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

Tuesday, November 17 is “Give to the Max Day” on GiveMN, and that means your donations will be matched when made through our fundraising page on the GiveMN website.

The Saint Paul Foundation, Minneapolis Foundation and Bush Foundation have committed $500,000 in matching contributions to support community needs in Minnesota and to cover transaction fees so that 100% of all donations go to participating nonprofit organizations!

All you need to do is click here to visit the Second Harvest Heartland fundraising page on GiveMN. Donations made between 8:00 AM on Tuesday, November 17 and 8:00 AM Wednesday, November 18 will be matched!

Important: Donations made through our website will not be matched. You must make your donation via GiveMN to be eligible. Make your gift now!

Click the “ShareThis” link below to forward this info to your friends & family. Help us take advantage of this one-day match opportunity!

As a foodservice distributor, US Foodservice works with hundreds of food companies as they distribute their products to restaurants across the country. Kurt Nelson, Vice President of Marketing for the US Foodservice distribution center in Plymouth, Minnesota, had a brainstorm one day: “How about asking these vendors and customers to unite with US Foodservice-Plymouth to donate much needed food to Second Harvest Heartland?”

Thus, the Drive Out Hunger campaign began. After a month of working with their vendors and customers, US Foodservice was able to deliver to Second Harvest Heartland an entire truckload of various food products weighing 25,087 pounds. It included nutritious items such as bananas, cauliflower, broccoli, as well as much needed protein items like pot roast and hamburgers.

Bob Chatmas, Chief Operating Officer of Second Heartland, was thrilled with the results of this hard work by US Foodservice. “You and your team are terrific!” Bob said to Kurt. “For all the people in our communities that will have food on their tables because of this donation – thank you!!”

Kurt was also pleased with the results. “It has been a great experience for us to work together with suppliers to further support our relationship with Second Harvest Heartland. We’re especially proud that we smashed our 20,000 pound goal by 25%!”

A big thank you to US Foodservice-Plymouth, their suppliers and customers for this generous donation of food.

Bremer Bank kicked off its fourth annual “Taking Action Against Hunger” campaign this week! Bremer recognizes the growing need for food during the summer months, when more families utilize food shelves as children are home from school and do not have access to subsidized meal programs.

“Bremer’s vision is to build healthy communities through partnerships,” said CEO and President Steve Meads. “We believe we can achieve this vision by meeting basic needs in our communities, and ending hunger seems like a great place to start. We invite everybody in the community to help us take action to end hunger. Thanks for your valued partnership and effort.”

Want to help Bremer Take Action Against Hunger this month? Anytime between now and the end of the month, you can stop by your local Bremer Bank, make a donation online or send a check to: Second Harvest Heartland, attn: Taking Action Against Hunger,1140 Gervais Ave., St. Paul, MN 55109.

With a requested minimum donation of $5, you can receive a reusable grocery tote available at all Bremer Bank locations while supplies last! If you donate online or send a check, please bring a copy of your receipt or check to the bank to receive a reusable grocery tote.

The National Association of Letter Carriers is at it again, collecting food and monetary donations nationwide to feed our hungry neighbors. With the weakened economy and the increased demand for emergency food, there’s an urgent need to help feed those children, working families and seniors in our communities who are struggling to put food on the table.

This year’s goal for Stamp Out Hunger: Minneapolis/St. Paul is just over 1 million pounds of food – collected in one day! But to accomplish this incredible feat, we need your help.

It’s easy to participate!

1. This week,  look for a blue plastic bag in your mailbox. Fill it with non perishable food items (no homemade items or glass containers, please) and set it by your mailbox on Saturday, May 9th. Your letter carrier will do the rest.
2. Donate online, or stop into your nearest TCF Branch to make a cash donation. For each $5 donated, Second Harvest Heartland can distribute $45 worth of food and grocery products to our hungry neighbors.
3. Sign up to volunteer at one of 28 Cub Foods locations on May 9!

More and more people in our community need our help. Will you join us in this effort to Stamp Out Hunger in the Twin Cities?

For the past year I’ve been writing a personal finance blog at www.biblemoneymatters.com talking about my faith and finances, and writing daily articles about how to get out of debt, save, give and prosper.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to enter a competition for personal finance writers at FreeMoneyFinance.com. 64 bloggers submitted one of their best articles about personal finance in hopes of being voted the champion. The final four articles to remain standing in the competition would all receive a donation to the charity of their choice.

