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Pono was packed on Saturday for their celebration. Pono and The Reef Bar raised 4,300 meals from Grind Out Hunger.

Last Saturday was the celebration of Pono Hawaiian Grill being awarded “Best New Restaurant in Santa Cruz” in the Good Times 2012 “Best of” awards. Saturday also marked the official opening of The Reef Bar. Both Pono Hawaiian Grill and The Reef Bar share the same facility and work together to provide a relaxing Santa Cruz/Hawaiian style environment for the community. Pono Hawaiian Grill and The Reef Bar celebrated this day with a full buffet, music, dancing and more.

Braddah Timmy Hunt, owner of Pono Hawaiian Grill, has been a supporter of Grind Out Hunger since the beginning. When Timmy opened Pono Hawaiian Grill he immediately contacted us and said that he wanted to find a way to support the cause with his business. As Pono got the kickstart it needed during its opening, we kept in contact strategizing ways for us to establish a partnership/sponsorship opportunity. Pono is now a major sponsor, providing Grind Out Hunger with food for any and all events. For this celebration Braddah Timmy approached us and said that he wanted to donate 10% from the entire day to the cause. Ernie, owner of The Reef Bar, quickly jumped in on it too and said he would donate a portion of his profits from the day as well! By the end of the event we had raised 4,300 Meals for Grind Out Hunger.

“We support Grind Out Hunger because we firmly believe in the differnce it makes in our community, right here in Santa Cruz. Pono literally means “to do good” an it is our pleasure to give to those in need in any way we can. Hunger Fighters For Life! Mahalo nui loa”
~ Braddah Timmy 

Braddah Timmy Hunt expressing his thanks to the community for all of their support

Timmy Hunt, Michael Bethke and Santa Cruz City Mayor Don Lane.

Special guest, Santa Cruz City Mayor, Don Lane showed up to the event to present Timmy Hunt with a Mayors Proclamation stating that May 12th is officially “Pono Hawaiian Grill Day” in Santa Cruz. Pono Hawaiian Grill, along with The Reef Bar, has helped to created a fun, inviting, and safe place within Santa Cruz. A place with food, drink, music, and more. For Grind Out Hunger to have the support from a business so focused on bettering the community is an honor. Future events at Pono Hawaiian Grill are already in the works. There is also talk about creating Special Edition Pono Hawaiian Grill Grind Out Hunger wristbands…we will fill you in on that as we find out more.

Until then, thank you to all that came out to support Pono Hawaiian Grill, The Reef Bar, and Grind Out Hunger. If you weren’t able to make it, be sure to stop by 120 Union Street and grab some food! The poke bowls are amazing, oh and try an order of the coconut prawns.
Ask for Braddah Timmy and tell him you are a Grind Out Hunger supporter!

Check out Pono Hawaiian Grill on Facebook
Check out The Reef on Facebook

Mayor Don Lane handing Braddah Timmy Hunt the Mayors Proclamation stating that May 12th is Pono Hawaiian Grill Day in Santa Cruz

Braddah Timmy holding the official Mayors Proclamation.

Michelle Hatjes and Dylan Morrish running the Grind Out Hunger setup at Pono Hawaiian Grill.

Grind Out Hunger Founder, Danny Keith and Braddah Timmy Hunt

Carter Keith repping his brother, Zane Keith's Hunger Fighter Wristband at Pono Hawaiian Grill Celebration.

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17 year old, Tess Dunn was recently the featured/cover story in local Santa Cruz publication, the Good Times, titled  Finding Grace.  It was this article that first caught our attention. Our good friends in local band Blue Weekend knew Tess quite well, in fact, they play as her band quite frequently. We reached out to them and asked if there was a way we could get Tess Dunn to play at our recent Grind Out Hunger Youth Service Day Event, which ended up raising 5,830 meals for kids. After many back and forth emails, texts, and messages, we got in contact with Tess and she immediately agreed to come out to perform. It was during that event that we knew that we wanted to ask her if she wanted to be an official Hunger Fighter Musician.

