same time that the donated food supply from the food industry and government commodities is dwindling and purchased food costs more to acquire. The numbers of households coming to local food shelves for assistance is up 13% over the same time last year. Since 2008, the numbers of households coming for help is up over 34%! It is a “perfect storm” of increased need in our community and decreased resources to meet those needs. Despite these challenges, we at Second Harvest are doing our best to bring in enough food to fill the missing meal gap for struggling local families.

As you sit down to a holiday meal or rush around shopping for your loved ones, remember there are many in our community who don’t have the means to enjoy the season. Thanks to the support of this caring community, Second Harvest is able to help those kids, seniors and struggling families. Together we are feeding hope.

The disgraceful state of “food insecurity” in America

2011-11-03T11:01:00.000-05:00

A good read and explaination of Second Harvest North Central Food Bank's affiliation with Feeding America. Click below.

The disgraceful state of “food insecurity” in America

Scaling Up Access to Local Food Workshop

2011-10-25T15:55:00.000-05:00

All residents of northeastern Minnesota who are interested in local food and food access are invited to a workshop on Tuesday, November 1st from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Itasca Community College and the University of Minnesota’s North Central Research and Outreach Center. Farmers, farmers’ market staff, and agency and non-profit staff who work on issues of health and food access are especially encouraged to attend.

Learn how food assistance programs like Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) can include locally grown foods. Hear about innovative ways that people across the region and across the country are using to connect local food supply (farmers and farmers’ markets) with low-income people who need and want healthy, local food. Network with diverse participants from across our northeast region. New ideas and new partnerships will be forged at this workshop! Together, we can build more and better channels for locally grown food to reach the hands of those who need it.

Presenters will include Rebecca Fee of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, talking about the Blue Cross “Market Bucks” program that expands SNAP customers' purchasing power at farmers’ markets. Deonna Bouska of Minnesota Farmers Market Association (MFMA) will provide training for farmers’ market staff and vendors as well as for individual farmers on how to become certified to accept SNAP benefits (food stamps) from consumers. Carol Milligan of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will be joined by staff from Itasca County Public Health to discuss the ins and outs of food assistance programs: how they work, who is eligible, and more. Community Action Duluth will lead a session on community food access, focused on how to connect low-income consumers with local food.

A delicious local food meal will be served in the ICC Dining Center. Cost of the workshop, including the meal, is $10. Thanks to the generous support of Blue Cross, that fee is waived for the first 100 people to register. Also through Blue Cross support, travel scholarships of $25 are available for up to 40 participants. Find the registration form and brochure online at www.misa.umn.edu; or contact Jane Grimsbo Jewett to register: jewet006@umn.edu, 218-845-2832.

The workshop is sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association), Minnesota Farmers Market Association, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Minnesota North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, and the University of Minnesota’s North Central Research and Outreach Center.

Study: Food Assistance Shifts from “Emergency” To “Chronic”

2011-10-24T09:14:00.000-05:00

A new study, Food Banks: Hunger’s New Staple, released today by Feeding America finds that many Americans chronically depend on food pantries and other charitable food services to feed themselves and their families. The study provides an inaugural in-depth look at the frequency and duration in which low-income families seek food assistance from food banks and the agencies they serve.

Food Banks: Hunger’s New Staple study found emergency food from pantries is no longer being used to meet temporary acute food needs – instead, for the majority of people seeking food assistance, food pantries are now a part of households’ long term strategies to supplement monthly shortfalls in food.

The guiding analysis plan for this study involved the utilization of a pantry frequency question among clients surveyed for the Hunger in America 2010 project. Feeding America is comprised of more than 200 food banks that provide food and groceries to more than 61,000 agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding sites.

“Feeding America was created to ensure individuals and families had access to food in an emergency. This study confirms a trend we’ve been experiencing over the past several years due to a weakened economy--many people are now turning to us on a consistent and ongoing basis to meet their basic nutritional needs,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America.

“The report illuminates two important situations that millions of low-income Americans are facing -- first, seniors in need rely on us much more heavily than the general population; and, secondly, people enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps) need additional help from our food banks. SNAP benefits do not go far enough in helping families meet their basic nutritional needs,” Escarra said.

Among the key findings of the report are:

A majority of people visiting Feeding America food pantries (54 percent) have used a food pantry for at least six months of more during the past year.
More than one third of all people visiting food pantries (36 percent) report having used a food pantry at least every month within the past year.
These clients also report they have used a food pantry for more than 28 consecutive months, on average.
Among the elderly, well more than half (56 percent) are long term recurrent pantry users, suggesting that the fixed incomes of elderly may be insufficient to provide for basic needs.
The study found seniors are disproportionately affected in becoming frequent or recurrent users. One out of three recurrent clients are 60 years of age or older.
Among clients currently receiving SNAP benefits, more than half (58 percent) are recurrent or frequent users.
Households that are food secure are more likely to have recurrent clients than other types of households. Although we cannot state this relationship to be casual in nature, it is preliminary evidence that in terms of food security, food pantry use over longer durations may lower the likelihood of food insecurity.

“The findings in this report are further evidence that millions of Americans rely on both federal nutrition programs and Feeding America and other charitable organizations to nourish themselves and their families during our nation’s tough economic times. Funding for all programs that help our low-income American’s must remain strong,” Escarra said.

For more information, go to http://feedingamerica.org/HungersNewStaple

New Data Shows the Reality of Hunger for Older Minnesotans

2011-10-04T13:31:00.000-05:00

Seniors missing meals are often poor, alone and disabled. Fewer than half of those eligible are receiving Food Support.

Hunger-Free Minnesota (www.hungerfreemn.com) announced today that new data shows a disturbing picture of Minnesota seniors who are going without food because they don’t have enough money to buy food and still pay for other basic needs.

New data shows the need for senior food support is rising. There has been a 22% increase in senior households receiving Food Support from 2008 to 2010. Of the 88,000 seniors living below the poverty line*, less than half accessed the Minnesota Food Support system. Those working in hunger relief programs say many seniors don’t know they qualify for the Federal dollars.

“In 2010, the average grant for seniors who did access the program was $76.00 a month, a meaningful extension to a senior’s food budget,” said Dr. Stacey Stockdill, president of EnSearch, Inc., the organization that compiled the data. “It’s important that seniors and community members are aware that this support is available. Enrolled seniors can shop at their regular grocery store with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card that electronically transfers money to the store when they purchase their food.”

The reality of senior hunger in the state may be surprising. Data shows that 90 percent of seniors accessing the Food Support system today live alone. More than half of the seniors in this group are living with a disability. They are likely to have at least a high-school education, and they may have some college education as well. A typical Minnesota senior receiving some Food Support to supplement their income is white, age 69, widowed or divorced.

Study Highlights

Less than half of seniors below the poverty line are enrolled in Food Support
90% of seniors on Minnesota Food Support are living alone
Most of the seniors obtaining Food Support in Minnesota are white; 88% are U.S. citizens
Nearly half of persons in all senior households are disabled
31% of those on Minnesota Food Support live in Hennepin County
37% live in Greater Minnesota
2/3 of those getting Food Support in Minnesota are women
Half of Minnesota seniors have a high school degree or higher
13% of those receiving Food Support have at least some college education

Home-Bound and Hungry
Ellie Lucas, chief campaign officer for Hunger-Free Minnesota says the food program is important to keeping seniors healthy and independent. “We want seniors in our state to enroll in the Minnesota Food Support Program if they cannot always afford enough quality food to stay healthy. Seniors who are hungry can be out of sight and out of mind. But our data shows that they are in our midst, and that too many of them are not getting the help they need.”

Changes to state regulations have made it easier for seniors to apply. The Minnesota Food HelpLine is a good place to start if there are questions about eligibility or the enrollment process. Seniors include Minnesotans at least 60 years of age. Eligibility is based primarily on income available for food. Seniors who own their own home may still be eligible. The Minnesota Food HelpLine is 1-888-711-1151.

With the graying of Minnesota as the first baby boomers reach 65 in 2012, the numbers of seniors in our state will continue to grow. A continued economic downturn and the Senior Access Index data suggests that hunger among seniors will grow as well, unless participation in food support programs improves.

Unlike the problem of hunger among families with school-aged children, isolation contributes greatly to senior hunger. In rural areas, geographic isolation contributes to the hunger problem when family members move out of town or when a spouse dies. In cities, seniors may keep to themselves with limited contact with neighbors. Data shows that about a third of the seniors who access food support live in Hennepin County. Another third live in Greater Minnesota.

Hunger-Free Minnesota is coalition of community leaders and citizens, nonprofit agencies, food banks, food shelves and corporate partners including General Mills, Cargill, Hormel Foods, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, and others. Hunger-Free Minnesota already has obtained $3.5 million in private funding to implement its strategic action plan comprising 22 statewide initiatives aimed at solving the missing meal gap in Minnesota. Initiatives include system-wide changes, new partnerships, education, policy changes, direct grants and other support for local participating organizations. The coalition encourages individuals and organizations to “Fight Hunger Where You Live.”

Child Hunger in Itasca County

2011-09-09T09:13:00.002-05:00

Do you know that almost one in four children in Itasca County is at risk of being hungry? A new study, “Map the Meal Gap: Child Food Insecurity 2011”, also reveals that there are children struggling with hunger in every county in America. In the region of north central Minnesota that Second Harvest serves, 23.4% of the children live in households that are food insecure.
Children are the most vulnerable members of our society, and the fact that almost 25% live in food insecure households is shocking. Hungry children don’t develop properly, are more prone to illness and have lower grades in school.

“Map the Meal Gap: Child Food Insecurity” provides data on participation in federal assistance programs for north central Minnesota, by county, in an interactive map format. The study also informs us of the numbers of children in households that are food insecure but not eligible for government programs. These struggling working families rely on the food bank and food shelves for food when they are facing a choice of food or rent, or food or heat.

Continued high unemployment and low wages for working people contribute to the growing numbers of people coming to food shelves for assistance. Second Harvest works hard every day to help provide food to fill the missing meal gap for hungry people in our community. You can get involved in the fight against hunger by checking out Second Harvest’s website at www.secondharvestncfb.com or calling 218.326.4420. Help us end hunger for kids, seniors and struggling working families.

Sue Estee, Second Harvest Executive Director.

Hunger Action Month is Here!

2011-09-01T11:00:00.000-05:00

Today marks to first day of Hunger Action Month. We encourage you to take part in one of the "30 Ways in 30 Days" which you can find on our website by clicking here.

Hunger is real, hunger is in every county in the United States. Play a role in ending hunger.

STUDY SHOWS THAT 23% OF CHILDREN LIVE AT RISK OF HUNGER IN NORTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA

2011-08-29T08:54:00.000-05:00

Second Harvest North Central Food Bank and Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization, today released a new study which reveals in north central Minnesota, 23.4% of children under the age of 18 are struggling with hunger.