Choosing a charity was an easy task for me. Growing up my father worked for many years at a Downtown Minneapolis food shelf. Through his work there I was able to see first hand the impact that local food shelves, and food banks like Second Harvest Heartland, can have on a community. Not only are they able to feed people who are hungry and in need, but they’re able to give hope to the those in need when they’re going through tough times.

A friend of mine worked at Second Harvest Heartland, and through him I knew of the good work that they were doing. After doing some research on the Second Harvest website I found that for each $1 donated, they are able to distribute more than $9 worth of groceries to those in need. In addition, 96% of each dollar of revenue goes directly to the programs, so I knew my donation would be put to good use. Second Harvest’s mission was one I wanted to support, so I chose them as my charity.

Since I was competing with 64 other very good bloggers, I wasn’t expecting to make it very far. To my surprise, after four rounds of voting I was still standing and on my way to the final four. Because I had made it to the finals, I knew that I would at least be able to make a $100 donation to Second Harvest, which was exciting. Then after winning a hard-fought semi-final matchup, I moved on to a the championship round where the winner would receive a $500 donation to their charity. And after several days of roller coaster voting, I was able to pull out a victory by a tiniest of margins, two votes. With those two votes it was ensured that Second Harvest Heartland would receive a $500 donation to help feed families in need.

The $500 donation we were able to make through this contest may not seem like much, but with Second Harvest Heartland’s help that $500 will help distribute more than $4500 worth of groceries. Our small donation will make a huge impact!

My desire is that others will be inspired by this small victory and be moved to donate as well. You may not feel like you’re giving very much, but every little bit helps! Your $5 donation will provide 20 meals to the hungry! That’s an amazing impact from such a small donation. If you’re thinking about donating today, just do it, you’ll receive far more in return than you’ll ever give.

Peter Anderson
www.biblemoneymatters.com

This past weekend, Southwest Airlines officially launched service to Minneapolis/St. Paul, and kicked off the festivities by donating over a ton of chili to Second Harvest!

In addition, Southwest partnered with Cub Foods to offer shoppers a chance to win a pair of round-trip tickets in exchange for purchasing a $5 or $10 prepared food bag to donate.

Tune in to minute 1:45 in the video below to see the donations made to Second Harvest Heartland, and a clip from our Executive Director, Rob Zeaske.

Second Harvest Heartland extends a heartfelt “thank you” to Southwest Airlines and Cub Foods!

Christmas came early at Second Harvest Heartland as we accepted our largest-ever single corporate donation—a $500,000 gift from Minnetonka-based Cargill.

This gift comes as the need for hunger relief has never been greater. Although support for emergency food relief has been tremendous, the demand is still outstripping the supply.

We want to thank Cargill and all the other generous corporate and individual donors who have come forward to help those seniors, working families and children who struggle to find enough food each week. With the sustained support of individuals and generous corporations like Cargill, we will continue to work towards ensuring that all of everyone in our community has access to nutritious food.

As you may or may not have heard, Eide Bailly LLP and Mackall Crounse and Moore, PLC challenged other local accounting and law firms to help end hunger in our community – in a campaign called “Food Mania.” Seventeen firms stepped up to join the fight – and the results were phenomenal. On behalf of Second Harvest Heartland, I want to extend a very special “thanks” to Eide Bailly LLP and Mackall Crounse and Moore, PLC and all participating firms for the tremendous success of the first annual Food Mania challenge.

Over a two week period, the firms raised $45,693 and 4,458 pounds of food. These donations will help Second Harvest Heartland feed those in our community who are hungry.

So again – thank you to all participating firms for joining the fight to end hunger. We are so much more than grateful for your support.

As you may have heard, Will Smith is in town this week promoting his new movie, “Seven Pounds” – which will premiere in the Twin Cities this Friday afternoon at AMC Southdale in Edina. Tickets to the screening will be given away to the first 250 people who come with a can of food to donate to Second Harvest Heartland.

Want to see the premiere and meet Will but avoid the lines and the cold? Anyone who subscribes to our email newsletter between now and Thursday afternoon at 5:00 pm will be entered to win a pair of VIP tickets. Click here to sign up now! (Already a member? You should have received an email from us. Forward that to your family and friends and you’ll be automatically entered to win.) We will also honor new Facebook fans. Get your family and friends to become a fan of Second Harvest Heartland on Facebook, and we’ll add them to the list!

Will heard about Bernard Berrian’s efforts to fight to end hunger in the heartland, and is donating turkeys to Bernard’s Holiday Meals fund. If you can’t make it on Friday, consider donating to the fund to help feed hungry families this holiday season.

Check your email Friday morning to find out if you’ve won!