Tess Dunn has been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), an incurable life-threatening disease which causes progressive lung damage, as well as epilepsy and diabetes. She has been very active in helping spread the word about CF and how people can help find a cure. She has the motivation and passion for helping others, so when asked if she wanted to jump on board in the fight against childhood hunger she immediately said yes.

You can visit her Hunger Fighter campaign page at: www.grindouthunger.org/tessdunn 

We sat down with Tess and asked her a few questions:

GOH: Tess, In your own words explain Grind Out Hunger.

Grind Out Hunger is an incredible movement that inspires the youth to get involved with the community. It’s beyond just educating youth about childhood hunger, but it also helps them realize their potential to address the problem and find solutions.

GOH: Grind Out Hunger is focused on Kids helping kids. You are now part of that army, how does that make you feel? 

I am really honored to be working with Grind Out Hunger and being a hunger fighter. I think that its ridiculous that there are 1 in 4 kids going hungry in Santa Cruz alone. Music is a universal language and I am stoked to use my music to spread the word about this problem that really needs to be addressed and fixed full on.

GOH: You have overcome many obstacles and are constantly pushing through them every day. What
advice can you give to the youth of Santa Cruz and beyond to keep their heads high, no matter what struggles they are going through? 

When I perform in front of kids I recently started asking them “who can define a normal life”? The fact of the matter is that no one can describe what a normal life is because everyone is different and everyone faces different obstacles, but everyone has the strength to overcome them no matter how difficult it might seem. no matter what, you are going to come out alive and stronger than before. You can’t let other people tell you that, because of all the difficulties or obstacles in your life, you can’t do something. You can, and you have the power to change what you wish to see in the world.

Final thoughts? 

There are many charities in Santa Cruz that are focused on helping others, but not many use the power of youth to spread the word. Learning that kids are going hungry in Santa Cruz alone is not okay with me. I am going to do everything I can to spread the word through my music and put an end to childhood hunger in Santa Cruz and beyond. Like I said earlier, music is a universal language, and I’m determined to make others aware of childhood hunger through mine.

Here is some info about Tess’ music history. This content is from her website at www.tessdunn.com

Tess Dunn is a 17-year old singer-songwriter phenom who hails from Santa Cruz, California. Tess’ raspy vocals, mature piano compositions and alternative sound transcend her years. She started playing the piano at age 5, began writing songs at age 11 and first took to the stage at age 12. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), an incurable life-threatening disease which causes progressive lung damage, as well as epilepsy and diabetes, Tess faces issues of mortality that infuse her music and lyrics with radiant richness and haunting depth.

Tess’ first CD, “Darling Just Walk,” released in 2009, was recorded in North Hollywood with a host of internationally recorded musicians, including Ari Shine, Carina Round, Adrienne Pierce and Adam Topol. Dubbed in the media as “the young and the fearless,” one music reviewer wrote that her lyrics “…delve into deeper and darker spaces than the pop stars of her time.” Tess says living with CF is “…almost like having a clock ticking over your head, but it has a way of putting things in perspective.” She “finds a certain beauty in the randomness of life,” and her music explores issues of love, trust and relationships. An affecting advocate for anyone battling the challenges of chronic disease, Tess encourages others due to to her take no prisoners zest for life.

Tess has performed throughout California, including at the Vans Warped Tour at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View in 2011 and 2010, and at the San Francisco Warped Tour in 2009. She has had successful solo shows in Santa Cruz County, and has opened for artists including Karla Bonoff, Nina Storey, Ari Shine, Adrienne Pierce, and Iris DeMent. She contributed a song for an anthology album in Canada, performed for the Santa Cruz TEDx, and participated in a national film and music production, “The Breathe Song Event,” to raise CF awareness. She was recently filmed for the Vans Off The Wall TV “Pass The Bucket” series, which will be released in March 2012.