The study, “Map the Meal Gap: Child Food Insecurity 2011”, also reveals that there are children struggling with hunger in every county in America. Nationally, while one in six Americans overall are food insecure, the rate for children is much higher: nearly one in four children are food insecure.“Children are the most vulnerable members of our society, and the fact that almost 25% live in food insecure households is shocking,” said Sue Estee, Executive Director at Second Harvest North Central Food Bank. “Hungry children don’t develop properly, are more prone to illness and have lower grades in school.”

“Map the Meal Gap: Child Food Insecurity” provides the following data for north central Minnesota, by county, in an interactive map format:

The percentage of the north central Minnesota population who is food insecure, by county.
The percentage of children in north central Minnesota that is eligible for assistance from federal nutrition programs like Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), free or reduced-price school meals, and others.
The percentage of children in by county in north central Minnesota that is not eligible for assistance from federal nutrition programs like Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), free or reduced-price school meals, and others.

An executive summary of the report can be found at: http://www.feedingamerica.org/mapthegap/childsummary.

The study is an important tool because it provides critical information for developing strategies to alleviate child hunger. Of the children living in food insecure households, 68% of them are eligible for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs and other federal nutrition programs like WIC.

By providing additional details about the face of child food insecurity at the county level, “Map the Meal Gap: Child Food Insecurity 2011” will enable food banks, the community based agencies they serve and policy makers to redefine approaches in addressing needs of hungry children and their families and develop more effective policy solutions.

This research is supported by ConAgra Foods Foundation. The ConAgra Foods Foundation funded this research with the goal of advancing the collective understanding of child hunger in America, so that resources at the local and national level could be better leveraged to help children and families in need.

The research is based on “Map the Meal Gap 2011: Food Insecurity Estimates at the County Level”, supported by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and Nielsen.

Play a role in ending hunger

2011-08-25T14:01:00.000-05:00

http://www.secondharvestncfb.com/

September is Hunger Action Month

2011-08-25T13:59:00.000-05:00

Grand Rapids, MN – Second Harvest North Central Food Bank is part of a national movement to raise awareness and take action to help the 50 million Americans who experience hunger.

September is Hunger Action Month. Throughout the month, Feeding America’s nationwide network of more than 200 food banks, including Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, is working to engage citizens to take action and help spread the word about how pervasive hunger is in every community. Feeding America food banks are participating in many ways including: working with state governors to officially declare Hunger Action Month in each state; a nationwide Paper Plate Campaign to collect local messages from food assistance agencies to be read and delivered to members of Congress in Washington D.C.; spreading the word with our celebrity partners via a video campaign that tells the real stories of Americans struggling with hunger; and the 30 Ways in 30 Days campaign to provide individuals exciting ways to participate in their community throughout September - there will be daily “ways” to take action with Second Harvest North Central Food Bank posted on the Hunger Action Month website– along with many additional suggestions for getting involved.

Nationwide, 50 million Americans suffer from food insecurity. But hunger’s impact is felt by many more than the millions living with food insecurity: hunger impacts child development, health and wellness, education, workforce development – our general welfare as a nation. It is also an issue right here in our community – and at the local level, Second Harvest North Central Food Bank works to combat hunger and aid the hungry living right here in north central Minnesota. Throughout September, there will be opportunities to get involved. These opportunities will range from social media initiatives to events, family activity suggestions, and ways to volunteer or support the work Second Harvest North Central Food Bank does every day.

Individuals who want to help spread the word and share our celebrity video with friends or to view the 30 Ways in 30 Days calendar, please visit the Hunger Action Month website at www.hungeractionmonth.org. For more information, email gretchen@secondharvestncfb.com.

Debt Ceiling Agreement

2011-08-02T15:38:00.002-05:00

Late Sunday night, President Obama and Congressional leaders agreed to a deal to raise the debt ceiling, preventing the government from a potentially catastrophic credit default. The deal raises the debt ceiling through 2012 while making immediate cuts to discretionary spending and creating a special Joint Committee of Congress to propose a plan for further deficit reduction. The House and Senate passed the measure, and the president is expected to sign it on Tuesday afternoon.

While the potential consequences of an unprecedented government default would have been far more devastating for low-income Americans, Second Harvest North Central Food Bank along with Feeding America remains deeply concerned about the potential impact this deal would have on nutrition assistance and other safety-net programs.

Although much uncertainty remains, one thing is clear—the need to effectively communicate the importance of protecting federal nutrition programs is more important than ever.

As a result of the debt ceiling agreement, we will need everyone involved with hunger relief—food banks, clients, local agencies, the government, board members, donors, and partners—to help us carry our message.

Government shutdown will impact those already in need

2011-07-07T12:52:00.012-05:00

When the Minnesota state government shut down on July 1st, hungry individuals in our community were put at even greater risk of hunger.

Unemployment rates will temporarily increase, putting extra strain on families.
Some Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sites are being forced to close, as the host schools rely on government funding to run summer programs.
Meal programs that rely on government funding are being forced to shut down.

You can help ease the strain on affected families by:

Fundraising on behalf of Second Harvest North Central Food Bank or another local hunger-relief organization.
Make your donation online.
Spreading the word about the shutdown impact on Minnesota families on Facebook or Twitter. Use hashtag #mnshutdown to track the conversation.
Donate food to your local food shelf.

Feel free to contact Second Harvest North Central Food Bank with any questions. Thank you for your support during this particularly difficult time for so many of our neighbors.

Summer Hunger is Right Here

2011-07-01T10:58:00.000-05:00

Clients wait for the Food Sheld to open its doors.

A year ago, the Grand Rapids Food Shelf extended days of operation from two days a week to five to accommodate for the continued increase of people in need-a reality that is showing no improvement this summer. Considering the unemployment rate for Grand Rapids is more than twice that of the state average, the need is great.
Today, Second Harvest North Central Food Bank and the Grand Rapids Food Shelf help launch the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless $100,000 Summer Challenge Grant. This means your donation to the Grand Rapids Food Shelf this July will have an even bigger impact because the challenge grant will proportionately match all donations made during the month of July. This is vitial to the Food Shelf in order to keep food on the shelves.

Click here to make a secure online donation.

Action is Still Needed to Secure More TEFAP in FY2011

2011-06-23T09:42:00.000-05:00

We learned earlier this week that USDA is making $50 million available for the purchase of a variety of canned, frozen, and fresh fruits and vegetables and juices. These products will be distributed through TEFAP and will have estimated delivery dates betweek September 2011 and March 2012. Each state will be provided with their fair share of funding, and will be able to order from a menu of products which include tomato sauce, corn, carrots, green beans, peaches, pears, cranberry juice, orange juice, blueberries, potatoes, and oranges. This purchase is being made to satisfy a requirement in the 2012 Farm Bill that USDA purchase $401 million worth of "specialty crops" (i.e., fruits and vegetables) in FY2011.

While we are incredibly thankful for USDA made the decision to allocate this funding for the purchase of much needed TEFAP commodities, much more help is going to be needed to shore up supplies of TEFAP commoditeis nationwide. The inclusion of these products brings total FY11 spending on TEFAP up to $360 million. However, that still level of spending is still approximately $295 million -- or 45% -- below the FY2010 spending level.

As was announced last week, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Representative Marcia Fudge (D-OH) are circulating sign-on letters in the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, urging Secretary Vilsack to use his administrative authority to direct funds to increase the availability of TEFAP commodities in FY2011.

With our network food banks poised to see a significant decline in the amount of TEFAP commodities received in FY2011, it is critical that all supporters of Feeding America food banks contact their Members of Congress to tell them about the importance of TEFAP and urge them to sign on in support of this letter.

A Campaign for a Hunger-Free Minnesota

2011-06-07T13:54:00.000-05:00

Today is the official launch of Hunger-Free Minnesota, a statewide movement to close the gap of 100 million missing meals in our state.
You, your co-workers, volunteers and clients all will be positively affected by Hunger-Free Minnesota. It’s a three-year campaign with an action plan designed to focus on three areas of meal delivery:

• Increase annual meal delivery in the emergency food network by 50 million meals
• Increase access in the SNAP/Minnesota Food Support Program by 30 million meals
• Increase utilization of infant and child nutrition programs to yield an additional 20 million meals.

Hunger in Minnesota has doubled in five years. One in ten Minnesotans runs out of resources before the end of every month, missing an average of 10 meals every 30 days. That's 100 million meals missed every year, with devastating effects.

Hunger hurts us all. Fight hunger where you live.

For more information please our website or hungerfreemn.org that contains statistics about hunger in Minnesota and information about Hunger-Free Minnesota.

Summer Hunger

2011-05-27T08:39:00.000-05:00

In our mission to engage the community to end hunger, we make an effort to direct a lot of attention to the innocent children affected hunger in our communities. In the Grand Rapids Food Shelf alone, 40% of those coming for food assistance are families with children under the age of 18. These families rely on federally subsidized school breakfasts and lunches as well as our “Kids Packs to Go” backpack program. Our backpack program provides snacks to children at risk of going hungry over the weekend. Every month during the school year, our volunteers pack 1635 “Kids Packs” and we distribute them to 16 schools in Itasca, Aitkin, Cass, Kanabec and Crow Wing counties.

Next month, school is out for summer break. While summer vacation is considered to be freedom for many children, for too many other children it means losing the one place that they can count on for a meal. It is estimated that more than 12 million children are at risk of hunger in America.

For most of the country, the face of hunger is surprising. It does not discriminate against age, race, gender, or ethnicity. It affects working families who are forced to make difficult choices between food and basic necessities such as heat, medicine or rent. These families are left struggling to find a way to keep their children fed when these programs end and summer vacation begins.

The USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provides low-income children with free, nutritious meals during the summer months when school is not in session, is intended to fill this gap. SFSP is the single largest federal resource available for local community organizations that want to combine a feeding program with a summer activity program. It is now easier than ever for organizations to participate and provide food for children in the summer through the SFSP.

However, nationally and here in our community, the Summer Food Service Program has been underutilized. Sponsors are needed to help coordinate the program, and agencies are needed to host feeding sites and encourage families to bring their children. One of the biggest reasons that the SFSP is underutilized is that families do not know that it is available for their children. Help is needed in raising awareness of this important program. Together, we can ensure that all children have access to healthy meals this summer. A list of SFSP sites will be complied and posted on our website as soon as it is public knowledge. Visit http://www.secondharvestncfb.com/ for more information or call Second Harvest North Central Food Bank at (218)326-4420.

Without Additional TEFAP Commodities, Food Banks May Face Empty Shelves this Year

2011-05-18T14:09:00.000-05:00

As Congress crafts a budget that addresses our nation’s long-term fiscal challenges, Second Harvest North Central Food Bank along with Feeding America urges legislators to safeguard nutrition assistance and other safety net programs. The number of families struggling to make ends meet increased significantly during the recession. With unemployment at an average of 12 percent in the region and still hovering near 14 percent in the Grand Rapids area, the need for food assistance continues to grow and food banks are pressed to meet need in their communities.

