The $4 million Second Harvest on the Move Campaign that concludes at year’s end will leave us with an energized corps of donors, volunteers and advocates. More people than ever before understand our mission and embrace our work. The economy dealt a huge blow to struggling families in east-central Indiana and in the nation during this time, increasing the poverty population of our eight county service area from 49,000 to 62,000 during the past few years. Our region is right up there with the rest of the nation in counting one out of every eight residents as struggling with hunger.
Raising money in a depressed economy with such huge increases in need seemed overwhelming three years ago. But we learned something. We learned that when our neighbors are in trouble, we all dig a little deeper. Our wonderful donors stepped up to the plate and saw to it that we had the money needed to run the organization. New folks responded to our need. They all generously contributed their resources to get us moved, settled in and equipped.
If it sounds like the job is done, it is not. In order to get to that magic $4 million goal, we must win the Kresge Challenge. We are within $100,000 of raising the match needed for the $400,000 Kresge grant that will put us over the top and complete the Second Harvest on the Move campaign.
We are very thankful for the recent $100,000 Ball Brothers Foundation grant that helped get us to this point. We are delighted with individuals who are sending in gifts and making pledges to meet the Dec. 31 deadline. And we are moved by a community that continues to find ways to support the cause.
Many of you know Skip Ockomon as one of Anderson’s compassionate firefighters. He and his brother Mayor Kris Ockomon met recently with members of our staff to talk about how to help hungry neighbors. The result was the creation of The Amazing Share scheduled for Dec. 4 at Athletic Park in Anderson. This Winter Fest activity will pair a Second Harvest Tailgate distribution with an opportunity to give.
Second Harvest will provide food for an extra, extended Tailgate distribution from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. that Friday. Families in need of food assistance will drive through with volunteers helping to load fresh produce and groceries into their vehicles. During the same time, donors may drive through another line and drop off contributions to help get even more food out to more people.
It will be a big day with a big goal of $6,000! All funds collected will provide food for people in need and will be matched by the Kresge Challenge. This $6,000 will increase to $9,000 and help us meet the deadline. Skip and Mayor Kris are inviting community leaders to join The Amazing Share team that includes Second Harvest, Pay Less Super Markets, Operation Love, The Christian Center, Boy Scouts and even Santa Claus. Come join us on Dec. 4 at The Amazing Share.
Lois Rockhill is executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. Her column appears the third Sunday of each month. She can be reached at lrockhill@cure hunger.org.
Columns
Related Photos
Discussion
Lois Rockhill: Amazing Share may help food bank
- Columns
-
-
Amish Cook: When child is sick, motherly nurturing instinct kicks in
The sun is always welcome at this time of the year. The ground is covered with snow again, and the temperatures are colder. It finally feels like winter.
-
Susan Miller: In business dining, good taste means more than food
A successful business meal requires more than making a lunch date. A deal can sometimes be sealed over the table, but more often than not, a business lunch provides an opportunity to build rapport and learn about your dining companion’s business.
-
Primus Mootry: Black leadership in 21st century — lessons from the past
This is the fourth in a series of articles concerning various facts and opinions about black history, how that history affects black leadership today, and what I think are the implications for black leadership in the future. It’s a much weightier subject than I thought.
-
Jim Bailey: Winter of our discontent depends on our agenda
There’s nothing like a mild winter to bring out the members of our society whose agenda includes the propagation of the fear of global warming.
-
Emmett Dulaney: When Twitter backfires
Twitter, that innocuous social media tool that lets users send out 140 character snippets to their followers, is being used more and more as a marketing tool.
-
John Williams: Valentine tip from Social Security
Valentine’s Day is a popular time of year for proclamations of love. Such displays of affection can be as simple and sweet as a heart with a “be mine” message, or as life altering as a vow before the altar.
-
Scott Underwood: TV section alterations on the way
Two Sundays ago, The Herald Bulletin introduced a new product called Click, replacing the TV Week section. Like TV Week, Click includes TV listings grids, sports listings and Sudoku and crossword puzzles.
-
'Big Joe' Clark: The $100 million IRA - and how to get one
Is it possible to save $100 million? No, but it is possible to invest and end up with that sum of money. Mitt Romney is not alone; there are others with mega IRAs.
-
Analysis: Exceptional voice seemed lost in Houston's excessive fame
Whitney Houston’s numerous comeback attempts never gelled into anything the public cared about.
-
Brian Howey: Automotive factor explains why Obama opens Indiana office
On Thursday, the Obama for America campaign opened up an office in Indiana, a state with a century-old love affair with the internal combustion engine.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Amish Cook: When child is sick, motherly nurturing instinct kicks in
Top Bargainers Announce Payroll Tax Cut Deal
Student Photos 'hijacked', Used on Porn Site
Should U.S. Arm Medevacs in Afghanistan?
Foreclosures Rise Only Slightly, More Expected
Old Friends, New Mission: China VP Visits Iowa
Jeremy Lin a Slam-dunk for Knicks and Fans
Defense Begins in UVA Player Murder Trial
More Than 350 Die in Honduran Prison Fire
Defiant Iran Loads Own Fuel Rods Into Reactor
Raw Video: Syrian Army, Rebels Battle in Homs
Video Essay: Saving the Miami Blue Butterfly
NYPD Officer Shot During Subway Confrontation
Iranian Boats Shadow US Aircraft Carrier in Gulf
Hundreds Rally Against Alabama Immigration Law
Whitney Houston Funeral to Be Invitation Only
New Details in Search for Missing Utah Mom
Raw Video: Protesters, Security Clash in Bahrain
School Pays Students to Attend Class
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
