Join the Feinstein Challenge

For the 13th consecutive year, Alan Shawn Feinstein will divide $1 million among anti-hunger agencies nationwide, using it as a spur to raise funds during March and April 2010.

All donations made to Second Harvest and the Grand Rapids Food Shelf from March 1st to April 30 will qualify for the challenge allocation. The more we raise, the more we will receive from the Feinstein Challenge.

Mr. Feinstein says "Please give whatever you can - I will gladly add some of my money to yours. Thank you for sharing my heart, and the hope that someday, no one will ever go hungry."

To participate in the Feinstein Challenge call Second Harvest, 218.326.4420 or online at our website www.secondharvestncfb.com

Thanks for your support!

Chef''s Gala Benefitting Second Harvest A Huge Success

The first ever Chef's Gala Benefitting Second Harvest was a sold out event hosted by the Timberlake Lodge on Wednesday Feb. 10th. Over 240 people were served four gourmet courses and each chef described the dish he had prepared. Local celebrities were auctioned off to serve the table that purchased them. The event raised almost $9,000 for the hunger relief efforts of Second Harvest. Many thanks to the chefs, the Timberlake Lodge, KQ105.5, and everyone who supported the event!

Plant to Plate Soup Day

Fourth graders from Southwest Elementary School in Grand Rapids made Golden Autumn Soup at the food bank on Tuesday.  Plant to Plate coordinator Linda Russell, with support from University of Minnesota Extension NEA Gail Pollard and volunteers, took the students through the steps to make soup; cutting vegetables, measuring ingredients and adding food to the pot.  While the soup cooked, the students made “bread in a bag” and baked it in the food bank’s oven.

Most of the students enjoyed the squash soup, many came back for seconds, thirds and even fourths!  The project was an extension of the Plant to Plate garden project.  Just like the garden this year, soup making was delayed.  Most years, students make soup from the Plant to Plate garden after harvest.  That didn’t work out this year, but soup in January is very good too.

Thanks to Linda and Gail and everyone who helped the students make and taste a new soup.

Lake Country Power Operation Round Up Helps Feed the Need

Lake Country Power once again supports Second Harvest North Central Food Bank’s Itasca Holiday Program through a $3,500 grant from Operation Round Up. Many thanks to the members of Lake Country Power who help “Feed the Need.”

Sue and Rick accept the check from Operation Round Up

Second Harvest distributes over 3.6 million pounds of food in 2009 – thanks to generous community support

Thanks to many generous donors, Second Harvest North Central Food Bank was able to “Feed the Need” in 2009. The food bank distributed over 3.6 million pounds of food in 2009 – a new record!

· Donor support enables Second Harvest Food Bank to implement innovative programs like the Grand Rapids Food Shelf, Itasca Holiday Program and Kids Packs to Go Backpack Program. We are able to store and transport wholesome, nutritious food quickly, and advocate for public policies that benefit America’s hungry.

· Second Harvest Food Bank depends on the contributions of its financial donors to secure and distribute food to hungry people in north central Minnesota.

· Just one dollar enables Second Harvest North Central Food Bank to provide up to 5 meals for people in need.

· Second Harvest takes pride in our commitment to keeping administrative costs low.

· That’s why for every dollar we raise, a full 94% goes directly to the programs we support.

· Second Harvest has earned the Charities Review Council approval.

· Together, we can provide hope to hungry Americans.