37 million people – one in eight Americans – receive emergency food assistance each year through the Feeding America network of over 200 food banks, a 46% increase in the number of clients served since 2006.
Federal nutrition programs provide support not only to struggling working Americans and their families but also to America’s farmers and the agricultural industry.
Feeding America food banks could not provide current levels of food assistance without support from TEFAP and CSFP, nor could we meet added demand if the current funding levels and structure of SNAP and other federal nutrition programs were eroded. We urge Congress to protect essential nutrition safety net programs like TEFAP.

FEDERAL RESPONSE – THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TEFAP): TEFAP is a means-tested federal program that provides food commodities at no cost to low-income Americans in need of short-term hunger relief through organizations like food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency shelters. Healthy and nutritious food commodities provided through TEFAP are an essential resource for the continued success of Feeding America food banks.

TEFAP commodities accounted for 24.7% of the food distributed through food shelves and mobile pantry agencies of Second Harvest North Central Food Bank in 2010.
Local food banks combine TEFAP commodities with privately donated foods to maximize TEFAP program benefits far beyond the budgeted amount for the program. In this way, food banks exemplify one of the optimum models of the public/private partnership.
Declines in Section 32 funding at USDA and less need for USDA commodity intervention in the agriculture economy have resulted in an estimated 50% drop in commodity purchases for FY 2011. This will reduce the volume of food provided by TEFAP by approximately $345 million at a time when our members are already struggling to meet increased need in their communities.
If commodity purchases drop as expected by 50%, many food banks will face the prospect of empty shelves beginning this summer and on into the Holiday season. As the demand for food remains high at food banks across the country, TEFAP is necessary for the provision of a steady emergency food supply.

This program is the backbone that supports the emergency food relief work that our food bank network members carry out every day and provides some of the most nutritious food that we distribute. Our challenge is that even as the need for emergency food assistance remains high, the agricultural markets are currently very strong. As a result, there is little need for USDA to intervene in agricultural markets through bonus TEFAP purchases. Unless we take action now to alert Members of Congress and the Obama Administration to the pending dramatic decline in TEFAP supplies, the level of commodity support Feeding America receives from USDA will to drop off significantly – possibly by as much as 50% -- in federal fiscal year 2011 and on into federal fiscal year 2012.

Please contact our Senators and Rep. Cravaack, about the impact a reduction in TEFAP on food banks and call Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack at (202)720-3631 and urge him to use his administrative authorities to increase the availability of TEFAP commodities in FY2011.

For more information visit: http://hungeractioncenter.org/

Thank You for Stamping Out Hunger

2011-05-17T14:20:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday, May 14th was the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. The letter carriers in the Grand Rapids area collected 5,718 pounds of donated food. Local letter carriers branch #3610 made a donation of $350 and collected an additional $185 in donations during the food drive. That's a grand total of 6,253 combined pounds and dollars! Thank you to all who participated in the food drive and a special thank you to the letter carriers for collecting all of the food and funds!

Senior Hunger

2011-05-16T10:33:00.000-05:00

In respect of the 3.4 million Americans age 65 and older living in poverty, I urge you to reach out to your local food bank and help those at risk of hunger.

After a lifetime of work, many seniors are living on fixed incomes that often force them to choose between paying for healthcare or prescriptions and buying groceries. Because they often need the medication to maintain their health, many elderly Americans must forgo the foods they need to stay healthy. Limited mobility and dependence on outside assistance makes seniors particularly vulnerable to hunger.

Food insecurity among this vulnerable population is especially troublesome because they have unique nutritional needs and may require special diets for medical conditions. According to Hunger in America 2010, among client households with seniors, 30 percent have had to choose between paying for food and paying for medical care. Many food banks, like the Second Harvest North Central Food Bank operate mobile pantries or partner with food transport organizations to get food to those seniors that need it most.

Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, has served north central Minnesota since 1984, feeding thousands of hungry seniors each year. Food insecurity in north central Minnesota on average is 14.4%, including these seniors facing difficulty keeping themselves fed.

Congress is considering significant cuts to the federal budget, putting nutrition assistance for low-income seniors at-risk. Earlier this year, Congress wisely rejected cuts to the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which helps Second Harvest North Central Food Bank provide nutritious monthly food packages to 2,319 seniors each month. Cuts to CSFP and other federal nutrition programs would make it much harder for our food bank to safeguard local seniors from hunger, and we urge Congress to protect nutrition programs from cuts.

Feeding America is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the country. Through its network of more than 200 member food banks, Feeding America serves 37 million hungry Americans annually, including 3 million seniors.

To find out how you can join the fight against hunger, please visit www.secondharvestncfb.com.

MANY SENIORS FORCED TO FORGO FOODS NEEDED TO STAY HEALTHY

2011-05-11T10:21:00.000-05:00

After a lifetime of work, many seniors are living on fixed incomes that often force them to choose between paying for healthcare or prescriptions and buying groceries.

Because seniors often need the medication to maintain their health, many elderly Americans must forgo the foods they need to stay healthy. Limited mobility and dependence on outside assistance makes seniors particularly vulnerable to hunger. Food insecurity among this vulnerable population is especially troublesome because they have unique nutritional needs and may require special diets for medical conditions.

According to Hunger in America 2010, among client households with seniors, 30 percent have had to choose between paying for food and paying for medical care. Many food banks, like the Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, operate mobile pantries or partner with food transport organizations to get food to those seniors that need it most.

With widespread community support we are working with Feeding America to ensure that seniors in need are provided with nutritious food. But charity alone cannot solve senior hunger in our community. In addition to generous private donations, we rely on federal programs, like the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), to supply 2,319 nutritious monthly food packages to low-income seniors, and help connect seniors to other programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), to ensure they have groceries to last them through the month. As elected officials make decisions about state and federal budgets, it’s important that our community know that many of our seniors right here in Grand Rapids rely on both federal nutrition programs and food banks to get by each month.

Together, we can provide hope to hungry Americans. http://www.secondharvestncfb.com/

Second Harvest Reports a Record Setting First Quater!

2011-05-06T11:07:00.000-05:00

Second Harvest North Central Food Bank had a record setting first quarter by distributing over 1 million pounds of food. By the end of March 2011, Second Harvest had dispersed 1,092,933 pounds of food throughout their seven county region. The need is great in north central Minnesota and Second Harvest North Central Food Bank will keep working to satisfy that need and feed the hungry.

Celebrity Bowl Reception

2011-05-02T10:20:00.001-05:00

Join us today, May 2nd at the MacRostie Art Center for the Celebrity Bowl Reception for the Itasca Empty Bowls Project. The event will take place from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the art gallery. There will be a silent auction and celebrity bowls will be available for purchase. Enjoy light hors d' oeuvres and beverages while you browse the beautiful selection. All proceeds to benefit the Community Cafe and Second Harvest North Central Food Bank.

Empty Bowls Pre-Event a Success!

2011-04-26T08:43:00.000-05:00

KOOTASCA Event Planning Team

Second Harvest North Central Food Bank and the Community Cafe would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the annual IRC Pre-Empty Bowls event a success! Last week, we received $1,137.00 to aid us in the fight against hunger in our community. Don't forget to join us on Thursday, May 5th at the Sawmill Inn from 11:00am - 2:00pm and 4:00pm - 6:30pm. Call 218.326.4420 for more information.

Minnesotans miss 100 million meals each year

2011-04-20T10:13:00.002-05:00

A study released in March by the hunger relief organization Feeding America estimates that Minnesotans struggling with hunger collectively miss almost 100 million meals each year. The Map the Meal Gap study says, nationwide, hungry people would need $21.3 billion to fill the gap in their food budgets.

Research conducted in Minnesota inspired the nation-wide study. Rob Zeaske and his colleagues at Second Harvest Heartland were looking for a better way to understand who needs help. Feeding America ran with that idea. The national study released late last month does two things that hadn't been done before. It estimates the number of people struggling with hunger in each U.S. county. And it puts a number on how many meals people are missing.

"I would say it's a tool for how people can really understand what are the needs in every community, and how do you actually identify closing the gap around the need," said Vicki Escarra, the CEO of Feeding America.

Feeding America researchers relied on census figures, which show 50.2 million Americans live in homes that struggle to get enough food. They took into account things like poverty and unemployment — and then estimated how many people they think are at risk for hunger in each county. On the census form, people also noted how much money they'd need to adequately feed their families. So researchers looked at how much meals cost in each county. From there, they were able to estimate how many meals people were missing.

While many times people are skipping meals altogether, sometimes they are eating a poor substitute for a meal, like a bag of chips.

According to the study, the five Minnesota counties with the highest rates of people struggling with hunger are Clearwater, Wadena, Mille Lacs, Pine and Kanabec. Second Harvest North Central Food Bank services two of these five counties. One problem in Second Harvest's area is that, according to the Feeding America estimates, 35 percent of the 29,600 individuals struggling with hunger make too much money to qualify for federal food assistance. But they still can't always afford to feed their families. After other bills, there's not much left for food.

An additional challenge that Second Harvest North Central Food Bank faces is the actuality of rural hunger. Rural households all across our seven county region suffer from food insecurity –the statistical measurement of hunger or near-hunger-at greater rate than the rest of the state and nation. A number of factors including increasing unemployment, transportation barriers, and access to grocers, contribute to hunger in our service area. It is a distressing reminder that hunger persists in a state that is a leader in the food production industry.

Second Harvest North Central Food Bank's game plan to fight rural hunger is to: improve access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), extend tax deductions for food donations, and maintain commodity food programs such as TEFAP and CSFP.

We, as members of Feeding America, will continue working to make sure all of Minnesota's 583,710 people who currently struggle with hunger have access to three square meals a day.

For more information on the Map the Meal Gap study, click here.

Our Volunteers Are the BEST!

2011-04-19T08:31:00.000-05:00

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month and Second Harvest North Central Food Bank and the Grand Rapids Food Shelf would like to thank our many wonderful volunteers. We service a seven county area in north central Minnesota and our agencies span from International Falls to Princeton. We have several programs which work as our facets to distribute nearly 4 million pounds of food to those in need. Our volunteers generously give over 11,000 hours annually to Second Harvest North Central Food Bank and the Grand Rapids Food Shelf. Without our dedicated, hard working volunteers we could not do all we do. Whether it be; driving the mobile pantry truck, stocking the shelves, or assembling "Kids Packs to Go", we thank you for donating your valuable time. You are sincerely appreciated by all of us here at Second Harvest North Central Food Bank and those in need!

FoodShare Update

2011-03-31T15:39:00.001-05:00

Pictured is Ellen Christmas, Second Harvest Program Manager,
Clifton Thompson, past Governor, and Karen Vickberg,
Grand Rapids Food Shelf volunteer.

