Second Harvest North Florida Volume 12 • Issue 2 • December 2010 www.WeNourishHope.org
Happenings
a newsletter for member agencies
SNAP outreach reduces demand on feeding programs
Each month, more than $6 million in SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called Food Stamps) go unclaimed in northeast Florida (Nassau, Duval, Clay and St. Johns counties). That represents a lot of groceries that families in need could be purchasing and lost revenue for local businesses. Second Harvest member agencies can reduce the demand on their feeding programs by ensuring that the people receiving food from them access the benefits for which they are potentially eligible. Second Harvest will send a trained staff member to
agency sites to work one-on-one with clients to help them complete the sign-up process.
Holiday Closings Please note that Second Harvest will be closed in observance of the Holidays on the following days:
For more information, or to schedule a visit, please contact Evelda Ash, 904.517.5563 or eash@WeNourishHope.org
Reminder:
Food Lion’s MVP Reward program feeds hungry people
Thanks to everyone for helping make this year’s first annual Second Harvest Family Helpings a success. On Thursday, Nov. 18, Second Harvest North Florida was able to distribute 1,000 turkey dinners to needy families. The dinners were made possible through generous contributions from Food Lion and Black Diamond Performance Reporting Group as well as a host of volunteers from both of these outstanding businesses.
How It Works Enroll by linking your MVP Card(s) to Second Harvest North Florida, and then every time you shop and present your MVP Card, the amount you spend on qualified items is automatically credited to Second Harvest to help feed people in need.
Next year, we hope to expand our distribution to 5,000 turkey dinners.
Mon.-Thurs.............7:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Fridays............................7:15 a.m.-noon
All that is needed is a quiet space with a table, chairs and wall outlet to accommodate our mobile, electronic sign-up system. Second Harvest can also supply agencies with information and supplies to help educate customers about what additional assistance is available for them.
Thanksgiving food giveaway huge success
While 1,000 turkey dinners is no small accomplishment, we know that the need continues to exceed our current resources.
Second Harvest Hours of Operation
Double Credit Days If you shop on the 10th of each month, Second Harvest earns double credit on Food Lion brand purchases. To register your MVP card, go to: www.foodlion.com; Second Harvest North Florida’s Organization Code is 252366.
Do you have questions about or need training on how to use our website or the new SHNF Plus+ purchase program? Contact: Jim Chynoweth Agency Relations Director 904.517.5553, fax 904.358.4281 jchynoweth@WeNourishHope.org
• Thursday, Dec. 23 • Friday, Dec. 24 • Friday, Dec. 31
Please be sure that you share this newsletter with all your staff and volunteers to be sure that everyone who is involved with your feeding program is aware of the latest news and updates.
Recent News: Website: For those of you who have not yet visited our new agency website, please, visit us at: Members.WeNourishHope.org Username: Second Password: Harvest We have made a great deal of information available for our partners, please take some time to explore the website, visit each of the sub-sections listed in the blue bar at the top of the screen and watch the welcome video we’ve posted providing an overview of the site. SHNF Plus+: As a reminder, Second Harvest North Florida now has a food purchase program available to all our member agencies. SHNF Plus+ exists to help you fill in potential gaps in your agency’s inventory by offering a selection of dry shelf stable grocery items at cost. Since we are able to buy in large bulk quantities, our prices are better than those of other retailers and of course we are passing on all the savings to you. For more information, please contact Elliot Darkatsh at 5175554 or edarkatsh@WeNourishHope.org
WE STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I TRY TO FEED MY KIDS FIRST AND ME LAST.” “I WORK WITH CLIENTS WHO DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO EAT. THEY ARE CHILDREN AND MANY TIMES THEY CAN N ONCENTRATE ON THEIR STUDIES, BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN THE HOME.” “IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN [THAT WE HAVE TO USE THE FOOD BANK], ONLY WHEN WORK SLOWS DOW WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO AVOID IT.” “WE STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I TRY TO FEED MY KIDS FIRST AND ME LAST.” “I WORK WITH CLIENTS WHO DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO EAT. THEY A HILDREN AND MANY TIMES THEY CAN NOT CONCENTRATE ON THEIR STUDIES, BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN THE HOME. “IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN [THAT WE HAVE TO USE THE FO
Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Jacksonville, FL Permit No. 1610
Second Harvest North Florida 1502 Jessie Street Jacksonville, FL 32206 WeNourishHope.org
Gathering resources. Sharing food. Serving people in need. WeNourishHope.org
CONTACT US
1502 Jessie Street Jacksonville, FL 32206 Main: 904.353.3663 (FOOD)
Member Agency Information: Jim Chynoweth, Agency Relations Director 904.517.5553, fax 904.358.4281 jchynoweth@WeNourishHope.org
Volunteer Information:
Jessie Sanders, Volunteer Coordinator 904.517.5560 jsanders@WeNourishHope.org
To Make Financial Donations: Karen Rieley, VP for Advancement 904.730.8281 krieley@WeNourishHope.org
uTo learn more, see http:// www.WeNourishHope.org/ how-to-help.
FROM SECOND HARVEST’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: The holiday season is a particularly busy time of year for those of us in social services, with extra people to help, special meals to serve, volunteers to coordinate, letters to send and a host of year-end details to finish. In the midst of the Thanksgiving and Christmas busyness, I must draw our attention to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which recently released sobering new statistics about the new level of hunger here in the United States. While many of us are celebrating and looking forward to feasts with friends and families, an unprecedented number of men, women and children are worrying about where they will get their next meal. 1 in 4 children and 1 in 7 of all Americans are at risk of hunger. Here in Florida the statistics are even grimmer; we are 1 of 2 states to see the largest increase in food insecurity in the country. Compounding our problems, while the national unemployment rate hovers at 9.8%, Florida suffers with a 12% unemployment rate – nearly 1 of every 8 Floridians is out of work.
I share these statistics to give us a moment to step back from the hectic schedule of serving those in need to acknowledge the enormity of the task that lies ahead of us. Two years ago Second Harvest distributed 7.6 million pounds. In 2010 we have distributed more than 18 million pounds of food. We are growing, but so is the need; we need to be distributing 40 million pounds of food to adequately serve those who are hungry. We know that will only be possible because of you, our partner agencies. Thank you for your commitment to helping us end hunger here in north Florida and for the love and compassion you show every day. The challenges facing us are large, but I have confidence that together our network will overcome them. I look forward to finding new ways and new partnerships in 2011 to connect those in need with the resources that exist. May the grace and peace of this season find all of you wrapped in the warmth of those you love. Thomas Mantz, Executive Director
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