To learn more, visit www.secondharvestmidtn.org @2HarvestMidTN
ENGE 2011 FEEDING HOPE CHALLENGE 2011 More than 417,000 Tennesseans are at risk of hunger in our 46-county service area people just like you and me. September is Hunger Action Month, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is asking YOU to take ACTION in the fight against hunger. Throughout the month of September, Second Harvestprovide Food Bank of Middle Our Programs hope and sustenance to Tennessee has identified one way, those in need. You can help. everyday, that YOU can fight hunger in ourthan community. Whether it ofisyear donating For more 417,000 Tennesseans, this time finds them in dire need of food many for the first time in their lives. As the Food Bank and our Partner Agencies face unprecedented time, donating food, or donating money, demand for food assistance, your neighbors need you now more than ever. everyone can have a real and lasting Join the Feeding on Hopethe Challenge andagainst help Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee impact fight hunger. provide nine million meals for hungry men, women and children this holiday season. One in six Americans relies on food banks, like Second Harvest, for food assistance. Even more startling, the latest research shows that one child out of every four is struggling with hunger. You can help. Every $1 donated provides 4 meals. Will you give hope this holiday season? GET INVOLVED Volunteer Second Harvest has many volunteer opportunities available for individuals, groups, DONATE TIME and families. Email volunteer@secondharvestmidtn.org to learn more. 2
The Holiday Season is a time of hope and giving The need for emergency food assistance has increased dramatically in the past year. This year, we must raise 9 million meals between November 1 and December 31 and we need YOUR help. HUNGER IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK. 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 4 children in Tennessee struggle with hunger daily. This time of year finds many people in dire need of food some for the first time in their lives. More than 30 percent of our clients must choose between food and other necessities like rent, utilities, medical expenses and transportation. Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee has increased food distribution by 25 percent over the past two year and we must do more. GET STARTED. You can help. Simply pledge to join the Feeding Hope Challenge by hosting a food drive, volunteering or making a donation. $1 = 4 MEALS. Yes, it really does. Second Harvest leverages economies of scale, food manufacturing, bulk buying and partnerships with grocers, food companies and others to make sure each donation has the greatest possible impact..96 cents of every dollar goes directly to programs. We offer various ways to give including online donations, Holiday Cards, Corporate/Cause Marketing, Individual Gifts, Honorary Gifts, Planned Giving and our Virtual Food Drive. Visit www.secondharvestmidtn.org to learn more. COLLECT THE ESSENTIALS. Make an impact by providing a financial donation or by bringing in these most-needed food items: canned fruit, vegetables, soup and stews, canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter, cereal and pasta DON T HAVE TIME OR RESOURCES. WE VE GOT YOU COVERED. Host a Virtual Food Drive. We will customize your Virtual Food Drive site with your logo, color scheme and wording. You will receive a unique link to your Virtual Food Drive that you can distribute. You can set one up as an individual or a company. This online fundraising program helps raise funds for Second Harvest during our campaign. For every dollar donated, we are able to provide four meals to hungry men, women and children. Contact Heidi Tieslau, heidi.tieslau@secondharvestmidtn.org. TELL SOMEBODY. TODAY. Use your online network to help raise awareness of hunger issues and your involvement by sharing your efforts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also follow/like us on each of the networking sites by searching for Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee or 2HarvestMidTN. STAY INFORMED. Sign up for our e-newsletter, Food Fight, at www.secondharvestmidtn.org where you can also catch up on all Food Bank related news by reading our daily blog. 3
Easy, meal raising ideas SET AN EMPTY PLATE AT YOUR FAMILY GATHERING. This is an easy way to share hunger issues with your family. For your next family gathering or meal, set an extra place at your table and leave the plate empty. Let this be a reminder to everyone at the table that while you are fortunate to have the food you need, there are those going hungry and those who are at risk of hunger, and now is the time to take action and help fill those empty plates in our community. HOST A DINNER PARTY. Host a Holiday Potluck or Dinner Party at your home and ask your guests to bring non-perishable food donations or financial donations for the Food Bank instead of hostess gifts. ADOPT A PARTNER AGENCY. Contact Second Harvest and ask for your local Partner Agency contact information and help them prepare for the holidays by volunteering to stock shelves, prepare emergency food boxes and assist with clients during the busiest time of the year. VOLUNTEER AS A FAMILY. Contact volunteer@secondharvestmidtn.org and sign up to pack BackPacks for hungry children on Family Night hosted at the Food Bank every Thursday night from 5:30 7:30 pm. - sodales. CHECK THE COUCH FOR LOOSE CHANGE. Contact the Food Bank for a Penny Bank or Create Your Own Penny Bank and donate your loose change to Ms. Cheap s Annual Penny Drive Campaign. For every dollar donated, the Food Bank can provide four meals to hungry men, women and children. Donations accepted at Avenue Bank locations, Kroger Stores, The Tennessean, The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro and at Second Harvest Food Bank in Metro Center. PEANUT BUTTER CHALLENGE! Help collect one of our most needed items by creating a smooth versus chunky peanut butter drive. Teams compete to see who can raise the most of their variety. TAKE A TOUR, EAT LUNCH. Stop by the Food Bank on Fridays and enjoy an all-you-can-enjoy meal at First Harvest Café prepared by Chef Mark Rubin and his wonderful volunteers. While you are there, ask for a Food Bank Tour and learn more about our programs and your impact. GO VIRTUAL! Host a Virtual Food Drive. We will customize your Virtual Food Drive site with your logo, color scheme and wording. You will receive a unique link to your Virtual Food Drive that you can distribute. You can set one up as an individual or a company. This online fundraising program helps raise funds for Second Harvest during our campaign. For every dollar donated, we are able to provide four meals to hungry men, women and children. Contact Heidi Tieslau, heidi.tieslau@secondharvestmidtn.org. 4