Tess’ second album, “Honesty Box,” recorded with Ari Shine and Noah Shain at White Buffalo Studios in Los Angeles, was released in February 2012. The first single from the EP, “Shame To See,” was recorded at the legendary EastWest Recording Studios in Hollywood, and the accompanying music video won a S.F. Bay Area contest for Best Local Music Video. 99.7 FM recently named Tess one of the top local artists of 2011 in the SF Bay Area.

To learn even more about Tess Dunn and her music check out the recently released Vans “Pass The Bucket” video:

You can donate to Tess Dunn’s Grind Out Hunger campaign by clicking the button below:

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Jeff Frady playing at Margaritavile for a Grind Out Hunger benefit.

Jeff Frady first got seriously involved with Grind Out Hunger last September when 90′s punk rock band, Fury 66 wanted to do a one time reunion show at The Catalyst and make it a benefit for the cause. Jeff played guitar in Fury 66 for a while back when they were still together as a band. Through the process of putting together the reunion show and after it raised 16,000 meals for the cause, our relationship with Jeff had grown significantly. He was informed about the hunger situation within Santa Cruz County and knew that he wanted to help be part of the movement to make a change.

We sat down with Jeff Frady and did an interview asking him questions about his stance on Grind Out Hunger, issues of food insecurity among children, and his history in the music industry. Get to know Jeff Frady a little better and check out the interview below.
Be sure to take a look at his Hunger Fighter page at: www.grindouthunger.org/jefffrady and donate to his campaign. He currently has a goal set of $1000. Thats 4000 meals. Let’s help him blow that goal out of the water!

Click on the button below to make a donation:

Jeff Frady during Fury 66 reunion show, a benefit for Grind Out Hunger

GOH: What is Grind Out Hunger to you and why are you so motivated to be involved?

FRADY: I appreciate the passion on your guy’s side and what you are really trying to do, which is feed kids. I don’t want to overcomplicate something. I could care less about a person’s political stance, music tastes, hobbies, or whatever…there is one issue that should stand alone here, above and beyond anything else, and that is feeding hungry, powerless children.
Kids have no ability to feed themselves. They don’t know how to do it and they shouldn’t have to. There is an old saying “demographics is destiny” and that could not be more true in this situation. These kids are born into a certain lifestyle, culture, income bracket, and all of a sudden they can’t eat….If you’ve ever been hungry in your life, imagine going days on end, weeks, not knowing where a meal is going to come from. The simple things we take for granted, waking up in the morning , thinking to yourself, “I’m going to pour myself a bowl of cereal, I’m going to make my smoothie, I’m going to have a piece of fruit, I’m going to have a bagel”…these things become complicated for a 5 year old…10 year old…12 year old. They have no way of getting up in the morning and saying “I need to get up, get a job, get paid so I can eat”. They are powerless.
Without our help, without Grind out Hunger’s help, there’s no way for them to eat. I want to make it very simple to everybody, $5 = 15 pounds.
Whatever you can do to donate, just do it, whether you like me, my views, or my music…Just feed kids.

GOH:   Grind Out Hunger’s main focus is the opportunity for Kids to Help Kids. Empowering the youth. How to you feel about that part of our mission and the empowerment of todays youth?

FRADY: I think its amazing. Outside of giving these kids something to do and a purpose, more importantly you’re showing them the value of helping others and contributing back to their community to help the less fortunate. And if they use that as a foundation and it shapes them and others around them to do that, maybe this hunger problem doesn’t exist anymore. Maybe everybody that has the ability and the opportunity to expose this hunger issue comes together, does so, and it goes away. And all great programs and great missions have to start somewhere. Maybe we are able to squash this thing at a community level and even globally one day.

GOH:   You’re athletic, healthy and work in the field of nutrition. Speak about your job, what you do and the importance of nutrition and exercise. How does it tie into healthy eating and feeding people?