As of March 30th the Grand Rapids Food Shelf is at 66.5% of the goal of 80,000 with 6,475 pounds and $46,719.00. This week the Women of the Moose, Chapter No. 1378 and the Grand Rapids Moose Lodge No. 2023, made a donation of $1300.00 to the Grand Rapids Food Shelf as a March FoodShare contribution to help feed local families.

The “Scouting for Food” event took place on Saturday, March 26 resulting in 1,775 pounds of food collected for the Grand Rapids Food Shelf. Participating in the event were Boy Scout Troop #41, local Girl Scouts and Cub Scout Packs #42 and #51. Boy Scout Troop #41 also made a monetary donation to the food shelf. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts food drive efforts will help local families and count towards Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign.

To make your financial contribution, click here.

Boy Scout Troop #41

From a Food Giant, a Broad Effort to Feed Hungry Children

2011-03-21T14:12:00.000-05:00

By ELIZABETH OLSON Published: March 20, 2011

CONAGRA FOODS, whose social cause is ending child hunger, is taking a new approach to raise the issue’s visibility. The company is starting its largest campaign ever, including a television special, to spur more grass-roots involvement to make sure no child goes hungry.
The Omaha-based ConAgra financed a 30-minute program, hosted by Al Roker of the “Today” show on NBC, to tell the stories of American families who, each day, face the question of whether they will have enough to eat. One 8-year-old boy says, “I eat less so my sisters can have another meal.”
“Child hunger is not a problem, it’s a crisis,” Mr. Roker said in an interview, referring to the 17.2 million children the Agriculture Department estimates are at risk of lacking food. In the special, Mr. Roker, along with an NBC correspondent, Natalie Morales, highlights the effects of hunger on children’s ability to learn and complete their education.
To amplify its campaign, called “Child Hunger Ends Here,” ConAgra also is incorporating social media, including bloggers, digital placement and paid advertising to spread information about the increasing prevalence of child hunger and provide consumers with practical suggestions on how to help their communities.
ConAgra is partnering with Feeding America, a group that supplies 200 food banks. The company has contributed 250 million pounds of food to Feeding America, and donates an average of one million meals a month. ConAgra is donating one meal — up to 2.5 million meals — for each eight-digit package code, on specially marked ConAgra brands, that is entered on the campaign Web site, childhungerendshere.com, through August.
The participating brands include Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Healthy Choice, Fresh Mixers, Kid Cuisine, Marie Callender’s and Peter Pan.
“The designation on packages is to alert consumers to the issue,” said André Hawaux, president of consumer foods, a division of ConAgra. The company declined to disclose the overall cost of the campaign, which runs from March through the end of May, but said it would spend 40 percent more than last year’s campaign.
Mr. Hawaux said that the effort was “significantly different this year. We dipped our toe in the water last year, and the response was so supportive, we are now increasing opportunities for people to get involved.” Part of ending child hunger, he said, is overcoming the “stigma that has been attached to the issue over a long time,” which is why the company chose a longer special over shorter commercials.
The 30-minute show, Mr. Roker said, “allows the situation to sink it. The problem doesn’t just zip by in the evening news.”
Vicki Escarra, chief executive of Feeding America, said the number of hungry children was growing because of the weak economy.
“There were about nine million children a year ago, and it has grown to at least 14 million, and an increasing number are from middle-class families,” she said.
While customers will buy products with a portion of the purchase price designated for a cause, Mr. Hawaux said, “they don’t expect to pay more for an item, and they won’t accept shoddy products.”
Even so, corporate-cause marketing, linking a company to a social cause, has been questioned lately. According to a study issued last November, many consumers say that brands support social causes only for publicity and marketing purposes, not because they truly care about the issue.
Brands like Pepsi, Nike and Tide have risen above that bar, the study found. Consumers named these companies, as well as Newman’s Own and Coca-Cola, as corporations that place as much importance on supporting a social cause as they place on profit.
Winning over consumers requires “360-degree authenticity, longstanding involvement and adding purpose to a brand,” said Carol Cone, the managing director for brand and corporate citizenship at Edelman, a public relations agency, which undertook the study.
“It is not about slapping a ribbon on a product any more,” said Ms. Cone, who worked on previous ConAgra child hunger initiatives.
ConAgra’s involvement in ending child hunger dates back almost two decades. The company and its foundation have given $35 million since 1993, including a recent $10 million pledge from the foundation.
“We’re trying to balance between social good and the company,” Mr. Hawaux said. “There is an expectation now that companies do good. But can you overdo it? We are committed, but we are a for-profit enterprise and have business goals we need to meet.”
The child hunger campaign, which was created in-house, is encouraging contributions to Feeding America through a mobile campaign. Texting “FEEDKIDS” to 50555 sends a $10 donation directly to the organization. Each $10 donation helps provide 70 meals to children.
The child hunger television special, which premiered on Saturday on NBC stations in 11 markets, including Chicago, Dallas, Miami and New York, will also be seen in about 200 more cities. Throughout the campaign, consumers can use Twitter, #ChildHungerEndsHere, to comment, ask questions or share stories or photographs.
Also, some 20 bloggers, mostly mothers recruited by ConAgra in various communities nationwide, will use Twitter and other social media like Facebook to share local stories and update their activities. And the company is adding a service day to the campaign. Its 25,000 employees can select a day in April to volunteer to work against child hunger — which, ConAgra says, “is as near as next door, or down the street.”

Grand Rapids Food Shelf March FoodShare Campaign

2011-03-15T09:53:00.000-05:00

For more information click here!

Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign Update

2011-03-14T11:12:00.000-05:00

Donate today!

It’s Food Share Month: Chapter of Excellence Donates Money to Food Bank

2011-03-14T10:16:00.003-05:00

Grand Rapids, MN, March 9, 2011. The Kootasca Chapter of Thrivent Financial earned The Chapter of Excellence for 2010 award for its outstanding work in addressing local community and was honored with $500 which they donated to Second Harvest Food Bank in Grand Rapids. The Chapter appreciates all that the Food Bank does for the people and the area that they serve. It is FoodShare Month when all of the dollars received by the Food Bank count toward their goal of collecting 80,000 combined pounds and dollars for the month.

Thrivent financial members come together to make a difference through charitable and educational outreach, whether the cause is big or small. The Chapter of Excellence award recognizes all individuals of the Kootasca Chapter who joined together to strengthen our communities.

The Kootasca Chapter members held more than 15 events in the area during 2010 to bring people together for fun, education and helping others. For example, the chapter gave supplemental funds to over 10 benefits, hosted a trip to a Twins’ game, held financial workshops, hosted a night at the theatre, and much more.

As a membership organization, Thrivent Financial is focused on meeting its members’ needs around financial security, as well as helping to improve the quality of life in the communities where members live. As a result, Thrivent Financial creates programs to encourage members who in turn help congregations, schools, nonprofits and individuals in need. Each Thrivent Financial member is a member of one of more than 1,300 local chapters nationwide through which he or she can participate in charitable, educational and social activities.

This Kootasca Chapter’s leadership 2011 board includes: Paula Ross, Peg Christensen, Jeff Frazier, Bill Trembath, Barb Tornes, Dale Juntunen, Kristi York, Dennis Jerome, Melanie Anderson, Gail Ross, and Jim Tarbell. The Finanicial Representatives who act as advisors to the Board are: Bob Affeldt, Dan Fiala, Rob Sjostrand, and Ben Weerts.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.6 million members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial creates and supports national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit Thrivent.com.

The March FoodShare Campaign is Underway!

2011-03-03T11:48:00.000-06:00

During the month of March, the Grand Rapids Food Shelf is joining with over 300 food shelves across Minnesota to collect donations of money and food. These donations will support local efforts to help feed people in need and reduce hunger in our community. When congregations, businesses, schools or service clubs participate in the March FoodShare Campaign, the Food Shelf will make sure that the food and funds collected provides hunger assistance for people in our community who need it most.

This year, the theme of the Grand Rapids Food Shelf’s March FoodShare Campaign is “Do You Know the Face of Hunger?” “Yes you do, because one out of nine families in the greater Grand Rapids area turn to the Food Shelf for assistance,” according to Ellen Christmas, Grand Rapids Food Shelf Program Manager. “In order to keep the shelves stocked and meet the need, we count on local support to provide food and hope to many desperate families trying to keep food on the table. Every effort or contribution, large or small, helps us to continue to feed people. March is the time of year we can leverage additional dollars for the food shelf through donations because of the FoodShare Campaign and the Feinstein Challenge,” she added.

In 2010, the Grand Rapids Food Shelf provided food to an average of 783 households each month. That amounts to over 2,000 individuals served, of which 38% were children under the age of 18. Families turn to the food shelf to provide food and meals that would otherwise be skipped or missed altogether.
The Food Shelf distributed close to 256 tons of food during 2010 and much of this work was accomplished with the assistance of volunteers. “Our work could not be as effective as it is without our gracious volunteers and generous support from throughout the entire community,” says Christmas. Every March, Minnesota FoodShare, a program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, organizes Minnesota's largest food and fund drive for the hungry. FoodShare is a grass-roots driven food and fund drive that raises awareness about hunger in Minnesota where statistics show 1 in 8 children do not have enough food to eat. All food and funds contributed locally stay in the area but are counted towards the statewide goal of 12 million pounds and dollars. The Grand Rapids Food Shelf has set a combined goal of 80,000 pounds and dollars to be collected throughout March.

Christmas encourages the community to help our local food shelf and says “now more than ever the Food Shelf provides an important safety net to those that are hungry, right here in our community. If like us, you feel hunger experienced by our most vulnerable citizens is unacceptable, now is your chance to act and help us reach our March Campaign goal.” Food and cash donations received throughout the month of March will count toward our goal of 80,000.

For more information contact Program Manager, Ellen Christmas at 218.326.4420 or exmas@secondharvestncfb.com. To make an online donation, click here.

A New Look for Second Harvest North Central Food Bank

2011-02-28T10:06:00.000-06:00

Having a strong web presence has become increasingly important in our mission to end hunger. Our parent company, Feeding America, designed an offering that allowed us to deploy an outstanding website, and regularly update it, without assistance from vendors, volunteers or IT staff, for less than $1,500.
With 4 days of training, we completely redesigned our website. We now have the ability to regularly update a professional-looking and feature-rich website with a few click of the mouse and no cost to us.
Along with a clean new look, our website now offers; an agency locator feature utilizing Google Maps which displays the agency location on a map, provides directions and additional information (hours, websites, etc) of our member agencies, the ability to sign up for our newsletters and volunteer opportunities, and an event calendar. Be sure to check it out if you haven’t done so already! http://www.secondharvestncfb.com/

A look at the 2010 Itasca Holiday Program

2011-01-11T10:08:00.003-06:00

Itasca Holiday Program 2010 ~ Together we made a difference!
Because of the generous support from the community, Second Harvest North Central Food Bank was able to distribute 1,700 food boxes and gifts to over 1,800 children in Itasca County and Hill City. The food boxes and gifts were distributed throughout the county in Grand Rapids, Hill City, Deer River, Bigfork, Squaw Lake, Keewatin, Taconite, and Inger. The Itasca Holiday Program continues to be a success every year because of the caring community. Thank you to the many individuals who volunteered your time, and/or donated gifts, food, and money. In December, 250+ volunteers logged in over 1500 hours at Second Harvest in order to make it happen.

