from staff
As our community continues to face a challenging economy, the Daily Record provides this page that each week chronicles 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 believe would be of interest to our readers. E-mail to: [email protected].
We encourage our readers to become more aware of the needs of these worthy organizations as they continue to provide valuable services with reduced resources.
Bank donates trucks to Second Harvest
At a time when more families face the threat of going hungry, Second Harvest has received from JP Morgan Chase two new refrigerated food delivery trucks. The vehicles will allow Second Harvest to supply the First Coast’s hungry residents with fruits, vegetables and other fresh foods. Chase also donated funds to operate the trucks for the first year.
The vehicles were unveiled July 26 at the Police Athletic League Franklin Street Center by Chase representative Greg Beliles.
The trucks will be used to collect and distribute food to people experiencing hunger or food insecurity throughout the 18-county area served by Second Harvest. In 2010, Second Harvest is projected to distribute more than 15 million pounds of food, which is the equivalent of more than 11.5 million meals.
“Getting those meals to families in need has now become easier and more efficient because of the Chase truck donations,” said Thomas Mantz, Second Harvest executive director.
“Having two extra vehicles in our fleet will boost our efforts significantly and help us reach more of our hungry neighbors,” said Mantz. “We are deeply grateful to Chase for this generous donation and for their commitment to helping people in need. This is an important gift at an important time in our agency’s existence as we continue working toward new and innovative ways to get food resources into the areas where they are needed most.”
In the geographic area served by Second Harvest North Florida, more than 100,000 people are experiencing very low food security or hunger. An estimated 31,400 people receive emergency food assistance each week from a food pantry, soup kitchen or other agency served by Second Harvest North Florida.
More than 170,000 people used Second Harvest for assistance in 2009. Since 2007, Second Harvest has seen more than a 53 percent increase in food distributed, a direct reflection of the increased demand as a result of the ongoing economic downturn.
Realtors collecting backpacks for students
Prudential Network Realty is collecting backpacks and school supplies for local children in foster care through Friday in its 11th annual Backpack Challenge. In 2009, the company collected 181 backpacks and supplies for children in grades K-12.
“A backpack filled with all the school supplies the children need is a wonderful gift and a great way to kick off a successful school year,” said Linda Sherrer, Prudential Network Realty founder, president and CEO. “We expect to collect more than 300 backpacks during the Backpack Challenge. It’s so rewarding.”
Backpacks and school supplies may be dropped off at the following Prudential Network Realty offices: the Arlington/Southside corporate office, Avondale/Ortega, Beaches, Fleming Island/Orange Park, Mandarin/St. Johns, Ponte Vedra, San Marco/San Jose and St. Augustine.
Backpacks should be labeled by grade and gender. Suggested items to fill a backpack include lined paper; No. 2 pencils; blue, black and red pens; highlighters; crayons; erasers; pencil sharpeners; glue sticks; rulers; blunt scissors; folders; three-ring binders; five-subject spiral notebooks; colored pencils; construction paper; and a pencil bag or pencil box.
Additional information about the Backpack Challenge is available by calling Margaret Ceaser at 296-6400, ext. 309.
California Pizza donates to daniel
The new California Pizza Kitchen at the St. John’s Town Center has donated $6,796.29 to daniel. The money was collected July 20, when all dine-in pizza sales were donated directly back to daniel.
“We are so appreciative of California Pizza Kitchen’s generosity,” said daniel CEO and President Jim Clark. “All people had to do to support daniel was enjoy a great pizza.”
Half of the money will go to daniel’s programs that provide counseling to abused and neglected children, help find foster homes for neglected children, offer secure housing and independent living instruction to homeless teens and more. The other half will go into the capital campaign fund to build a new onsite education center.