I was very healthy in the 90’s. Vegan for part of it, concentrated on a healthy lifestyle. Then ended up having a family and kids and really was focusing on them and not myself. I let myself go, got unhealthy, gained weight and became unhappy with myself. It got to the point where I felt like I needed to do something about it. I decided I needed to change.

Jeff Frady, shredding.

I got very involved in fitness, so much so that I began to study through the “International Sports Sciences Association” to get certified training to become a nutrition consultant and sports conditioning trainer. Through my own training, and research I ended up going to work for a sports nutrition distribution company and really expanded my knowledge into diet, exercise and nutrition.
It’s very important to educate these kids NOW on healthy eating. The emergency aspect is feeding the kids. So how do we use that and make it healthy? I think it can be done all at once.  Are we going to push unhealthy food or healthy food in their direction?
You see so many poverty stricken communities with a lack of education on nutrition and it’s interesting because you look at these communities and think, “these people aren’t hungry, they are overweight”…We don’t equate that with starving, but I, personally, equate that with the more important issues at hand. These people end up with really bad habits and they think that fast food is the way they are supposed to eat and it becomes culture, it becomes their way of life. What happens there…health problems. Do these people at this level have health insurance? No. So what happens? Our system ends up paying the price and we end up screwing ourselves.
Grind Out Hunger’s first and foremost mission is to feed kids, but we need to provide healthy food and nutrition counseling to help people not only eat, but teach them to eat well and to survive on a budget eating healthy food.

GOH: Give me a rough outline of your music history. Where you started and where you are now.

I started messing around with an acoustic guitar when I was 9 years old…I eventually begged my way into a guitar and amp from my dad and told him that if I got an electric guitar I would get more into it, because that’s what I wanted to play. 

Jeff Frady getting a Fury 66 tattoo from good friend, Jessica McDermott at Staircase Tattoo

Jeff Frady and Micky Dunnegan during sound check for Fury 66 reunion show.

Once I got an electric guitar and amp, the rest is history. I never put it down. I was determined. I could not be stopped. This was what I was passionate about. I took a few guitar lessons but essentially was self taught.
The second I graduated from high school all I was doing was music. I landed in SC and worked at Guitar Showcase when it was on 41^st ave. That’s where I met most everybody that I know now in the SC music scene. That’s where I met Fury 66, the guys from Good Riddance, Mock, Blast, and just kind of evolved from there.
I was in a band called L.I.F.E for a while, that I put together. It stood for “Living in Fear Eternally”. We had a practice spot on the West Side behind Haut Surf Shop, where Fury 66 practiced in the room across us. Joe Clements, singer for Fury, and I were friends, shared a lot of the same theories about life and music. Micky Dunnegan, Fury bass player, and I became friends. I hung out with them a lot… eventually the opportunity came up for me to be in the band and I didn’t hesitate. That started my career with Fury 66.
Outside of having kids, that was the best time of my life. We definitely had our ups and downs, like all bands do. Looking back on it all, especially after our reunion show, I am thrilled to have been a part of all of that. All things come to and end, I guess…it was the best band I was ever in, the most memorable and the most fun, collectively. Really shaped my existence in Santa Cruz and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I am currently in a 80′s punk rock cover band, I Don’t Wanna Hear It. The band is comprised of a lot of really good friends of mine, including: Jimbo Phillips (drums), Guerin Myall (vocals), Ed Gregor (guitar), and Nick Davern (bass). We are all doing this because we love music and can’t get enough of it. We mostly play shows locally, so if anyone can come and check us out, go for it. I will be there, repping Grind Out Hunger full force.

GOH: Closing thoughts?

It sickens me to think of Santa Cruz County & that there are kids going hungry. I walk these streets everyday looking at million dollor homes and people with more than they even know what to do with. To think that 1 out of every 4 kids are not getting enough to eat? This world is out of balance! You’re damn right I’m a hunger fighter!!

