On March 4, WeCanEndThis.com was launched: a yearlong initiative to spark innovation and a broader engagement in the movement to end hunger in America. The project is a result of the partnership of Share Our Strength, Feeding America, Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, Mashable, PepsiCo, ConAgra Food Foundation, and Tyson Foods.

The first project is the Digital Can Drive, rewarding people for committing to take action. If you pledge to Give, Share or Volunteer on WeCanEndThis.com before March 18, you can help ensure Minnesota (or your state) gets a truckload of protein from Tyson Foods!

As I write this, Minnesota is in 10th place with 54 “Cans” pledged. Will you help spread the word, and help bring a truckload of protein to Minnesota for our hungry neighbors? The top 10 states will receive the product–so we need your help to stay above the “red line”!

Please help us spread the word!

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With your help, we can bring an entire truckload of food to Minnesota to help fill the tables at the homes of our hungry neighbors!

We’re thrilled with the success so far of the Pound for Pound Challenge, and the extent to which our community has stepped up! Second Harvest Heartland has been the leading food bank for most of the challenge, thanks to nearly 4,000 individual pledges. Today, we’re asking you to help us get the word out; with your help, we can hit the 100,000 pound mark!

As I write this, we’re at 99,660 pounds pledged in our community. That’s only 340 pounds to pledge to hit 100,000 pounds, and $14,000 donated to Feeding America. (That’s less than 70 people needed to pledge only 5 pounds!)

Will you help us get the word out?

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Or, use the “ShareThis” link below to text, email, or blog it. Thanks for your help!

Each year, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine throws the “Best of the Best Party,” featuring food, wine, and cocktail samplings from the best restaurants in the Twin Cities. Last year, the event drew more than 1,000 people and raised more than $7,000 for Second Harvest Heartland.

Join us for this year’s event on Monday, February 15 at 7pm at the Guthrie in Minneapolis. Tickets are $35, and are still available on Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s website by clicking here!

The study released today from Feeding America reports that more than 37 million people in America receive emergency food each year through the nation’s network of food banks and the agencies we serve. The findings represent a staggering 46 percent increase since the 2006 study.

While it’s no secret that the economy has taken its toll on the country and on our neighbors, it’s staggering to consider that that in the Second Harvest Heartland service area alone, hunger has doubled. Twice as many people in our community are visiting food shelves and soup kitchens than they were just five years ago.

Key takeaways:

• Households served annually through SHH in 2005 equaled 224,200; the number now totals 468,000.
• 40 percent of households served each year have at least one child under the age of 18.
• While we primarily serve the working poor, this study demonstrates the devastating impact of the weakening economy, which over the past two years has left more Americans without work, without homes and without food. Only 36 percent of households we serve now have at least one employed adult (168,480), a 12 percent decrease.

We are committed to finding innovative ways of securing more food and increasing participation in existing and funded food assistance and nutrition programs, and will leave no stone unturned as we strive to put an end to hunger in our community.

Looking for a way to help? By supporting our neighbors in need, you’re supporting the community at large. With each $10 gift to Second Harvest Heartland, we can provide a month’s worth of meals to a family of four. Make a gift now >>

This coming Saturday, there are two ways for you to have a “ball” and support hunger relief in our community.

Crispin IceBall

The first is the Crispin IceBall The Midway Stadium. The lot opens at 11 AM with tailgating and live entertainment (courtesy of Cities 97), and the second annual IceBall Game (played on the snow and ice featuring vintage base ball rules) first pitch is at 1:30. Current, former and future St. Paul Saints players will host the Washington County Historical Society vintage base ball club, the St. Croix Base Ball Club. The event is a fundraisier–it’s free, but donations (both food and funds) are encouraged and proceeds will be donated to SHH.

Vintner Ball
During the fall of 2005, a group of wine enthusiasts from the Twin Cities were inspired to develop a unique event: a world-class, charitable wine tasting with 100% of funds raised benefiting the community and a local cause. What followed was the enlistment of wine distributors, connoisseurs, local businesses and finally, a stunning event in the heart of winter. Thus began the Vintner Ball.

On Saturday, the Vintner Ball will host the fifth annual First Growths for Second Harvest, generating warmth in the heart during the chill of winter. This year the bar has been set even higher, with a goal of surpassing last year’s donations for Second Harvest and providing yet another world-class wine tasting experience.

Visit www.vintnerball.com for more information and tickets!

Thanks to everyone who came out in support of the Pound for Pound Challenge to The Biggest Loser Season Premiere Party in Minneapolis! Attendees enjoyed mini-manicures, brow waxes, chair massages, lessons from personal trainers, Wii Fit demos and exciting giveaways such as a Wii gaming system and Wii fit and a $500 spa getaway package.

Best of all, attendees pledged the Pound for Pound Challenge in an effort to “Lose Nationally, Feed Locally.” For every pound pledged, the Pound for Pound Challenge will donate 14 cents to Feeding America–enough to deliver one pound of groceries to a local food bank.

Check out the photos and videos from the event–and don’t forget to pledge your pounds now at pfpchallenge.com!

