from staff
As our community continues to face a tight economy and shrinking budgets, the Daily Record has established this page that will each week chronicle the efforts of local nonprofit organizations. Bailey Publishing & Communications invites all members of the local nonprofit community to submit news, announcements, success stories and any other information they feel would be of interest to our readers. E-mail to: [email protected].
We also encourage our readers to become more aware of the needs of these worthy organizations as they try to continue to provide valuable services with reduced resources.
Food drive for Second Harvest sets new record, volunteers now needed
For the second year in a row, the First Coast community responded in a big way and shattered the record for food collected during the annual “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive.
The Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida received more than 325,000 pounds of donated food from a four-county area as part of the 17th Annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive May 9. The record total is nearly 10 percent higher than last year and still rising as additional donations continue to arrive from postal stations around Jacksonville.
In a year when the economy has forced many families to make tough choices between food and other daily necessities, “Stamp Out Hunger” will provide important resources for more than 520 nonprofit agencies in North Florida that are on the front lines in the fight against hunger. Second Harvest member agencies are reporting a 32 percent increase in demand over the past year. Nationally, one in eight people are experiencing food insecurity with half of those being children.
Those numbers give an illustration why this year’s NALC event is so important, said Second Harvest President and CEO Wayne Rieley.
“This was the most successful food drive in our community’s history, and that is a tribute to the wonderful citizens who live and work here,” said Rieley. “These donations come as our agencies face unprecedented demand from people who are hurting and in need of help. This food will be put to good use and quickly.”
This year’s NALC food drive produced an increase of more than 15,000 pounds from what was collected in 2008. That “Stamp Out Hunger” event generated 288,973 pounds, which obliterated the previous high by more than 40 percent. All of this year’s donations came from Duval, Clay, Baker and Nassau counties.
Second Harvest serves an 18-county area which provides food to community programs such as church pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and senior citizen centers in 18 counties. The Food Bank also provides much-needed food during the typically lean summer months when children may be unable to receive the free or reduced-fee lunches that are available during the school year.
The challenge now, Rieley said, is for the Second Harvest staff to effectively sort food that has been collected in order to prepare it for distribution. He said the Food Bank would welcome any and all volunteers.
“We need all the help we can get right now,” said Rieley. “Our warehouse is full, which is a wonderful problem to have. Our goal is to sort and move this food as quickly as we possibly can.”
Interested volunteers should contact Rev. Larry Riley, volunteer coordinator at the Second Harvest Food Bank, at 353-3663 (ext. 223) or e-mail [email protected].
Lowe’s sets record for Muscular Dystrophy Association
Defying typical nonprofit fundraising across the United States this year, Lowe’s is at the top of a long list of retail and restaurant partners to report a record-breaking $18 million in “Shamrocks Against Dystrophy” sales.
At the conclusion of the 26th annual Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Shamrocks Against Dystrophy campaign, Lowe’s reported $4.3 million in sales, nearly doubling the previous record of $2.3 million raised by one retail grocery two years ago. The $1 and $5 Shamrocks donations have now raised more than $200 million for Jerry’s Kids.
Customers of the more than 1,600 participating Lowe’s locations showed their commitment to the Shamrocks Against Dystrophy campaign through donations starting at $1. Several partners, including Lowe’s, extended the program beyond the original March 17 deadline due to its overwhelming success and the greater need in tough times that has left nonprofits struggling to raise funds. Although a nationwide effort, all money raised stays in local communities and provides hope to families living with muscular dystrophy and related diseases.
“We want to thank our loyal customers for their tremendous support and are extremely proud of our Lowe’s team that got behind this effort 100-percent,” said Cal Lewis, store manager of the Lowe’s of Jacksonville.
“We’re grateful to our partners for reaching out to their customers, for even a small donation,” said MDA President and CEO Gerald C. Weinberg. “The overwhelming generosity of the local Jacksonville community demonstrates that there is so much good in the world. We can’t thank everyone enough.”
Through “Shamrocks Against Dystrophy,” $1 and $5 donations help fund research for treatments and cures, support group sessions, clinic fees, MDA summer camp, mobility and communication devices, and other programs. For more information about MDA, visit www.mda.org.
Free baby shower Friday
Healthy Families Jacksonville is holding a free, community-wide Baby Shower for all new and expecting mothers in North Jacksonville at the Gateway Mall on Norwood Avenue Friday from 10 a.m-1 p.m. All events and activities are free of charge, and will include drawings for prizes, games, food, and take-home information on how to have a healthy, happy baby and toddler.
Healthy Families Jacksonville is a leader in Jacksonville’s battle against infant mortality.
The Healthy Families program is a free, voluntary initiative designed to support families that are at risk for infant mortality, or child abuse and neglect due to factors that include teen pregnancy, lack of education, and low income levels; however, any family with a newborn and living in one
of Duval County’s targeted zip codes may participate. Community Connections delivers the program in thirteen Jacksonville zip codes. Past baby showers, held annually by Healthy Families, have been tremendous successes, serving hundreds of low-income mothers.
Community Connections of Jacksonville provides housing for the homeless, child care, parenting classes, after school and summer camp programs, mentoring and GED prep classes among other services for women, children and families. Founded in 1911, it is one of the oldest social service agencies in Jacksonville. For additional information, visit www.communityconnectionsjax.org.