~ Jeff Frady, Hunger Fighter 

**Click here to donate to Jeff Frady’s Grind Out Hunger Campaign Today**

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 **Winner will be announced and notified on 5/29/12, 2 Days Prior to The Catalyst show**

**Meet and greet is at Santa Cruz Show**

***CLICK HERE TO DONATE AND WIN***

Jason “Clown” Brown, owner and artist of ST Tattoo Studio, had an idea. Traveling back and forth to Santa Cruz every couple of months to tattoo, he had began to understand Grind Out Hunger and the crew that dedicated their lives to feeding kids. He told us about a show at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz and wanted to, not only get Grind Out Hunger at the event, but also somehow incorporate a package to give away for donations to the cause.

Jason quickly put together a prize bundle, listed below:

Here are the details:

$5 donation per entry. 
No limit on number of entries.

DONATE HERE

**100% of donations benefit Grind Out Hunger** 

**Winner will be chosen at random** 
**More times you donate, the higher chance you have to win**

**Must be 18+ with valid Government issued I.D. to redeem Tattoo Prize**

**Winner will be announced and notified on 5/29/12, 2 Days Prior to The Catalyst show**
**Meet and greet is at Santa Cruz Show**

***CLICK HERE TO DONATE***
__________________________________

“I come up to Santa Cruz often to spend time with my friends to escape from my busy shop life. I bring up my equipment to tattoo friends and family because Santa Cruz is my second home. Zane Keith is my surrogate nephew and while I was tattooing him, I had an intense conversation with his Dad, Danny Keith about what he is doing with Grind Out Hunger. In talking with him he was saying that 1 in every 4 kids goes hungry in Santa Cruz County and it made reflect on Venice and the environment I grew up with since Venice and SC are so parallel. It was a conversation that resonated with me to the core of my soul. I have two daughters and NO KID should go hungry in Santa Cruz or anywhere for that matter. So, I told Danny I wanted to help any way that I could, so I offered him up my talents in hopes that we could raise some money for Grind Out Hunger. This raffle was the perfect platform because it combines everything I love; Skating, Surfing and kids. I can only hope that this raffle helps get people aware of the hunger problem in Santa Cruz and eventually Grind Out Hunger can take it to the next level in places like Venice someday. “

~Jason “Clown” Brown

Grind Out Hunger will be at the Suicidal Tendencies show at the Catalyst on May 31st. We will have hoodies, tees, wristbands and more…All to benefit the cause. Hope to see you all there.
If you dont have a ticket to the show you can grab one here:

http://catalyst.inhousetickets.com/events/199950/SUICIDAL%20TENDENCIES 

ST Tattoo in Venice California

Want to learn more about Jason “Clown” Brown? Here is his bio…

Jason “Clown’ Brown was born and raised in the ‘Ghetto by the Sea’ fondly known as DOG TOWN or on the map, Santa Monica California. From birth, Jason hit the ground skating with his infectious laugh, front man singing voice, 2ND generation DOG TOWN boy, but more importantly his talent to turn the living flesh into art and has never looked back. Graduating from the Brentwood Art Center and singing for the band EVOL, Jason took a break from the music industry and landed an apprenticeship with Rick Clayton and Baby Ray at LA TATTOO. It was there that he was able to hone in on his skill and take it to a whole other level.
After feeling confident enough to establish his name in the business, he left LA to tour with Suicidal Tendencies and long time friend Mike Muir. While traveling through Europe, he tattooed out of the tour bus, and upon return, it was then that Jason and Mike came up with the concept of ST TATTOO STUDIO; a place where tattooing, punk rock and the skate/surf lifestyle could have a home. Jason has mastered all aspects of the tattoo industry and still loves being challenged daily. He does it all, but his heart lies with his roots of the Southern California Black and Grey; a gritty yet beautiful style that allows for a sense of realism that only a black and grey shade can capture. Being a DOGTOWN native, it allowed him to create an art form fueled by the Chicano lifestyle fused with the Punk Rock that was in his blood.
In 15 years since the doors opened, ST TATTOO STUDIO has become world famous, with celebrities and clients flying in from all over the world to get tattooed and embrace the Suicidal phenomenon in a sterile, but intimate environment. Now, with an established shop under his belt, Jason’s career has come full circle and has found himself back on the traveling circuit with guest spots and tattoo conventions.
Jason now is in a place in his life where he is privileged to give back to communities and be of service. Right now, he is currently involved with the non profit organization Grind out Hunger in Santa Cruz California (his second home) Empowering the youth by utilizing the passion of skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding and music to recognize the importance of community and food literacy.
When at home home in his spare time, Jason spends time with his two beautiful daughters and fronts the band ‘The Sickness’ with friends and other tattoo artist.

