A New Look for Second Harvest North Central Food Bank

Having a strong web presence has become increasingly important in our mission to end hunger. Our parent company, Feeding America, designed an offering that allowed us to deploy an outstanding website, and regularly update it, without assistance from vendors, volunteers or IT staff, for less than $1,500.
With 4 days of training, we completely redesigned our website. We now have the ability to regularly update a professional-looking and feature-rich website with a few click of the mouse and no cost to us.
Along with a clean new look, our website now offers; an agency locator feature utilizing Google Maps which displays the agency location on a map, provides directions and additional information (hours, websites, etc) of our member agencies, the ability to sign up for our newsletters and volunteer opportunities, and an event calendar. Be sure to check it out if you haven’t done so already! http://www.secondharvestncfb.com/

A look at the 2010 Itasca Holiday Program

Itasca Holiday Program 2010 ~ Together we made a difference!
Because of the generous support from the community, Second Harvest North Central Food Bank was able to distribute 1,700 food boxes and gifts to over 1,800 children in Itasca County and Hill City. The food boxes and gifts were distributed throughout the county in Grand Rapids, Hill City, Deer River, Bigfork, Squaw Lake, Keewatin, Taconite, and Inger. The Itasca Holiday Program continues to be a success every year because of the caring community. Thank you to the many individuals who volunteered your time, and/or donated gifts, food, and money. In December, 250+ volunteers logged in over 1500 hours at Second Harvest in order to make it happen.

A special thank you to the following for their support of the Itasca Holiday Program: Lake Country Power – Operation Round Up * Minnesota Power Foundation * L & M Supply * Wal-Mart * Walgreens * Central Square Mall * Reed Drug * Wells Fargo Bank * City of Grand Rapids Employees * Itasca County Court House * Itasca Resource Center * Grand Rapids High School * Connor Jasper Middle School * Grand Itasca Hospital * Berquist Companies – People in Business Care * Area Congregations * PEO Chapter ED * Yarnworks * Grand Rapids Evening Rotary Club * Itasca Vintage Car Club * ICC Nursing, Engineering, and Resource Management Students * Minnesota Conservation Corps * Nashwauk Alliance Church Youth Group * Grand Acts of Giving * Grand Rapids High School International Club * Bovey Lutheran Youth Group * Circle K



Large last minute donation for the Itasca Holiday Program

Second Harvest would like to extend a BIG thank you to Lake Country Power and the Operation Round Up program for donating $5,000 to the Itasca Holiday Program. It is because of donations such as this, the Itasca Holiday Program remains a success.

CJMS Students and Faculty Raise Money for Second Harvest

During this holiday season Connor Jasper Middle School has been engaged in their annual school-wide Adopt-A-Family fundraiser. Students and faculty members have been raising money at Connor Jasper Middle School during the two week span of December 6th through December 17th. This service-based activity has helped define the character of this school and promote a sense of connectedness among students, staff, and the community. The Adopt-A-Family fundraiser is a great cause that the fourth through eighth graders raised money for. Adopt-A-Family is aimed towards helping families in our local communities have a warm and cheerful holiday. Jen, an eighth grader at Connor Jasper Middle School, said the reason she found Adopt-A-Family so important was after remembering all her holiday memories. “Everyone deserves that special time together during Christmas and Adopt-A-Family was a way for me to give them their own memories,” said Jen. Connor Jasper Middle School, with the help of many, raised $1566.59 for their fellow community members, and made Adopt-A-Family fundraiser a great success.

Minnesota Power Foundation Provides $2,550 Grant

The Minnesota Power Foundation recently awarded Second Harvest North Central Food Bank a $2,550 grant for the Itasca Holiday Program. This contribution was used to purchase food for the holiday food box. This year, 1,700 boxes were stuffed with food items for those in need in the Itasca County and Hill City area. Thank you, Minnesota Power Foundation for ensuring our neighbors wouldn't go hungry over the holidays.



A client receives her food voucher, fruit and food box
as she exits Second Harvest North Central Food Bank