Last week, Bernard Berrian and Greg Lewis of the Minnesota Vikings passed out 50 turkeys to families in need at Sabathani Community Center in Minneapolis. Sincere thanks to Bernard for his ongoing support of Second Harvest Heartland and our neighbors in need.

Check out photos and a short video clip from the event:
 

While Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian may have his mind on the big Vikings-Packers game this weekend, he’s also planning for next week’s third annual turkey giveaway supporting Second Harvest Heartland!

Bernard’s generosity has resulted in more than $100,000 in donations to Second Harvest Heartland over the past three years—money that has helped provide Thanksgiving turkeys to hungry families in some of the neediest neighborhoods of Minneapolis. He is passionate about helping inner youth, and even more specifically, on ensuring that inner city youth have the good nutrition they need to succeed in school and life. Next week, Bernard and his friends will hand out 50 turkeys to families in need at Sabathani, a community center serving a culturally diverse population in South Minneapolis.

Because of Bernard’s support over the past few years, we’ve been able to provide the equivalent of 360,000 meals for our neighbors who may have otherwise not had food on Thanksgiving Day. Now that is something to be thankful for!

You can find more information about Bernard’s Turkey Drive here, or join him in his efforts by making a gift to Second Harvest Heartland.

Check out photos from last year’s event!

With the help of 2,071 donors, we finished in first place in yesterday’s Give to the Max Day, and will receive the additional $20,000 gift!

The day was an incredible and humbling display of the big-heartedness of our community. Thanks to the individual gifts, the matching funds from The Mosaic Company, and the additional $20,000 gift for first place, we raised more than $362,000 yesterday—enough to provide 1.3 million meals for our neighbors in need!

Check out the video thank you message from our Executive Director, Rob Zeaske, below. Big thanks to everyone who helped promote Give to the Max Day and who gave to Second Harvest Heartland–it was an amazing day!

Next Tuesday, thousands of individuals from around the state of Minnesota will log on to GiveMN.org for The Great Minnesota Give Together—the second annual Give to the Max Day. Last year, more than $14 million was raised for Minnesota nonprofits— in just 24 hours! More than 1,200 people stepped up in support of Second Harvest Heartland, giving almost $200,000 in total. It was an incredible turnout, and a display of unparalleled generosity.

New this year: For every $1 given to Second Harvest Heartland through GiveMN on Tuesday, The Mosaic Company will match 100% up to $100,000! In addition, Mosaic will cover all transaction fees for the first $100,000 in gifts—enabling us to apply an incredible 200% of every dollar you give directly to our programs. Will you help us do even better this year? Click here to sign up to receive a reminder email Tuesday morning.

Check out the PSA from local celebrities below, including Minnesota Vikings defensive end and Second Harvest Heartland supporter, Ray Edwards.

“Will you give?”