“My art is a reflection of where I am from”- Jason ‘Clown’ Brown.

For more information about Jason Brown and ST TATTOO STUDIO log onto STTATTOO.COM

Special thanks to Regina Rodriguez for her determination and support to make this event happen. It truly takes a village…

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X-Factor Finalist and Santa Cruz musical phenom Chris Rene made an appearance for Zane Keith and Marissa Hushaw’s Global Youth Service Day April 22nd supported by Disney and Sodexco to show his support of no children going hungry in Santa Cruz County.

Chris Rene on Atlanta's WILD 105.7 and 96.7

So when a good friend gave us a heads up that Mr. Chris Rene was rocking the Grind Out Hunger Music Logo and Zane Keith’s Hunger Fighter Bracelet (get yours by clicking the links and help feed kids!)on Atlanta’s WILD 105.7 and 96.7 special appearance we felt compelled to let the world know how amazing it is that we have his support. (Make sure to buy Chris Rene’s song Young Homie HERE)

David J On-Air for Atlanta's WILD 105.7 and 96.7

With artists like Chris Rene it will begin to be impossible for people to avoid hearing that kids are going hungry right in their own hometown. Thank You David J On-Air from Atlanta’s WILD 105.7 and 96.7 for getting these photos to the Grind Out Hunger team and let’s keep pressing the fact that no kid should go hungry for any reason. Thank You Chris Rene for showing the world that you are helping bring awareness to childhood hunger.

Grind Out Hunger is dedicated to empowering people to be advocates against childhood hunger and malnutrition. The energy has been catching on with major musicians representing the cause and lending their presence to bringing awareness to the masses that surfers, skaters, snowboarders and musicians are not going to let kids go hungry PERIOD. Look for more collaborations coming soon…

Mission statement: Empowering the youth by utilizing the passion of skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding and music to recognize the importance of community and food literacy.

Vision statement:  To alleviate childhood hunger and malnutrition by 50% nationally by 2015.

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Join us at The Reef/Pono Hawaiian Grill on Saturday May 12th for the Grand Opening of The Reef Bar as well as the celebration of Pono Hawaiian Grill winning “Best New Restaurant” of 2012. Grind Out Hunger will be in da house with our new Hoodies, Tees, Stickers, Wristbands, and more…
See you all there! Event details below…

The Reef Grand Opening Party & Celebrating Pono Hawaiian Grill
Winning Best New Restaurant in the Good Times “Best of” 2012

120 Union St. 
Santa Cruz, CA

Saturday May 12th
11am – 11pm

Live Music 2pm-10pm

Buffet 5-9pm
$14.99 per person 

• All Day Happy Hour
• $5 Mai Tai’s & Hawaiian Margaritas
• $3 Kona Drafts

**10% proceeds donated to Grind Out Hunger**

Event on Santa Cruz Patch: http://santacruz.patch.com/events/the-reef-grand-opening-pono-hawaiian-grill-celebration

RSVP on Facebook Here: https://www.facebook.com/events/304915226251788/

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Aptos Jr. High’s Whiplash has a goal set of raising 2000 Meals for Grind Out Hunger during their upcoming show on May 13 at Coasters Bar & Grill.
Help them reach their goal by donating at the show OR online HERE:
http://thefoodbank.givezooks.com/grassroots_fundraisers/whiplash-grinds-out-hunger

Coasters Bar & Grill Presents:

WHIPLASH
OVERCAST
ALIVE

Sunday, May 13

5-7:30pm

Coasters Bar & Grill
in the Boardwalk Bowl

115 Cliff Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

NO COVER

**A Benefit for Grind Out Hunger**

RSVP to the Facebook Event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/209872465796454/

Event on Santa Cruz Patch: http://santacruz.patch.com/events/aptos-jr-highs-whiplash-show-to-benefit-grind-out-hunger? 

