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In the business of caringDine, bid and laugh at DishThanks for helping kick hungerStamp Out Hunger in May

Healthy Hunger Relief

Dish: Cuisine for ChangeApril 19 • Saint Paul River Center

The Mission Beyond the Mission

A message from our Executive Director

The Mission Beyond the Mission

A message from our Executive Director

You can help.

Together we are transforming hunger relief. Mark your calendar with these events. Go to 2harvest.org/events for more details..

Dish is an elegant evening of fine food, exciting auctions items, wine tasting and fabulous entertainment, all benefiting Second Harvest Heartland.To purchase tickets and tables, click here.

You know Second Harvest Heartland as an organization committed to fighting hunger in new and sustainable ways. Our top priority is to secure enough food to help serve the families, children and seniors who need it most. We collect and distribute millions of pounds of food every year through our network of agency partners. The food we o�er includes everything from fruits and vegetables to packaged foods, breakfast cereals and snacks.

We know how important a balanced diet is to staying healthy; for kids to do well in school; for parents to have the energy to pick up extra hours at work when money is tight; and for seniors at risk of health issues to maintain their strength. As the need for food has increased over the past three years, so have our e�orts to collect fresh foods. Thanks to your support, we’ve

Get in GearApril 30 • Minnehaha ParkRaise funds by participating in the Get in Gear 10K, 5K Run/Walk, Half Marathon or 2K Fun Run.Click here for more information.

Stamp Out HungerMay 14 • Your mailboxHelp us reach our goal of 1.3 million pounds this year by donating right at your mailbox.To learn more, click here.

taken a leading role in several pioneering programs to provide healthy food options for people at risk of hunger.

From Harvest to Home is a newer program that pairs Minnesota growers with food banks like Second Harvest Heartland to collect un-harvested or unsold crops. In its first year, the program collected more than 14 trucks full of sweet corn, more than 1 million pounds of potatoes and a mixed truck full of watermelon, green peppers and sweet corn. Meals for Minds is a new school pantry program that distributes fresh produce and other grocery items at eight schools in low-income areas. And Food Rescue, our fastest-growing source of food, is a partnership with more than 275 retail stores that donate produce, dairy, meat, bakery and other items. Food Rescue accounted

for more than 25% of the food we distributed last year.

While I know we’ve told you a bit about these programs in past newsletters, I think it’s important to continue to reiterate—our donors, volunteers, advocates and friends—that we are not only doing everything we can to ensure more food for our neighbors, but also to be the best possible stewards of your support. We couldn’t do this important work without you. Thank you.

CEORob Zeaske,

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In The Business of CaringFor more than seven years, members and employees of A�nity Plus Federal Credit Union branches from across the state have been teaming up to make a di�erence in the lives of our hungry neighbors.

Through a month long Food & Fund Drive, they strive to reach their goal of collecting food and funds while helping our hungry neighbors. And with their passionate plan to create awareness about the need, they are able to do just that.

A�nity Plus members participate in the drive and help it go even further. “Our members want to give back and they care about people in our communities,” Sandra Olson, Event Coordinator/Member Advisor of A�nity Plus said.

In order for their members to be able to give back even more, A�nity Plus gives them the opportunity to turn in points they receive through their banking account and use them to donate cash to the drive. “Members could use these points to reduce the rate on their car loans or mortgages, but instead they choose to donate it,” Sandra says. “We are fortunate to have such kind members.”

It’s not just members that are a part of the drive, employees give back, too. Branches throughout the state compete to see who can collect the most food and funds and are given

extra opportunities to wear jeans to work if they participate. “A�nity Plus has always strived to hire passionate and caring people and it can be seen through their participation in the drive—they all really want to help,” Sandra told us. As the economy has continues to weaken, A�nity Plus knows the need is great. “It’s not just other people in need anymore, our members may now need the extra help and because of this, we want to make sure we are reaching out to help as many people as we can.” Sandra says. “It really is a drive in which our members are not only helping just people they may not know, but instead it is members helping members and we take comfort in knowing we can help the people we see every day.”

Since 2003, A�nity Plus has collected more than $66,000 and 10,000 pounds of food, all of which helps those in need in our community. Sandra told us, “We know what we are able to raise goes directly into the hands of those in need and it is great we can support our communities.”

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012SAINT PAUL RIVERCENTRE • 6-10 PM

Dish: Cuisine for Change is an evening of sumptuous food,

exquisite wine,auction items and uproarious entertainment

in support of Second Harvest Heartland—the region’s largest

hunger-relief organization.