A special thank you to the following for their support of the Itasca Holiday Program: Lake Country Power – Operation Round Up * Minnesota Power Foundation * L & M Supply * Wal-Mart * Walgreens * Central Square Mall * Reed Drug * Wells Fargo Bank * City of Grand Rapids Employees * Itasca County Court House * Itasca Resource Center * Grand Rapids High School * Connor Jasper Middle School * Grand Itasca Hospital * Berquist Companies – People in Business Care * Area Congregations * PEO Chapter ED * Yarnworks * Grand Rapids Evening Rotary Club * Itasca Vintage Car Club * ICC Nursing, Engineering, and Resource Management Students * Minnesota Conservation Corps * Nashwauk Alliance Church Youth Group * Grand Acts of Giving * Grand Rapids High School International Club * Bovey Lutheran Youth Group * Circle K

Large last minute donation for the Itasca Holiday Program

2011-01-06T09:01:00.000-06:00

Second Harvest would like to extend a BIG thank you to Lake Country Power and the Operation Round Up program for donating $5,000 to the Itasca Holiday Program. It is because of donations such as this, the Itasca Holiday Program remains a success.

CJMS Students and Faculty Raise Money for Second Harvest

2010-12-30T11:03:00.001-06:00

During this holiday season Connor Jasper Middle School has been engaged in their annual school-wide Adopt-A-Family fundraiser. Students and faculty members have been raising money at Connor Jasper Middle School during the two week span of December 6th through December 17th. This service-based activity has helped define the character of this school and promote a sense of connectedness among students, staff, and the community. The Adopt-A-Family fundraiser is a great cause that the fourth through eighth graders raised money for. Adopt-A-Family is aimed towards helping families in our local communities have a warm and cheerful holiday. Jen, an eighth grader at Connor Jasper Middle School, said the reason she found Adopt-A-Family so important was after remembering all her holiday memories. “Everyone deserves that special time together during Christmas and Adopt-A-Family was a way for me to give them their own memories,” said Jen. Connor Jasper Middle School, with the help of many, raised $1566.59 for their fellow community members, and made Adopt-A-Family fundraiser a great success.

Minnesota Power Foundation Provides $2,550 Grant

2010-12-29T09:45:00.000-06:00

The Minnesota Power Foundation recently awarded Second Harvest North Central Food Bank a $2,550 grant for the Itasca Holiday Program. This contribution was used to purchase food for the holiday food box. This year, 1,700 boxes were stuffed with food items for those in need in the Itasca County and Hill City area. Thank you, Minnesota Power Foundation for ensuring our neighbors wouldn't go hungry over the holidays.

A client receives her food voucher, fruit and food box
as she exits Second Harvest North Central Food Bank

Employees of the City of Grand Rapids Invest $2,500 into the Itasca Holiday Program

2010-12-28T09:54:00.001-06:00

Second Harvest North Central Food Bank received a very generous donation from the employees of the City of Grand Rapids earlier this month. The $2,500 donation will be directed to the Itasca Holiday Program which distributes a holiday food box to 1,700 families in need in Itasca County and Hill City, as well as gifts for the children. THANK YOU!

Second Harvest North Central Food Bank Is Stepping Up To The Challenge!

2010-12-21T12:55:00.001-06:00

Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, a member of the Feeding America network, is working harder every day to assist individuals and their families right here in Grand Rapids in these tough economic times. Fighting hunger is a daily challenge, and we are always looking for new ways to meet it head on.

Today we’re excited to announce our involvement in the Pound For Pound Challenge! Now in its third year, this proven fundraising program has partnered with NBC’s The Biggest Loser, General Mills, and Subway, to encourage Americans to “Lose Nationally, Feed Locally.” And we need your support to make our involvement a success!

Participating is easy and your impact can be huge. Simply sign up and pledge your weight loss goals at www.pfpchallenge.com. For every pound you pledge, the Pound for Pound Challenge will donate 11 cents to Feeding America– enough to secure one pound of groceries for Second Harvest North Central Food Bank.

The more pledges a food bank has from its area, the more funds it receives. So please help us by signing up now and encouraging others to pledge!

It’s a great opportunity for our supporters to do something good for themselves, and do something good for our community. To learn more about the Pound For Pound Challenge, you can visit the national website at www.pfpchallenge.com or e-mail gretchen@secondharvestncfb.com.

A Busy Weekend at Second Harvest North Central Food Bank...

2010-12-20T16:14:00.001-06:00

On Saturday, December 18th Second Harvest North Central Food Bank housed 82 volunteers who sorted and packed the toys for the Itasca Holiday Program.

The following day, 23 volunteers came out to pack 1,700 food boxes which are being distributed this week. All in all, the weekend was a HUGE success! Thank you to all who donated time or money to the Itasca Holiday Program. Together we are making a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need.

Itasca Vintage Car Club Members Join the Fight to END Hunger

2010-12-17T10:38:00.000-06:00

The Itasca Vintage Car Club is a firm supporter of the Itasca Holiday Program and the Grand Rapids Food Shelf, both in volunteering of their time and in their generous gifts of money. At their December Christmas dinner, members donated $1,151.00 which was matched by the club's treasury. The total dollar amount given to the Grand Rapids Area Food Shelf by the car club and its members was $2,302.00. This has the purchasing power to provide over 11,500 meals to area families.

In addition to their monetary gifts, many of the members give of their time. On December 16th, seven members of the club were involved in the preparation of 1,800 gift bags which will soon be filled with toys and distributed to families. A large group of car club members will also volunteer at the Food Bank on December 19th to help fill over 1,700 boxes of food for area families.

The Itasca Vintage Car Club meets at the Harris Town Hall at 7:00 p.m. every 3rd Tuesday of the month from October through May, and invited you to join them. For further information, please contact Club President, Jerry Latola at 326-5910 or Vice-President, Tom Carpenter at 218-363-2516.

Itasca Vintage Car Club members volunteered at the Itasca Holiday Program's gift bag project on December 16th. The day's project was to write the names and ages of children who will be receiving these Christmas toy bags. Volunteering are (back row) Pat Pedersen, Betty Wass, Art Bruns, Don Majerle, and Denny Smith. (front row) Delores Bruns and Sue Smith. Other club members will fill food boxes on December 19th. In addition, the club members and club treasury donated $2,302.00 to the Grand Rapids Food Shelf.

ICC Practical Nursing Program Lends 94 Helping Hands to the Itasca Holiday Program

2010-12-13T13:18:00.001-06:00

Last Friday, 44 students and 3 instructors, from the Itasca Community College Practical Nursing Program volunteered at Second Harvest North Central Food Bank. The 94 additional hands helped us prepare for the 2010 Itasca Holiday Program which is in full swing at Second Harvest North Central Food Bank. The Itasca Holiday Program provides holiday food boxes to 1,700 families in need in the Itasca County and Hill City area. Since each box contains about 30 food items, there is plenty of sorting and repacking to be done. Students sorted various food items in preparation for the food box assembly line. The ICC Practical Nursing Students have been volunteering their time at Second Harvest North Central Food Bank for several years. It is thanks to caring individuals such as these, that the Itasca Holiday Program is a success.

Students re-packing pasta and brown sugar

The Crew!

Students re-packing pasta

Open Your Heart is helping provide 670,000 pounds of fresh food for Minnesota

2010-12-10T10:31:00.003-06:00

Earlier this year, Second Harvest North Central Food Bank and our five partner Feeding America food banks in the state were awarded a $100,000 grant from Open Your Heart to help fund a statewide acquisition of fresh produce for our neighbors in need. Open Your Heart is the only charitable federation in Minnesota dedicated solely to alleviating hunger and homelessness. Founded in 1986, Open Your Heart has ears of experience helping people meet life’s essential needs in communities across our state.
Fresh produce is one of the most costly and difficult food items to obtain for those in need, and also tends to be a crucial component of culturally-relevant food. More than ever, it’s vital that we and other hunger relief organizations work toward better solutions to providing access to these foods.
In total, the $100,000 grant will provide more than 670,000 pounds of fresh produce—from carrots and cantaloupe to peppers and potatoes—to help fill dinner tables for families across the state!

On behalf of those we serve, sincere thanks to Open Your Heart for making such an important gift possible.

Holiday Need

2010-12-06T10:01:00.006-06:00

2010 Itasca Holiday Program Food Box

The Itasca Holiday Program supplies a food box to individuals, families, and seniors in need during the holiday season. The food box is filled with traditional holiday food items, but also some extras to help supplement the nourishment of the families. In the food box this year recipients will find over 30 items such as wild rice, turkey stuffing, sweet potatoes, gravy mix, instant potatoes, canned vegetables, pasta, spaghetti sauce, muffin mix, raisins, oat meal, au gratin potatoes, assorted fruit, etc. The food the box also features a $15.00 food voucher for a local grocery store for extras they may need. Every year, Second Harvest distributes 1,700 food boxes to individuals throughout Itasca County and Hill City as well as gifts for children up to the age of 12. It is a direct result of the community support that the Itasca Holiday Program has been a success every year.

The Itasca Holiday program is run in addition to the usual day-to-day operations at Second Harvest North Central Food Bank. November was a record setting month with 951 client visits to the Grand Rapids Food Shelf. Of the 951 households, 73 were new to the Grand Rapids Food Shelf meaning they haven’t visited this year, or ever. The 951 visits also represent 244 seniors, 1,425 adults from the age of 18 to 60, and 1,005 children under the age of 18. With the average of 20 pounds of food per individual, that’s an astounding 53,480 pounds distributed to our hungry neighbors in November.

Second Harvest North Central Food Bank and the Grand Rapids Food Shelf are thankful for the thoughtful consideration of all individuals, groups, congregations, and businesses that participate in food and fund drives. Just recently, the Grand Rapids Area Preschool children and families donated 412 pounds of food they collected throughout the month of November. Anytime Fitness also ran a promotion for new members and raised $255.00. Second Harvest North Central Food Bank can turn each dollar donated into 5 meals and the food collected will help keep the shelves stocked.

Preschool Teachers from left to right: Kristi Cook – St. Joseph’s Preschool, Nancy O’Toole – Ready Set Grow, Cindy Eckert – First Lutheran Preschool, Kristi Erdman – St. Andrew’s Preschool, Laura Bundy – Our Redeemer Little Lambs Preschool, Holli Olson – Miss Mary’s Young Fives, Kelly Olsen – St. Andrew’s Preschool
Not Pictured: Mary Hanson – Miss Mary’s Young Fives, Colleen Casey – St. Andrew’s Preschool, Krystine Jurvalin, Jessica Dixon, and Donna Derby - Our Redeemer Little Lambs Preschool.

