Below is a request from Second Helpings, a local organization that helps feed the hungry, save the waste, and share the resources. We hope you'll share your resources (volunteer, support, donate!) to help with a critical issue facing Second Helpings this season.
******
I'm Joe Hoog, Director of Food Rescue and Transportation for Second Helpings. Together with three staff drivers (Greg, Leonard and Richard) and 25 volunteers we rescue over 1.7 million pounds of food this year. The donated food is then prepared into nutritious meals. We deliver these meals to 50 other social service agencies in Indianapolis -- hot and ready to eat. Every day, our volunteers deliver 2,900 meals to hungry children and adults within our community!
In addition to our meals, we provide food to many of the food banks, food pantries, churches and agencies within the community (19 at latest count) who also feed hungry people. We need our two large box trucks and six vans to make this happen. Unfortunately, our most important trucks are dying of old age and overuse. In the last month we have struggled to keep them on the road (lots of costly trips to the repair shop). The simple translation is: no trucks, no food. Transportation is essential to what we do!
Our friends often ask how they can help during the holidays, so I am writing to let you know that a wonderful gift you could give this year would be a donation to help purchase a new truck or help underwrite the costs of maintaining or fueling one of our vehicles.
Please help us continue to serve the folks who need it most and allow us to keep feeding the hungry and less fortunate in our community. Thank you and best wishes for a joyous holiday season,
Joe
11 December 2008
10 December 2008
Food Democrary Now
In these final days before President Elect Obama makes his selection for Secretary of Agriculture, we urge you to help us spread the word about a petition we can sign to express our support for dynamic and sustainable choices for the post.
Erika Lesser, Slow Food USA Director, and I are on the list of original signers as are several SFUSA board members and leaders around the country. You can find the petition here: http://www.fooddemocracynow.org/. Even if the new administration doesn’t pick one of the listed candidates, signing the petition sends a strong message that we want a good, clean, and fair food system and that we expect our new administration to make choices that support that vision.
We don’t have much time left to get as many signatures as possible, so we hope you’ll take initiative by:
1. forwarding this note to your friends and colleagues, or
2. mentioning it in person at any events in which you're participating in the next 4 days or so.
Check out the SFUSA blog for more info: http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/slow_food/blog_post/take_action_obama_is_waiting_to_hear_from_you/),
Thank you for helping slow values get represented in the White House in the coming administration.
Regards,
Josh Viertel, President
Slow Food USA
20 Jay Street, Suite M04
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Erika Lesser, Slow Food USA Director, and I are on the list of original signers as are several SFUSA board members and leaders around the country. You can find the petition here: http://www.fooddemocracynow.org/. Even if the new administration doesn’t pick one of the listed candidates, signing the petition sends a strong message that we want a good, clean, and fair food system and that we expect our new administration to make choices that support that vision.
We don’t have much time left to get as many signatures as possible, so we hope you’ll take initiative by:
1. forwarding this note to your friends and colleagues, or
2. mentioning it in person at any events in which you're participating in the next 4 days or so.
Check out the SFUSA blog for more info: http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/slow_food/blog_post/take_action_obama_is_waiting_to_hear_from_you/),
Thank you for helping slow values get represented in the White House in the coming administration.
Regards,
Josh Viertel, President
Slow Food USA
20 Jay Street, Suite M04
Brooklyn, NY 11201
01 December 2008
Edible Schoolyards
Alice Waters will be here tomorrow, December 2nd to discuss edible schoolyards. These are gardens that are planted at schools. These gardens become part of the curriculum for many of the classes. Math classes design the layout and plan what will be planted using geometry and algebra. English classes spend time in the garden reflecting and writing essays. Science classes cook product and talk about the science of cooking. Edible schoolyards are a great tool to get students engaged. And, curriculum can be developed for any age group.
California has led the charge in developing these edible schoolyards. Through Alice Waters efforts the state will soon have a garden in every elementary school. Even here in Indiana several schools have started them.
For more information check out the edible schoolyard website.
Grants for School Garden Projects
Do you have a Slow Food In Schools Project? Do you want to start a Slow Food In Schools Project? We've come across a few funding opportunities for our chapters and project leaders. Fiskars' Project Orange Thumb to Support Garden Programs http://projectorangethumb.com/pot/Deadline: February 17, 2009 Launched in 2003, Fiskars' Project Orange Thumb has awarded grants totaling more than $300,000 to over a hundred community groups, schools, churches, and other organizations for their garden programs. This year, the program will award grants to twenty organizations in the United States and Canada. Each grantee will receive up to $1,500 in Fiskars garden tools and up to $800 in gardening-related materials (i.e. green goods). Gardens and/or gardening projects geared toward community involvement, neighborhood beautification, sustainable agriculture, and/or horticultural education are eligible. Community garden groups as well as schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, and treatment facilities are all encouraged to apply. General Mills Champion for Health Kidshttp://generalmills.com/corporate/commitment/champions.aspxDeadline: January 15, 2009 The General Mills Foundation, in partnership with the American Dietetic Association Foundation and the President's Council on Physical Fitness, developed the Champions for Healthy Kids grant program in 2002. Each year since inception, the General Mills Foundation awards 50 grants of $10,000 each to community-based groups that develop creative ways to help youth adopt a balanced diet and physically active lifestyle.
California has led the charge in developing these edible schoolyards. Through Alice Waters efforts the state will soon have a garden in every elementary school. Even here in Indiana several schools have started them.
For more information check out the edible schoolyard website.
Grants for School Garden Projects
Do you have a Slow Food In Schools Project? Do you want to start a Slow Food In Schools Project? We've come across a few funding opportunities for our chapters and project leaders. Fiskars' Project Orange Thumb to Support Garden Programs http://projectorangethumb.com/pot/Deadline: February 17, 2009 Launched in 2003, Fiskars' Project Orange Thumb has awarded grants totaling more than $300,000 to over a hundred community groups, schools, churches, and other organizations for their garden programs. This year, the program will award grants to twenty organizations in the United States and Canada. Each grantee will receive up to $1,500 in Fiskars garden tools and up to $800 in gardening-related materials (i.e. green goods). Gardens and/or gardening projects geared toward community involvement, neighborhood beautification, sustainable agriculture, and/or horticultural education are eligible. Community garden groups as well as schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, and treatment facilities are all encouraged to apply. General Mills Champion for Health Kidshttp://generalmills.com/corporate/commitment/champions.aspxDeadline: January 15, 2009 The General Mills Foundation, in partnership with the American Dietetic Association Foundation and the President's Council on Physical Fitness, developed the Champions for Healthy Kids grant program in 2002. Each year since inception, the General Mills Foundation awards 50 grants of $10,000 each to community-based groups that develop creative ways to help youth adopt a balanced diet and physically active lifestyle.
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