Video:

Photos:

Join us one week from today, Tuesday, January 5 for The Biggest Loser Season Premiere Party at Solera in Downtown Minneapolis!

Beginning at 6:00pm, you’ll enjoy hors d’oeurves, a cash bar, exciting enter-to-win opportunities and other Biggest Loser-related freebies. Two lucky guests will win a Nintendo Wii gaming system and Wii Fit!

Grab a seat at 7:00 for the show, and enjoy even more entertainment, fitness tips and other activities with KS95′ s Staci Matthews during commercial breaks. Register now and be entered to win a VIP package, including preferred seating at the event.

Space is limited, so click here to register now!

Why are we throwing a party for The Biggest Loser?

Because it’s the kickoff of the second annual Pound for Pound Challenge, of course! This exciting fundraising program was formed by a partnership of NBC’s The Biggest Loser, General Mills and Feeding America to encourage Americans to “Lose Nationally, Feed Locally.”

Sign up and pledge your weight loss goals at www.pfpchallenge.com. For every pound you pledge, the Pound for Pound Challenge will donate 14 cents to Feeding America – enough to deliver one pound of groceries to a local food bank. The more signups and pledges in our area, the more donations will come to Second Harvest Heartland to help feed those in need right here in our community.

Coming to the event? That’s great. You can pledge your pounds online at pfpchallenge.com, or just sign up at the party.

But remember, space is limited–so register for the party now!

All of us at Second Harvest Heartland are deeply saddened by the passing of the Rev. Dick Goebel. As the founder of what is today Second Harvest Heartland, Dick had a tremendous impact on hunger relief in our community—both in terms of getting food to those in need and inspiring others to join in the fight to end hunger. Dick’s heartfelt enthusiasm, tremendous vision, boundless compassion, and respect for others will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dick’s family at this difficult time.

Rob Zeaske
Executive Director
Second Harvest Heartland

Rev. Dick Goebel passed away Sunday, December 20, at age 73. Dick founded the Greater St. Paul Second Harvest Food Bank in 1982 and remained its executive director until his retirement in 2001. Dick contributed to the creation of the Second Harvest Greater Minneapolis Food Bank, which later merged with the St. Paul Food Bank to become Second Harvest Heartland. His dedicated service left a lasting legacy, and his memory is cherished by everyone at Second Harvest Heartland and in the greater hunger relief community.

Swing into the holiday season and support Second Harvest Heartland by picking up your copies of Home for the Holidays: A Minnesota Christmas and Christmas Jam: The Best of the Midwest.  These CD’s provide festive holiday entertainment to be shared with family and friends while making the holidays just a bit brighter for our hungry neighbors.  

Home for the Holidays: A Minnesota Christmas

15 local musicians team up to celebrate the holidays and to raise money for IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park, benefiting Second Harvest Heartland and other local charities.  This collection of holiday favorites can be purchased for $9.99 at all metro-area Target stores and includes a free ticket to the IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park at Phalen Park in St. Paul.  The CD can also be purchased while visiting the Holiday Lights tour.

Christmas Jam: Best of the Midwest

Ramblin Ranch & Tree House Productions present Christmas Jam: The Best of the Midwest, a collaborative project made possible by countless hours of volunteer effort.  This homegrown compilation of holiday classics benefits Second Harvest Heartland and other local food shelves, Christmas Jam can be purchased at Best Buy, the Electric Fetus, and Cheapo.

This year, as Thanksgiving approached, I was decidedly thankful. For me and my household, 2009 was a bountiful year by any objective measure. However, both from my own circles as well as from news story after news story about the economy, it is painfully clear that the same was not true for many in MN and beyond.

So, when I as pushing my cart through the aisles of the grocery store, filling the cart with food for that one day, I couldn’t help but think about the statistic that impressed me most about Second Harvest Heartland when I first heard about the organization: that they turn every dollar donated into $9 worth of food to distribute.

Looking at my cart full of food (somewhere in the baking aisle), I came to a snap decision. For every dollar spent for my family gathering from the good year I had, I’d donate a matching dollar to Second Harvest, which they turn into nine dollars to help those who had more difficulty this year.

Once I decided, I’m fairly certain I started adding food to my cart with nearly reckless abandon. While I was feeding a fairly large group and for most of the day (not just the big meal), I was still startled when my cashier told me my total: $305.

However, I’m fairly certain she was even more startled when I grinned as I pulled out my wallet. I explained my plan to her as well as the 9:1 ratio from Second Harvest. As the giant receipt printed, she said she’d be telling other customers about the idea.

Over the next couple of days, I shared the idea with people over Twitter and in person. A few told me that they would join me on a different ratio or just giving a fixed donation and one quietly shared that their sister was actually someone who needed the help of a food shelf this year.

Earlier this week, I rounded my grocery bill up to $350 and made my donation. Based on that amazing ratio, Second Harvest will be able to distribute $3150 in food. After reflecting on the experience, I’m going to be doing this every Thanksgiving. Will you join me next year?

–
J Wynia
Minneapolis, MN
http://wynia.org