Stuff-A-Truck Food Drive

2010-11-30T15:29:00.001-06:00

Year after year, Ogle's MarketPlace Foods does a Stuff-A-Truck food drive event. This year they collected 4,228 pounds of food for the Grand Rapids Food Shelf. Pre-packaged bags could be purchased in $5, $10, or $15 incriments. Cohasset and Forest Lake Elementary schools also participated by contributing a combined 1,760 pounds of food. Thank you all for participating. This food will help many families in need this month.

L & M Supply Donates to the Itasca Holiday Program

2010-11-24T10:21:00.002-06:00

L & M Supply of Grand Rapids has been a partner with Second Harvest North Central Food Bank since the inception of the Itasca Holiday Program, 16 years ago. L & M Supply is one of five retail locations where you can find the Gingerbread Giving Tree. Not only do they collect gifts for area children, but also contribute a monetary gift of $500 to provide holiday food boxes to local men, women, and children in need. The Itasca Holiday Program continues to be a success every year, because of caring people and organizations, like L & M Supply.

Pictured in front of the Gingerbread Giving Tree from left to right are: Gretchen Gilbert, SHNCFB - Communications Coordinator, Mike Mesia, L & M Supply - General Manager, Ellen Christmas, SHNCFB - Program Manager, Michelle Clough, L & M Supply - Assistant Manager, and Eric Porterfield, L & M Supply - Assistant Manager

Give to the Max Day Was a Success!

2010-11-18T11:40:00.000-06:00

On Tuesday, November 16th, the second annual Give to the Max Day, history was made in Minnesota. The statewide goal was to have 40,000 donors Click. Contribute. Change Your World. In the 24 hour time period 42,624 donors contributed $7,998,434 to non profits in Minnesota! Second Harvest North Central Food Bank also reached our goal of exhausting our $5,500 in matching funds. We finished the day with 144 donors contributing $13,373 for a grand total of $19,873 after adding $5,500 in matching funds and the $1,000 "Golden Ticket" prize won by Erin K. for her donation between 7-8:00am.
Give to the Max Day 2010 was an amazing experience. Thank you to all who donated what you could. Because of you we raised enough money to provide 65 Kids Packs, 70 holiday food boxes and 85,690 meals to hungry men, women, and children in our community. For more information click here.

Holiday Program Receives $400 From Grand Village Resident Council

2010-11-18T10:53:00.000-06:00

Last week, Second Harvest received a check in the amount of $400 from the Grand Village Resident Council. Pictured left to right are Grand Village Resident Council President, Phil Anderson, Vice President Helen Elling and Second Harvest Executive Director, Sue Estee. This donation will be used to support the Food Shelf and the Itasca Holiday Program. For more information on how you can help click here.

Give to the Max Day Returns November 16th!

2010-11-09T10:01:00.003-06:00

Help support the work of Second Harvest North Central Food Bank by donating what you can on Tuesday, November 16th. Second Harvest has over $3,500 in matching funds so you can double your donation dollars. Look for the "2x" icon on our page. This icon means there is a dollar for dollar match available when you donate to us. During the 24 hour "Give together" one donor will be randomly chosen every hour to have $1,000 added to their donation. This could be you!
You can also help Second Harvest North Central Food Bank win one of two grand prizes! A $20,000 and $10,000 prize grant will be awarded to the top two nonprofits in Greater Minnesota that attract the largest number of individual donors on Give to the Max Day 2010. Will you give?

For more information contact gretchen@secondharvestncfb.com or visit our GiveMN website by clicking here.

Anytime Fitness and Second Harvest North Central Food Bank Team Up to Get Fit and Fight Hunger

2010-11-04T10:12:00.000-05:00

During the month of November, Anytime Fitness in Grand Rapids is holding a food and fund drive to benefit Second Harvest North Central Food Bank. Anytime Fitness is offering; new members ½ off the enrollment fee for a nonperishable food donation, no enrollment fee for those who donate $5.00 or more, and free tanning for one month to current members who donate $5.00 or more to Second Harvest North Central Food Bank.

Anytime offers a full cardio theater that includes; Nautilus treadmills, bikes, elliptical machines, and a Stairmaster. They also have new, top-of-the-line Nautilus Nitro Plus machine weights and free weights. Anytime’s 24-hour facility contains around-the-clock tanning access and a state-of-the-art security system, so you can work out comfortably, day or night. Join today and be a part of the Anytime Fitness Family and help feed hungry men, women, and children in our community! For more information, contact Luke or Joe at 218.326.4446.

Grand Rapids Food Shelf Recieves Check from Jephthah Chapter No 176 Order of the Eastern Star

2010-11-02T17:20:00.000-05:00

The Grand Rapids Food Shelf received a generous donation from Jephthah Chapter No 176 Order of the Eastern Star in the amount of $200.00. This donation will be used to purchase food to fill the shelves of the Grand Rapids Food Bank which is consistently serving over 830 families each month.

Pictured left to right are: Volunteer Tyre Harris, Jephthah Chapter No 176 Order of the Eastern Star member Betty Jones, Program Manager Ellen Christmas, Volunteers Noreen Hantala and Dorothy Fairbanks.

Jaycee Pony Football Helps Tackle Hunger in Grand Rapids

2010-10-14T09:21:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday, October 6th the Grand Rapids Jaycees and Second Harvest North Central Food Bank teamed up for a food and fund drive during the championship games. This drive raised enough funds to purchase and distribute 1,410 meals and 163 pounds of non perishable food items. Thank you to all who donated and made this event a success!

Local Eagle Scout Lends A Hand

2010-09-23T13:20:00.002-05:00

Local teen, Matt Kluthe, constructed the compost system pictured above. Matt built the compost system as an Eagle Scout project. Second Harvest North Central Food Bank will use this system to create and sell compost from any left over produce. This compost system will also ensure nothing donated, will ever go to waste. Thank you, Matt!

Day 7 of Hunger Action Month ~ Vanity Food and Fund Drive

2010-09-07T09:17:00.003-05:00

Fashion women’s retailer Vanity and pop band OneRepublic are teaming up to help Feeding America (the nation’s largest hunger relief organization), and Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, to “Share the Secret About Hunger” to help feed the 49 million Americans who are in need of food. Our goal is to provide 100,000 meals through an in-store food drive and CD sales.

From Tuesday, September 7 – Saturday, October 16, 2010, customers can bring in food donations, which will be used locally to fight hunger and help strengthen our communities. With EVERY food item donated, they will receive a coupon for 25% off one regular priced item!

Customers also can purchase OneRepublic’s “Waking Up” CD, featuring a Vanity-exclusive live version of their latest hit “Secrets”. Each CD sold will provide 21 meals through Feeding America (Vanity will donate $3.09 to Feeding America for each CD sold). Customers who purchase the CD also will receive a coupon for 25% off one regular priced item. Customers can enter to win a chance to see OneRepublic live in concert, meet the band backstage, receive a $500 Vanity Shopping Spree and more! Other prizes include: an iPad, iPod Shuffle, autographed CDs and gift cards.

Customers can sign up in store, they can text “Secrets” to 82746, or they can register online at eVanity.com.

**Share the Secret update - So far the Grand Rapids Vanity Store has collected 1,428 lbs of food. Keep up the great work everyone!**

Hunger Action Month 2010 - 30 Ways in 30 Days

2010-09-01T10:44:00.000-05:00

Second Harvest North Central Food Bank is part of a national movement to raise awareness and take action to fight hunger in America.

Today, September 1st, kicks off Hunger Action Month 2010. Throughout the month, Feeding America’s nationwide network of more than 200 food banks, including Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, is working to engage citizens to take action through the 30 Ways in 30 Days campaign. Individuals are asked to pledge their “way” to make a difference, and take part in the fight against hunger in America. There are five ways you can join us: Advocate, Organize, Experience, Donate, and Volunteer. Visit our website: www.secondharvestncfb.com, choose your way, and take action now!

Nationwide, more than 49 million Americans suffer from food insecurity. But hunger’s impact is felt by many more than the millions living with food insecurity: hunger impacts child development, health and wellness, education, workforce development – our general welfare as a nation. It is also an issue right here in our community – and at the local level, Second Harvest North Central Food Bank works to combat hunger and aid the hungry living right here in North Central Minnesota. Throughout September, there will be opportunities to get involved. These opportunities will range from social media initiatives to events, family activity suggestions, and ways to volunteer or support the work Second Harvest North Central Food Bank does every day. To see our 30 Ways in 30 Days Calendar visit our website: www.secondharvestncfb.com and click on the calendar tab across the top.

National sponsors of Hunger Action Month include Kraft Foods, Macy’s, The Cheesecake Factory, United Airlines and Snickers. Individuals who want to learn more, find a 30 Ways in 30 Days calendar, or take a My Way Pledge can visit Second Harvest’s website at http://www.secondharvestncfb.com/. For more information, email gretchen@secondharvestncfb.com.

Grand Rapids Food Shelf Receives Plants Donated from Beiers’ Greenhouse

2010-07-13T13:53:00.000-05:00

It was an exciting day at the Grand Rapids Food Shelf as we received over 1,500 plants donated from Beiers' Greenhouse. Visitors to the food shelf were pleasantly surprised and thrilled to be able to take the vegetable plants home to relocate into their own gardens. In addition to the plants, Beiers' also donated over 200 pounds of potatoes. It is because of generous donors, such as Beiers', that we can keep our shelves stocked and hungry neighbors fed.

Pictured here you can see staff tending to the donated plants.

Deerwood Bank "Facebooking" to Help End Hunger

2010-06-23T10:30:00.000-05:00

Deerwood Bank's current campaign states that for every Facebook fan they add, they'll donate $1 (up to $2,000) to local food banks. Yesterday, Second Harvest North Central Food Bank received a check for $500.00. With every dollar invested into Second Harvest, we can provide up to 5 meals for individuals in need in our community. Thank you for your support, Deerwood Bank and Facebook fans!

Pictured above are Executive Director, Sue Estee of Second Harvest and AVP/Market Manager, Roger Mischke of Deerwood Bank.

Food Shelf Visits Still Increasing in Grand Rapids

2010-05-24T14:12:00.001-05:00

Requests for food assistance by people in the Grand Rapids area are up 5% over last year. Although not the double digit increases we were seeing at this time last year, the need for food for people in crisis continues to grow. Signs of economic recovery are not appearing for unemployed and low income workers.

Greenway High School Day of Caring

2010-05-19T16:12:00.001-05:00

Today, 20 students and 2 adults worked at Second Harvest in conjunction with the annual Greenway Day of Caring. The students packed Kids Packs Backpack bags, labeled hundreds of cans of corn and repackaged many bags of macaroni. Thanks so much to the Greenway High School students for caring about their community and helping end hunger!