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Marissa Hushaw came on board with Grind Out Hunger about 4 months ago with a $1000 goal set in mind. She wanted to hit that goal by the end of her snowboarding season…well the end of the season is here and we are all proud to say that she passed her goal and has raised $3907.
That amount of cash converts to 15,628 meals.

Through her snowboarding and consistent advocacy of the Grind Out Hunger program and mission, Marissa has changed the lives of many, not only the lives of those who need food, but those who have been looking for a way to help their community. Marissa has infected the lives of many of the youth, giving them a sense of purpose and introducing them to the world of philanthropy and giving. We look forward to having Marissa on our team as a Hunger Fighter through the Summer months as she launches her Summer Grind Out Hunger Campaign.

“Wow where do I start? This season has been freaking amazing. From the hiking to secret early pow stashes, to ending my season shredding the hill ALONE with Andy Finch and some cameras. Riding with Andy was amazing. We got on the hill by snowcat before it opened and shredded everything! We even did some rock drops! He’s crazy and I’m stoked to have ridden with him. That was a huge highlight of my season, but my favorite part had to be the turnout at my Grind Out Hunger Rail Jam!!! All the support I got this season from friends family and people I didn’t even know until now. My Winter goal of raising $1,000 Was obliterated within the first month. It ended with nearly $4,000!!! How rad is that!? Unfortunately now that the Winter has melted away (until i head on up to High Cascade Snowboard Camp in Oregon this Summer) I have to move back into my surfing, skating, wakeboarding, rock climbing, and mountain biking mode! Which means a NEW summer goal. Since my last goal was finished within a month… Let’s raise it to $2,000! I want to see how quickly we can blow up that goal and how many kids we can feed. So from now until the end of august, let’s CRUSH my new goal and GRIND OUT HUNGER.”

~ Marissa Hushaw, Hunger Fighter

Marissa’s 2012 Summer Campaign has officially launched.  Head over to http://thefoodbank.givezooks.com/campaigns/marissa-hushaw-grind-out-hunger-summer to donate today.
Keep an eye out for updates on Marissa’s Summer adventures. We will be lining up some summer events to benefit her new campaign as well as releasing new product to purchase. Together we can Grind Out Hunger.

Marissa Hushaw and Andy Finch wearing Grind Out Hunger wristbands.

Marissa would like to express her thanks to EVERYONE that has supported her and her Grind Out Hunger campaign. Whether it was a monetary donation, or just repping the cause by wearing her wristband. Every little bit has helped in the movement against childhood hunger.

She would like to thank her current sponsors; Santa Cruz Snowboards, Giro, and of course her home mountain, China Peak Mountain Resort.

She has also gotten a great deal of support through the Grind Out Hunger sponsor channels and she would like thank each one of them…
• Jimbo Phillips Graphix
• Pono hawaiian Grill
• Jay Moriarity Foundation
• The Go Big Project
• Specialized Helicopters
• Whole Foods
• 102.5 KDON
• Santa Cruz Skate and Surf Shop
• 3D Construction
• and of course, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County

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The Good Times released their 2012 Best Of edition of their publication yesterday. We had a few shout outs in there as well as a few of our sponsors being recognized as winners. The Grind Out Hunger team wanted to give all of the winners a shout out…

Let’s start out with the big one. Grind Out Hunger Founder, Danny Keith was awarded with the  ”Local Mover Shaker” award for his drive and go-getter personality. Danny works day and night to fight hunger in this community and beyond. Big shout out to him for getting this award…

Next, we have one of our newer partners, Specialized Aviation. These guys won the “Best Local Thrill” award, and let us tell you, they definitely ARE the best. We have been up in the air with these guys several times including once with Good Times Editor, Greg Archer. Chief Pilot, Chris Gularte has joined the fight against hunger, agreeing to donate 15% of tour fees to the cause. Be sure to check them out. Tours start at $33. Dont pass this up!