CUIS INE FOR CHANGE

Presented by

A�nity Plus Federal Credit Union

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LEARN ABOUT THE POWERFUL ROLE OF OUR ANNUAL EVENTS

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Each year, hundreds of people, organizations and other groups gather together in support of Second Harvest Heartland. The variety of supporting events varies from birthday or graduation fundraisers in place of gifts, to food and wine events that draw hundreds of people and hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of hunger relief in our communities.

No matter the size or type of event, the collective power of these events in support of our work has a truly transformational impact on what we’re able to accomplish. We wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the most notable benefitting events and extend our sincere thanks to our community partners and friends who put in a significant amount of time and energy to make them possible.

Vintner BallWine lovers sip for a cause

For the past five years, a group of wine enthusiasts have curated hun-dreds of fine wines from around the world, hors d'oeuvres and auction items to create the Vintner Ball. Over time, the event has collected more than $800,000 in donations—enough to provide nearly 3 million meals to those in need. This year’s Vintner Ball took place two weeks ago at the Westin Edina Galleria.

View photos from past years’ events >>

Taste of the VikingsFootball party helps kick childhood hunger

While the players get a break from the game on their bye week each fall, many of them spend their Monday mingling, signing autographs and taking pictures with attendees of the Taste of the Vikings. Modeled after the national event, Taste of the NFL, Taste of the Vikings is the “party with a purpose” that combines the culinary talents of local chefs, NFL celebrities and hunger-relief. Last year’s event raised more than $80,000 to help kick childhood hunger right here in our communities.

Check out photos from the event >>TASTE OF THE VIKINGS

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VINTNER BALL

Vintner BallFebruary 25th

Dish: Cuisine for Change April 19th

Food ManiaJuly 16th-27th

Taste Of NFL Fall 2012

Food & Fund DrivesThroughout 2012

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Dish: Cuisine for ChangeAnnual fundraising gala inspires transformation and feeds hope

While Dish is organized by Second Harvest Heartland sta�, the successes we’ve experienced have only been made possible by our generous supporters. For the past nine years, our signature gala has featured some of the finest food from the Twin Cities, entertainment and live and silent auctions—all in support of providing more food for our neighbors in need. Last year, the event raised nearly $500,000 in support of our work; the event is our largest single-day fundraiser and is made possible only by the nearly 1,500 attendees and generous sponsors, restaurants and auction donors.

Learn more or get tickets to this year’s event >>

Stamp Out HungerLetter carriers collect food on doorsteps across the nation

Stamp Out Hunger is the world’s largest single-day food drive, collecting more than 70 million pounds of food across the United States. The National Association of Letter Carriers partners with food banks, food shelves and pantries on a local level to collect bags of food donated on the doorsteps of the carriers’ normal routes, then deliver the goods to the hunger-relief organizations. Locally, the drive wouldn’t be possible without the generous donation of time by the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 9, Minneapolis and Branch 28, St. Paul; Cub Foods; KARE 11; Minnesota Transport Services Association and partners; and WCCO Radio.

Stay tuned for updates about this year’s event >>

Food & Fund DrivesNeighborhoods and corporations alike gather cans and coins to fight hunger

Canned food drives are an age-old practice for groups looking for a charitable component of events or employee campaigns. But more and more organizations and individuals are making a bigger impact today than ever before. In 2011, more than 1,000 drives collected nearly $800,000 and 320,000 pounds of food: enough to provide more than 3 million meals to our hungry neighbors.

Learn more or start your own drive >>4.

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DISH

to the agencies that need it,” Gus said. “It’s incredible to see the

increase in poundage, and the support we receive so that we can

get the food to those who need it.”

A typical day for Gus starts around 6:00 a.m. He organizes the

Voices of HungerTHE FRONT LINES OF HUNGER RELIEF

SARAH KRENTZ:Child Hunger Specialist

I get to interact with volunteers who make direct impact on those in need.

It really is why I love what I do.

While collecting food at a Target Meals for Minds School Pantry event recently, a teary-eyed mom looked to Sarah Krentz and said, “Before we had this opportunity to come here and get food, we had bare cabinets and I didn’t know how I was going to provide for my kids, but now this program means so much to me. You have taken the worry o� of my plate.”

These stories are heard often and remind Sarah, Child Hunger Specialist at Second Harvest Heartland, how important her work is. In her busy role facilitating Meals for Minds sites across our communities, Sarah helps get food to families in need...and it is no small feat.

With funding from Target, the Meals for Minds School Pantry Program helps provide food at schools across the Twin Cities. Each month during the school year, a grocery distribution site is set up inside eight participating schools, and families can receive groceries for each child enrolled at the school. Since the program’s inception in 2010, more than 460,000 pounds of food has been distributed, providing enough food for more than 350,000 meals for families.