Grand Rapids Letter Carriers Participated in Stamp Out Hunger on Saturday

2010-05-10T16:24:00.001-05:00

Thanks to the National Association of Letter Carriers and the Grand Rapids Post Office, more than 5,500 pounds of food was collected on Saturday, May 8th. The food will go directly to the Grand Rapids Food Shelf and help local people who come for food assistance.

Stamp Out Hunger Saturday, May 8th

2010-05-04T12:36:00.001-05:00

The National Association of Letter Carriers will be collecting nonperishable food items on Saturday, May 8^th along their routes for Second Harvest North Central Food Bank /Grand Rapids Food Shelf. It is the eighteenth annual “Stamp Out Hunger” drive conducted by the National Association of Letter Carriers – the largest one day food drive in the nation. Non-perishable food donations can be placed by your mailbox and a carrier will pick them up for delivery to the food bank. The carriers extra effort each May helps our community and makes it very easy for individuals to donate. Last year the Grand Rapids postal carriers delivered over 8,000 pounds of donated food to the Grand Rapids Food Shelf which was distributed locally to people seeking assistance. Hunger is a very real issue in Minnesota communities. In March of 2010, 753 households needed to use the Grand Rapids Food Shelf to put food on the table. Food Shelf use has doubled from 2005 to 2009 and 40% of food shelf clients are children. Through the generosity of postal customers and the commitment of local letter carriers “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive will again help stock the shelves and help feed families in need. For more information, call the Food Shelf at 326-4420

This is National Volunteer Week

2010-04-20T16:22:00.001-05:00

Thanks to more than 500 people every year who give their time to Second Harvest and help us feed the hungry in our area. Over 11,500 hours were logged by volunteers at the food bank in 2009. Volunteers pack over 2,000 commodity boxes every month and help hundreds of families in the Grand Rapids Food Shelf.

Thanks to a very caring community!

Grand Casino Mille Lacs Donates $7,083 to Second Harvest to help local food shelves

2010-04-05T09:56:00.001-05:00

Grand Casino Mille Lacs , along with donations from their Guests and Associates, donated a total of $7,083.50 to Second Harvest North Central Food Bank. That translates into more than 35,000 meals and more than 5,000 pounds of food for hungry local families.

The donation was the result of the “Add a Quarter to your Order” promotion, in which Guests could donate a quarter to their food order at any food venue at either casino.

“We appreciate the compassionate support shown by our Guests and Associates to make this donation to local food shelves possible,” said Michael Garrow, Commissioner of Corporate Affairs for the Corporate Commission of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. “Grand Casinos is proud to match the contributions made by our Guests and Associates and glad that we could help increase awareness about the needs of local food shelves as they feed hungry families in Minnesota.

During the check presentation, Sue Estee, Executive Director for Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, reiterated the fact that the demand for food is higher than it has been in recent years. “The donation that we receive today from Grand Casino Mille Lacs will go to purchase food to help the member agencies in Aitkin, Brainerd, Garrison, Onamia, and Isle. We appreciate the dedication Grand Casino has shown, along with its Guests and Associates, to hunger relief.”

Grand Rapids Scouting For Food this Saturday, March 27th!

2010-03-26T14:56:00.001-05:00

Every spring the local scout packs and troops participate in the “Scouting for Food” service project. The local scouts will collect food door to door on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 9 am until 12 noon. The scouts dropped off plastic bags and fliers at most local in-town residents doors this week in hopes of residents being able to donate some non-perishable goods to the food drive. All proceeds of the local drive will go directly to the Grand Rapids Food Shelf located at the Second Harvest Food bank.

Please set out donations on Saturday morning by 9 am so the scouts can pick them up. There are also drop boxes at local churches and businesses in case your pick-up gets missed. Donations can be dropped at the Medicine Shoppe, Ogle’s Market Place Foods, Zion Lutheran Church, St. Andrew’s Church and St. Joe’s.

Please help with this worthy cause if you are able!

St Joseph’s Church Hosts Corned Beef Dinner for the Grand Rapids Food Shelf

2010-03-09T15:13:00.001-06:00

Please join St. Joseph’s Church and the Knights of Columbus on Saturday, March 13th from 6-7pm for a Corned Beef Dinner to benefit the Grand Rapids Food Shelf. Tickets are $8 for Adults and $4 for children under 12 and available at the door.

St Joseph’s Church is located at 315 SW 21st St in Grand Rapids. Thanks to the Knights of Columbus and St Joe’s for their support of Second Harvest and the Grand Rapids Food Shelf.

Add a quarter to your order at Grand Casino

2010-03-03T17:19:00.001-06:00

In 2009, there were more than 30,000 individual trips made to area food shelves surrounding the communities near Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley. In response, Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley are joining forces to fight hunger in their surrounding communities through the “Add a Quarter to Your Order” promotion.

The concept is simple. The “Add a Quarter to Your Order” promotion kicks off Monday, February 22. When you dine at Grand Casino Mille Lacs or Grand Casino Hinckley from February 22 until March 28, you will have the option of adding a quarter to your food order. All proceeds will benefit Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, which serves area food shelves around Grand Casino Mille Lacs, and Family Pathways shelters in Hinckley and Sandstone, which serve the communities surrounding Grand Casino Hinckley.

At the end of the promotion, Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley will match the donations raised at each respective property up to $5,000.

Join the Feinstein Challenge

2010-03-02T16:25:00.000-06:00

For the 13th consecutive year, Alan Shawn Feinstein will divide $1 million among anti-hunger agencies nationwide, using it as a spur to raise funds during March and April 2010.

All donations made to Second Harvest and the Grand Rapids Food Shelf from March 1st to April 30 will qualify for the challenge allocation. The more we raise, the more we will receive from the Feinstein Challenge.

Mr. Feinstein says "Please give whatever you can - I will gladly add some of my money to yours. Thank you for sharing my heart, and the hope that someday, no one will ever go hungry."

To participate in the Feinstein Challenge call Second Harvest, 218.326.4420 or online at our website www.secondharvestncfb.com

Thanks for your support!

Chef''s Gala Benefitting Second Harvest A Huge Success

2010-02-25T10:53:00.000-06:00

The first ever Chef's Gala Benefitting Second Harvest was a sold out event hosted by the Timberlake Lodge on Wednesday Feb. 10th. Over 240 people were served four gourmet courses and each chef described the dish he had prepared. Local celebrities were auctioned off to serve the table that purchased them. The event raised almost $9,000 for the hunger relief efforts of Second Harvest. Many thanks to the chefs, the Timberlake Lodge, KQ105.5, and everyone who supported the event!

Plant to Plate Soup Day

2010-01-29T15:05:00.001-06:00

Fourth graders from Southwest Elementary School in Grand Rapids made Golden Autumn Soup at the food bank on Tuesday. Plant to Plate coordinator Linda Russell, with support from University of Minnesota Extension NEA Gail Pollard and volunteers, took the students through the steps to make soup; cutting vegetables, measuring ingredients and adding food to the pot. While the soup cooked, the students made “bread in a bag” and baked it in the food bank’s oven.

Most of the students enjoyed the squash soup, many came back for seconds, thirds and even fourths! The project was an extension of the Plant to Plate garden project. Just like the garden this year, soup making was delayed. Most years, students make soup from the Plant to Plate garden after harvest. That didn’t work out this year, but soup in January is very good too.

Thanks to Linda and Gail and everyone who helped the students make and taste a new soup.

Lake Country Power Operation Round Up Helps Feed the Need

2010-01-08T16:25:00.001-06:00

Lake Country Power once again supports Second Harvest North Central Food Bank’s Itasca Holiday Program through a $3,500 grant from Operation Round Up. Many thanks to the members of Lake Country Power who help “Feed the Need.”

Sue and Rick accept the check from Operation Round Up

Second Harvest distributes over 3.6 million pounds of food in 2009 – thanks to generous community support

2010-01-04T15:46:00.001-06:00

Thanks to many generous donors, Second Harvest North Central Food Bank was able to “Feed the Need” in 2009. The food bank distributed over 3.6 million pounds of food in 2009 – a new record!

· Donor support enables Second Harvest Food Bank to implement innovative programs like the Grand Rapids Food Shelf, Itasca Holiday Program and Kids Packs to Go Backpack Program. We are able to store and transport wholesome, nutritious food quickly, and advocate for public policies that benefit America’s hungry.

· Second Harvest Food Bank depends on the contributions of its financial donors to secure and distribute food to hungry people in north central Minnesota.

· Just one dollar enables Second Harvest North Central Food Bank to provide up to 5 meals for people in need.

· Second Harvest takes pride in our commitment to keeping administrative costs low.

· That’s why for every dollar we raise, a full 94% goes directly to the programs we support.

· Second Harvest has earned the Charities Review Council approval.

· Together, we can provide hope to hungry Americans.

DRHS K.O.P.E. Feeds the Need

2009-12-31T11:30:00.001-06:00

The K.O.P.E. group from the Deer River High School, with help from Advocates for Family Peace organized a Penny Drive in Deer River area prior to Christmas with 100% of the proceeds going to Second Harvest Food Bank for the Itasca Holiday Program. K.O.P.E. stands for Kids Organizing for a Peaceful Environment.

Thanks to the Deer River businesses for allowing the Penny Drive buckets on their counters: Cenex, Holiday Station Store, Ott Drug, Jurvelin Hardware, The Outpost Bar and Grill, Shelley’s and Woodland Bank. The total collected was $232.90.

Thanks so much to K.O.P.E. and the Deer River businesses who helped Feed the Need this holiday season.

We Did Meet the Need

2009-12-23T16:17:00.001-06:00

Thanks to a caring and generous community, Second Harvest distributed approximately 1,700 holiday food boxes this season. Almost 2,000 kids received a gift bag. Everyone who requested assistance was helped, thanks to overwhelming community support. Thanks so much from Second Harvest North Central Food Bank. Happy Holidays!

Baich Clinic Supports Second Harvest

2009-12-22T14:05:00.001-06:00

Dr. Michael Baich’s Clinic in Coleraine supports the work of Second Harvest. Dr. Baich understands and appreciates that Second Harvest can stretch resources and feed many people. Thanks to Dr. Baich and his help in feeding the need this holiday season.

Eagles Auxiliary Supports Grand Rapids Food Shelf

2009-12-22T14:00:00.001-06:00

Once again, the Grand Rapids Eagles Auxiliary has come through in support of the Grand Rapids Food Shelf. Bingo night has been very successful and the club has designated the proceeds to the Food Shelf. This support is crucial as the food shelf strives to meet the increase in need we are experiencing right now. We sincerely appreciate this support.

Itasca Vintage Car Club Supports the Grand Rapids Food Shelf

2009-12-22T13:55:00.001-06:00

Members of the Itasca Vintage Car Club met at Second Harvest on Monday to present a check in support of the Grand Rapids Food Shelf. Itasca Vintage Car Club members are big supporters of Second Harvest and the Grand Rapids Food Shelf. In addition to financial donations, many members are regular volunteers. Many Thanks to the Itasca Vintage Car Club!