If you are looking for some food while downtown Santa Cruz you HAVE to check out Pono Hawaiian Grill. Owned by Bruddah Timmy Hunt, these guys support Grind Out Hunger 110%. If you havent noticed, Bruddah Timmy provides food for almost ALL of our Grind Out Hunger events. Why? Because he supports the cause AND because the food is delicious. Big shout out to Bruddah Timmy and his crew for winning “Best New Restaurant”. Head over to Pono if you havent been there yet.

Who doesnt like cheese? Whole Foods Markets won Best Cheese selection this year. These guys are an official Grind Out Hunger sponsor, hosting benefit events over the Summer including our annual Whole Foods Skate Jam. Summer is appraoching fast, keep your eyes and ears open for events coming up with them. Until then, you might want to go to Whole Foods and pick up some cheese… 

We thought we would highlight our homie, Chris Rene. He took time out of his busy life last Sunday to come to our Youth Service Day event at Santa Cruz Skate and Surf Shop. Chris hung out with the kids, signed a big poster and other items for his little fans, and (we have been told) is repping his Grind Out Hunger hoodie around the country during his travels. Big thanks to Chris and congratulations on winning the “Best Display of Santa Cruz Talent” award. 

We also want to give recognition to the businesses and individuals that were runners-up for different categories in the 2012 Good Times Best Of Awards:

• Beachwear / Surf Shop / Surfboard shop - Santa Cruz Surf Shop

• Skateboard Shop – Santa Cruz Skate Shop

• Natural Food Market – Whole Foods

• New Business: Pono Hawaiian Grill

• Non-Profit: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz

• Solo Musician: Chris Rene

•Local Hero: Chris Rene

• Best Writer: Greg Archer

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!!!

~ Grind Out Hunger Team 

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Hunger Fighters Zane Keith and Marissa Hushaw

On Tuesday night family, friends, and community members gathered at Palapas Restaurant y Catina in the beautiful Seascape area to sit down and have dinner together in support of Hunger Fighter, Marissa Hushaw and Grind Out Hunger. A couple months ago Marissa approached Palapas asking if they would be interested in supporting her Grind Out Hunger campaign. They decided that they would choose a night in the month of April to donate 10% of their dinner profits to the cause. The night was wonderful, everyone eating dinner together, socializing, looking out over the ocean all in support of the cause.

By the end of the evening, through Palapas’ and several additional donations we ended up raising 2,380 meals for kids in need.

Hushaw Family With Danny Keith and Zane Keith

“I want to send out thank you’s to Mark Holcomb, Don and Hanna Palapas Managers, Chris, Brook, Angie and the entire staff for a great evening. So many of my amazing friends attended such as the Ramirez, Higginbotham, Perez, Watkins, Naranjo and Cabral families just to name a few!

I want to give a Special Thanks to Jared Lee and Jason Perez, full time China Peak employees, for coming all the way out here to visit and come to my event.  I know that the Grind Out Hunger word is getting out when my circle of snow friends are driving all the way from the mountain to get involved.

For those that couldn’t make it but wanted to…You are all Hunger Fighters and I greatly appreciate the support and donations before and after the event!”

- Marissa Hushaw, Hunger Fighter

Marissa and some fellow friends/supporters

Hunger Fighter Athlete, Zane Keith rolled through to support his fellow hunger fighter. These two have been teaming up recently to Grind Out Hunger. Be sure too keep an eye out for events coming your way with these two involved….
We pulled both of them aside and did a mini photo shoot outside of the restaurant. Enjoy a few photos….