Before the groceries are even distributed, much help is needed from sta� and volunteers. “These events require a lot of hands-on work; not only do volunteers help prepare the food so people can easily get what they need, but they are also interfacing directly with the public and that makes this opportunity unique.” Each distribution site

January 12th marked the second annual Let’s Kick Hunger Day radiothon, when hundreds of hunger-relief activists and WCCO Radio listeners called in to pledge their support. Thanks to the callers, sponsors and generous talents of the on-air hosts, this year’s event raised more than $160,000 in total—50% of which stay local to fight hunger her in our communities, and the other 50% distributed through NFL markets throughout the country. Special thanks to General Mills, Land O’Lakes, Taste of the NFL and WCCO Radio for making this special event possible.

needs about 27 volunteers and they couldn’t function without the support. “We are always looking for addi-tional help and if anyone has interest in interacting with the public, then this is the perfect opportunity for them to do just that.”

Sarah knows all of this work is only needed if families participate in the program. “We have to show families that Meals for Minds is a program they can rely on and it will be here again,” she says. “If we make it a good shopping experience, they will come back and spread the

word to others in their community.” By working with school principals, teachers and parents, they are able to create awareness about the program and ultimately increase participation. By creating a positive experience, Meals for Minds has had a 30% increase in participation compared to last year’s program. “I am constantly reminded of how rewarding my job is,” says Sarah. “I get to see the look on families faces when they receive food and I get to interact with volunteers who make direct impact on those in need. It really is why I love what I do.”

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AN EXTRA EFFORT FOR OUR HUNGRY NEIGHBORS

Stamp Out HungerThere are many ways to tell when spring is upon us: rain showers, blooming flowers and greener grass. But another sign of the season is bags plump full of food at mailboxes across the Twin Cities.

Each year, Second Harvest Heartland is supported by Stamp Out Hunger, the National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual food drive in which letter carriers collect hundreds of thousands of pounds of food from doorsteps. Last year alone, this event collected nearly 900,000 pounds of food for our neighbors in need. What may seem like a simple event—setting food out by your mailbox—actually entails a remarkable amount of work from numerous groups of people throughout our community.

Foodshare CampaignEach March, Minnesota FoodShare directs the largest food drive in the state and restocks 300 food shelves across Minnesota. It recruits thousands of congregations, companies, schools and civic groups to run local food and fund drives to aid in the effort.

To Contribute Directly to the 2012 March Campaign,visit 2harvest.org/marchcampaign. To find out howyour company or organization can get involved, visit mnfoodshare.gmcc.org

And it all begins with awareness. Cub Foods takes the lead by distributing Stamp Out Hunger branded bags in their stores and letter carriers distribute them to mailboxes notifying and reminding the general public that the event is coming.

And day of logistics planning wouldn’t be possible without support from the Minnesota Transport Services Association and their member companies. From their help with scheduling local moving companies for day-of activities to delivering the food to Second Harvest Heartland - it takes coordination and e�ort from all involved.

Howard Markus, Executive Director of the Minnesota Transport Services Association, knows there is a need for food and this is just one of the ways the association works to support our community. “Hunger is a large problem in our community, but by participating in Stamp Out

Hunger, we are able to help people. It really is very important and an event our members enjoy being a part of.”

Without the tremendous amount of energy and e�ort from the letter carriers, Stamp Out Hunger wouldn’t be possible. On the day of the event, letter carriers are not only responsible for delivering and collecting the mail, but they are also tasked with picking up food that has been left at mailboxes. It doesn’t end there, once their route is complete, they drop o� all the food they collected at participating Cub Food locations. From there, the trucks that the Minnesota Transport Services Association members provide, deliver the food to Second Harvest Heartland.

“As mail carriers, we are in neighborhoods six day a week and we know there is a great need,” says Mike Zagaros, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers (Branch (9)). “But with just a little e�ort on our part, we can make a big di�erence in the lives of those in need.” What’s more is the letter carriers are happy to help. “They are always cheerful and enthusiastic,” Howard told us about the letter carriers. “It really is an honor and a pleasure to work with them.”

This year’s Stamp Out Hunger event takes place on Saturday, May 12. Planning is already well underway, bringing people an incredible amount of people together, all for the greater good. Watch for the blue Cub Foods bag in your mailbox and remember to put food out to help our neighbors in need.

Click here to learn more.

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Cause & E�ectYou supported the cause. Here is the change you’ve effected

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DRIVES IN 2011 #Of Food & Fund Drives hasrisen

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Food &

d DriveIt’s serious fun.