KICK OFF EMAIL COPY: The holiday season is a time of hope and giving. For many people throughout Middle and West Tennessee, this time of year finds them in dire need of food many for the first time in their lives. (Insert Organization Name here) is proud to announce our partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank this winter to help raise 9 million meals for hungry people in our community. As the Food Bank and their Partner Agencies face unprecedented demand for food assistance, they need your support now more than ever. You can help. Participate by donating to our Feeding Hope Challenge food drive beginning (insert date) until (insert date). Donation bins will be located in the following areas: (insert location) (insert location) Most needed items include: canned vegetables, soups, stews and fruit, canned meats (tuna and chicken), peanut butter, cereal and pasta. You can also make an online donation at www.secondharvestmidtn.org. Every $1 donated provides 4 meals to hungry men, women and children. Furthermore, 96 cents of every dollar goes directly to feeding hungry people when you make a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. CAMPAIGN REMINDER EMAIL COPY: As a reminder, our Feeding Hope Challenge Food Drive will be ending on (insert date), but there is still time for you to make a difference in the lives of hungry people in our community. Participate by donating to our Feeding Hope Challenge food drive beginning (insert date) until (insert date). Donation bins will be located in the following areas: (insert location) (insert location) Campaign tools: Most needed items include: canned vegetables, soups, stews and fruit, canned meats (tuna and chicken), peanut butter, cereal and pasta. You can also make an online donation at www.secondharvestmidtn.org. Every $1 donated provides 4 meals to hungry men, women and children. Furthermore, 96 cents of every dollar goes directly to feeding hungry people when you make a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. CAMPAIGN WRAP UP COPY: Thank you for participating in our Feeding Hope Challenge Food Drive you have helped provide (insert meal count) meals to hungry men, women and children in Middle and West Tennessee. Hunger lives in our community each and every day and I hope that you will make a resolution to stay involved in the fight against hunger this year. You can learn more about Second Harvest Food Bank and their agency partners at www.secondharvestmidtn.org. 5
Available materials: General Posters & Fliers: Food Drive Posters & Fliers: Yard Signs: Logos available in EPS or JPEG formats: 6
Frequently asked Q s: WHO BENEFITS FROM FEEDING HOPE CHALLENGE? Feeding Hope Challenge raises food and funds to support of 400+ Partner Agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters in Middle and West Tennessee. Additionally, the campaign provides general operating funds to off set food bank expenses to purchase, store and transport food resources to our partner agencies and programs. HOW HAS THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CHALLENGES AFFECTED THE FOOD BANK? As the economic crisis and high rates of unemployment continue, the need for food assistance remains urgent. In any given week, more than 21,000 people receive emergency food assistance from a food pantry, soup kitchen or shelter served by Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. As a result of the demand for our services, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee has increased food distribution by 25 percent over the past two years. WHAT ARE THE MOST NEEDED FOOD ITEMS? Most needed items include: canned fruit, canned tuna or chicken, canned vegetables, peanut butter, cereal and pasta. We cannot accept home-canned foods, outdated foods or damaged food items. HOW DOES SECOND HARVEST CALCULATE THE NUMBER OF MEALS RAISED? One dollar is equal to four meals and 1.28 pounds of food is equal to one meal. Second Harvest leverages economies of scale, food manufacturing, bulk buying and partnerships with grocers, food companies and others to make sure each donation has the greatest possible impact. WHEN ARE DONATIONS DUE? All food and monetary donations should be delivered to the Food Bank no later than December 31. WHERE DO WE TAKE OUR FOOD DONATIONS? Please deliver all food donations to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee located at 331 Great Circle Road Nashville, TN 37228 in Metro Center between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm Monday Friday. Once you arrive at the Food Bank, a staff member will help you unload and weigh your food and provide you with a poundage receipt. Don t forget to ask for a quick tour of our facility when you visit! CAN YOU PICK UP OUR FOOD DONATIONS? We consider the delivery of your food donations to the Food Bank a valuable part of your contribution. Donor drop off of any contributions that fits inside a passenger vehicle helps the Food Bank reduce fuel and transportation expenses, and it also allows our trucks to focus on picking up large scale food industry donations and distribution to our partner agencies. If you are unable to deliver your donation, please contact our Transportation team to request a pick up at 615-329-3491. Pick ups will be scheduled on an as needed basis when our trucks are available. WHERE DO WE SEND FINANCIAL DONATIONS? All monetary gifts should be converted to check or money order and mailed to: Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee 331 Great Circle Road Nashville, TN 37228 7
Pledge Form More than 417,000 Tennesseans are at risk of HUNGER. Second Harvest s programs and services provide hope and sustenance to those in need. I, pledge to join the Feeding Hope Challenge and help raise 9 million meals this holiday season. I plan to meet my pledge through the following (please circle one or more): Host a food drive and collect most needed items this Holiday Season (Peanut Butter, Canned Meat, Pasta, Cereal, Canned Fruit, Vegetables, Soups and Stews). Collect coins for the annual Ms. Cheap Penny Drive now January 31. Sign up for a volunteer shift at Second Harvest Food Bank. Give the Gift of Hope. $1 = 4 Meals. Other (please explain): Yes, sign me up for your email newsletter! My email address is: Signature Date Please return your completed pledge form to Jensen Arrowsmith at Jensen.Arrowsmith@secondharvestmidtn.org or call 615-329-341. 8
Thank you for joining the feeding hope challenge! To learn more, visit www.secondharvestmidtn.org @2HarvestMidTN 9