MN Ore Feeds the Need

2009-12-22T13:52:00.001-06:00

Scott Coleman, on behalf of the men and women of MN Ore, presented Second Harvest with a check on Friday morning. We sincerely appreciate the support from MN Ore to help provide a brighter holiday for people in this region.

Holiday Food Box Packing Fun

2009-12-16T09:56:00.001-06:00

Sunday, December 13th will go down as a record day for food boxing at Second Harvest. The 41 volunteers and many staff members packed almost 1,700 food boxes in slightly less than 3 hours.

The holiday food boxes contained ingredients for a holiday meal plus some staple items. A cookbook was included with recipes that could be made from items in the box.

Groups represented were: Itasca Vintage Car Club and the Baha’i Group along with food bank staff members families. Packing ran like clockwork because so many of them have volunteered for this before, some of them for many years. Thanks so much!

Volunteers pack over 1,600 toy bags Saturday

2009-12-16T09:38:00.001-06:00

Saturday, December 12th was a big day at Second Harvest when about 87 volunteers plus staff members packed over 1,600 bags of toys for local children in need.

Donated toys were stacked high in the bins when packing started at 9am. By 11, the bags were completed and organized by the community they would be distributed in.

Thanks to all the groups and individuals who came to help. Some of the larger groups were:

Nashwauk Alliance Youth Group
GR International Club
Lawron Church
Bethel Trinity Confirmation Classes

Countdown to the Itasca Holiday Program Toy Packing Day

2009-12-11T16:28:00.001-06:00

Today Second Harvest is buzzing with activity as we prepare to pack about 1,800 toy bags for local children. On Saturday morning over 80 volunteers will gather here to assemble bags of toys for children who have been referred to the program.

Each bag has the name of the parent, the age and gender of the child and the distribution location listed. Volunteers pack the bags according to instructions for each age group. By noon on Saturday we will have all the bags packed and ready for delivery to one of the nine communities where families come to pick up their gift bags and holiday food boxes.

On Monday, food bank delivery trucks start to take loads of food boxes, toy bags and other items like hats and mittens to each community where volunteers coordinate local distribution.

Thanks to a very caring, generous community, Second Harvest is confident that we will be able to Feed the Need this holiday season.

Grand Rapids Evening Rotary Club Meets at Second Harvest

2009-12-09T10:50:00.001-06:00

More than 30 members of the Grand Rapids Rotary Club met at Second Harvest on Monday evening for what has become an annual volunteer event. After a meal and short meeting, the club members received an update on Second Harvest and the Itasca Holiday Program. Then they got to work sorting hundreds of donated toys into age and gender categories. Some of the Rotarians chose packing commodity boxes instead of toy sorting.

Second Harvest depends on volunteers to accomplish the huge effort that the Itasca Holiday Program demands. This Rotary Club has been volunteering for the Itasca Holiday Program since Second Harvest moved into the new building in 2002. In addition to the annual evening project, the club has been instrumental in providing traffic control for the Grand Rapids distribution day.

ICC Nursing Students Help Feed the Need

2009-12-04T16:31:00.001-06:00

Today there were 40 students from the ICC Nursing Program volunteering at Second Harvest. After a brief overview about how Second Harvest operates, the students spent the morning re-packing frozen vegetables and stacking canned food for the Itasca Holiday Program food boxes.

It takes the work of many hands to provide for our neighbors in need. Thanks to the ICC Nursing Students for helping Feed the Need this holiday season.

KQ Ride to Feed the Need raised food and funds for Second Harvest yesterday

2009-12-03T16:56:00.001-06:00

KQ 105.5 Grand Rapids and the Iron Range brought the Trainwreck to Grand Rapids yesterday. The goal was a Ride to Feed the Need and support Second Harvest North Central Food Bank this holiday season. Thanks to all the businesses that participated:

· Wildwoods Trail Rides provided the draft horses and wagon

· Jerry’s Warehouse Liquor

· Tom Clusiau’s Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and GMC

· Ogle’s Marketplace Foods

· Lakes Area Credit Union

· Something Original

· Wings and Willows

· Mississippi Diamond Jewelers

· The Wardrobe

· Itasca Trail Sports

· River’s Italian

· Cell Phone Stuff

· Timberlake Lodge

· Rafferty’s Pizza

Thanks to the customers of these fine establishments for helping out the cause with donations of food or cash. Over $200 and almost 1,000 pounds of food was collected!

Thanks especially to KQ for holding this event!

Itasca Holiday Program Match Opportunity

2009-12-02T10:06:00.001-06:00

Mr. Lyman Loveland, a new friend of the food bank from Nebraska, with ties to our area, has offered the Itasca Holiday Program a match to generate new donations. Donations up to $2,000 between now and Friday, December 4^th will be matched and all donations given through the GiveMN.org option on our website will also have no fees charged!

Please help Feed the Need!

Food Stamp Usage Interactive Map from The New York Times

2009-12-01T10:10:00.001-06:00

Food stamp use has soared in many areas as more people are affected by the economic recession. Check out county by county information in this interactive map from The New York Times.

Ogles Marketplace Foods and Forest Lake School Stuff a Truck for the Grand Rapids Food Shelf

2009-11-23T15:33:00.001-06:00

Forest Lake Elementary School held a food drive and the classroom collecting the most food won a Pizza Party paid for by Ogle’s. Todd Peart’s Third Grade Classroom was the winner. The school brought in a total of 743 pounds. All of the food collected will be donated to the Grand Rapids Food Shelf. The Stuff –a -Truck store promotion also provided Ogles customers a way to help the food shelf by providing bags pre-packed with staple food items for customers to buy at check out. The effort resulted in 8 pallets of filled bags or 3,572 pounds of food for the Grand Rapids Food Shelf.

“It was a great collaboration between the store and the school and according to Kurt Ogle, Store Director, and we hope to get more schools involved next year. “ He added, “ The customers have been very supportive and he attributes that to the fact that so many people we all know are living through some pretty tough times and most people who are able to give want to help.”

Ogles employees pictured are: Kurt Ogle, Jim Davis, Rick Chambers, Dave Hill, Jeremy Mackey

Give to the Max Day a Huge Success

2009-11-19T16:35:00.001-06:00

Support for Second Harvest North Central Food Bank went through the roof on Tuesday’s Give to the Max Day. According to GiveMN.org, in 24 hours, $14 million in charitable donations went to over 3,400 Minnesota non-profit organizations, including over $20,000 to Second Harvest North Central Food Bank. This additional support could not have come at a better time, since the need for hunger relief grows every day due to the recession.

We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from this promotion. People were calling to ask if Second Harvest was part of the campaign and how to access it. We even had several people come in to the food bank and use our computers to make their donations. Donors were spurred on by the match that was offered and by the good coverage by the media.

According to a story in the today’s Star Tribune, the $500,000 match will only be .04 cents on the dollar, but that still adds up to feeding extra people here at Second Harvest. The match encouraged more people to give at a time of great need.

Many people throughout the state supported hunger relief organizations and Second Harvest Food Banks in particular. Second Harvest Heartland in St. Paul received the most donations overall and Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank in Duluth was ninth. These two food banks, along with Second Harvest North Central in Grand Rapids and three other food banks in Minnesota are part of the Feeding America network, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization.

The need is great this year. There is no sign of the recession lifting in the communities served by the food bank. In addition to large numbers of the poor and working poor, many newly unemployed people are exhausting their resources and coming to Second Harvest and their partner agencies for help.

Food shelf use in the region continues to increase as the recession continues (despite reports otherwise) and unemployment stays high. Compared to the first three quarters of 2008, household visits to food shelves in the region served by Second Harvest North Central Food Bank are up 13%. People who were able to get by on their own before, are now finding they need help meeting basic needs. As we enter the winter home heating season, we expect even more people will have to turn to food shelves to put food on the table and keep the house warm.

It is clear that in tough times like these, Minnesotans respond to help their neighbors in need.

St. Andrew’s Church Helps Feed the Need

2009-11-19T14:47:00.001-06:00

Confirmation students and leaders from St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids volunteered at Second Harvest on Wednesday, Nov. 18th and have the distinction of being the first volunteer group to help “Feed the Need” this holiday season.

Students cleaned and labeled cans, repacked some nutritional products and un-cased and stacked several food items for the Itasca Holiday Program food boxes.

It takes the work of many hands to provide for thousands of people in need in our area. Thanks to groups like St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Confirmation Students, Second Harvest is able to “Feed the Need” during the holidays and all year long.

Give to the MAX today

2009-11-17T11:13:00.001-06:00

Spread the Word! Support Second Harvest North Central Food Bank and Give to the Max today (Tuesday) from 8am until 8am tomorrow, Wednesday, November 18^th.

Especially this year, we need your help to feed thousands of people in crisis, our friends and neighbors, in north central Minnesota.

All donations made between 8am today and 8am tomorrow will be eligible for a portion of $500,000 from several Minnesota Foundations including the Blandin Foundation. And - Thanks to the Blandin Foundation there are NO FEES for this transaction. 100% of your donation comes right to Second Harvest.

Go to GiveMN.org and support Second Harvest today.

Itasca Farm Service Helps Feed the Need and the birds too

2009-11-16T14:33:00.001-06:00

Starting today, Itasca Farm Service will help Second Harvest Feed the Need this holiday season. From November 16 through 21^st, when customers purchase a 50 pound bag of Black Oil Sunflower Seeds at a special price, Itasca Farm Service will donate $2.00 to the Itasca Holiday Program.

Join Itasca Farm Service in Feeding the Need and help provide holiday food boxes to Itasca area families in need. The community will benefit and your birds will thank you.

Itasca County Farm Service • 900 NW 4^th Street • Grand Rapids, MN (218) 326-4102

Feed the Need Today

2009-11-11T09:29:00.001-06:00

Today Second Harvest Food Bank launches our 15^th annual Itasca Holiday Program. The theme this year is “Feed the Need” and the message couldn’t be more appropriate thanks to the dire state of the economy in northern Minnesota.

Second Harvest’s Itasca Holiday Program provides food boxes and new toys to Itasca County families in need during the holidays. This comprehensive program eliminates duplication of effort by multiple human service providers and engages the entire community to provide a brighter holiday season for friends and neighbors living with limited resources.

The need is great this year. There is no sign of the recession lifting in the communities we serve. In addition to large numbers of the poor and working poor, many newly unemployed people are exhausting their resources and coming to Second Harvest and our partner agencies for help.

Holidays are an especially stressful time. Add the cost of winter home heating expense and people living on the edge are thrown into crisis. Thanks to a caring community, we are able to “Feed the Need” during the holidays and throughout the year.

For more information on four ways to help “Feed the Need” check out our website: www.secondharvestncfb.com.