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Hey Everyone! Shawn here…

I woke up this morning, not wanting to get out of bed, so comfortable under my blankets. After laying there for a bit it finally hit me that we have officially entered 2012. A New Year. My thoughts started to take me back several years ago when I was in middle school,  living on a diet of Top Ramen for about a month and living in a 1 room studio apartment with my Mom and Sister. I remember feeling like my life was never going to get better, like I was stuck in a dark place where light was unable to reach.
With the help of family and friends I was able to get out of that tough period in my life and turn things around, but it wasn’t without a great deal of self motivation and the courage to fight.

Now, years later, I am working in the non-profit world thinking of every possible way to help those that are currently in the situation that I used to be in. I know that I have the power to make a difference. I know i have the power to change the world, but I also know that I can’t do it alone.

Grind Out Hunger is first and foremost about empowering the youth, helping them realize that they CAN make a difference in the world around them. What kids and adults need to realize is that every act of kindness, no matter how small, is significant. Not only does it leave you feeling good, but it feeds hope. The hope that might be fading within the minds of those going through a tough time. This small bit of hope that each of us has the power to spread is all it takes to pick someone up and change their life.

I found this quote earlier today that is going to help me get my message across:

Not everyone can donate hundreds of dollars. Not everyone has the time to volunteer hours and hours at a non-profit. This does not mean that you can not make a significant impact on someones life. Dont feel like your quarter or your dollar donation is insignificant. We can’t walk around with the mind set that others are going to fix problems of hunger, malnutrition, homelessness for us. We cant rely on others to change the world. WE have to be the CHANGE and the only way that this can happen is if we fight this war together.

I’m forming an army of Hunger Fighters. I need YOUR help.

If you want to become a Hunger Fighter email me by clicking my name: SHAWN HATJES
OR fill out a volunteer inquiry at this link:  http://grindouthunger.org/volunteer/

If you have the ability to donate money to the cause please click the button below.

If you are a kid and don’t have the ability to donate online, please shoot me an email and we can talk about how you can get your donation to Grind Out Hunger.

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Before walking into a school to do a presentation, we always check to see how many pounds that particular school raised last year. When we saw that New Brighton Middle School had only raised about 230 pounds, we knew that this was the year to get these kids fired up. Danny took the stage and quickly settled the kids down so they would hear the message he was about to get across to them. He explained the basics, $1=3 pounds of food, 55,000 people in Santa Cruz County are food insecure with half being kids, and that it is the youth of Santa Cruz that needs to step up and fight this war against hunger.

Danny emphasized the symbolism of the Grind Out Hunger Wristband during his presentation. He explained that everyone that wears a wristband is showing their community that they are a “Hunger Fighter”.

He amped the kids up by asking 2 simple questions:

“Are you the type of school that lets your friends go hungry?” The kids screamed… “NO”
“Can the New Brighton Vikings be Hunger Fighters?” The kids erupted… “YES”

Near the end of the presentation we could see that some of the kids were getting restless, were they getting the message? Or getting bored?
As Danny was explaining that $1 can provide 4 healthy meals, kids began to raise their hands, not because they had questions but because the wanted to hand over their lunch money as donations. Hands were popping up all over the room with cash clenched in hand. Kids were emptying their pockets handing us quarters, nickels, dimes, and dollar bills. They ended up raising $80 by the end of the presentation that morning. That’s equivalent to 240 pounds of food! Within a 5 minute window the students of New Brighton had already beat their previous year’s number.

We have no doubt that they will hit their 3,000 pound goal this year.

If you would like to donate online you can have it directed to New Brighton’s food drive but following the link below and selecting your donation to “New Brighton Middle School”

Want to listen to Danny Keith’s presentation at New Brighton Middle School?
Play the Youtube vid below to listen. (Audio only)

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Danny Keith being handed his Community Hero Award

Grind Out Hunger founder, Danny Keith received the United Way Community Hero award for the year of 2011. Danny was presented this award under the category of “Health”, recognizing his efforts and accomplishments as the founder of Grind Out Hunger.

Grind Out Hunger was born out of the Santa Cruz Skate and Surf Shop in 2003, when Danny realized by the fact that 1:8 kids were food insecure in Santa Cruz County. As of 2008 that number has jumped to 1:4 kids within Santa Cruz County being food insecure. Danny, with the youth by his side, put his beloved Skate and Surf Shop in the hands of his son Zane and will do everything he can to fight this war against childhood hunger. Grind Out Hunger  has collectively raised 800,000 pounds through the youth of Santa Cruz County. With a goal of 500,000 pounds for this holiday food drive season, Grind Out Hunger will pass the 1 Million pound mark by the new year.

When it come to Grind Out Hunger, Danny claims himself to be the “clown on duty”.  He believes that this community hero award is for all of the students and youth that have stepped up to fight child hunger within Santa Cruz County.

Equipped with a 60 foot semi trailer full of skateboard ramps, skateboard decks, trucker hats, pins and Grind Out Hunger fighter bracelets, it is apparent that Danny Keith is taking this battle seriously in the war on childhood hunger.

A big congrats to Danny Keith and all of the youth that have stepped up to help Grind Out Hunger. Look for Grind Out hunger to continue it’s push into the nation with collaborative food drives and fund raising for other Food Banks around the country. 2012 is going to be a big year!

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Many of you know that the Grind Out Hunger crew offers to give a presentation to schools all around Santa Cruz County, but did you know that we also offer tours of the Second Harvest Food Bank Facility? Check it out!

Last Thursday we had a group of about 25 kids from Santa Cruz Montessori visit Second Harvest Food Bank for a tour!
When the kids arrived we greeted them out front and introduced our team. Once the introductions were done we directed the kids into our large conference room where they all took a seat and listened to a presentation about Second Harvest Food Bank by our Senior Outreach & Education Manager, Joel Campos. He showed them a quick slideshow as well as answered a few questions the kids had.
Once the presentation was over Grind Out Hunger founder, Danny Keith, took the kids on a tour of the facility.The kids got to meet Second Harvest’s CEO, Willy Elliott-McCrea as well as Brooke Johnson, our Chief Operations & Programs Officer.
We took a stroll through the warehouse where the kids were able to see forklifts in action, moving, weighing, and packing food to be distributed out to the community.
At the end of the tour we all took a seat out front under the sun and Danny Keith gave them a quick presentation about the Grind Out Hunger program and ideas of different ways they could raise money and food donations for their Grind Out Hunger food drive.
They were such a great group of kids, very attentive and full of great questions and comments.

We just got a message today saying that the donation barrels at Santa Cruz Montessori need to be replaced be cause they are full!!!
New barrels are on their way! We cant wait to see how many pounds these kids raise! The definitely have the spirit!

Good Luck with the rest of your food drive Santa Cruz Montessori!

Joel Campos talking to the kids about Second Harvest Food Bank.

Brooke Johnson talking to the kids about what she does at Second Harvest Food Bank.

Willy Elliott-McCrea talking facts to the kids. Did you know 1:4 kids are food insecure?

Danny Keith showing the kids around the Second Harvest Warehouse

Wrapping up the tour with a little Grind Out Hunger presentation.

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MMS 2nd Grade Class showing off what items to bring to donate to the Grind Out Hunger Food Drive

Students Unite to Collect Food
Posted to Watsonville Patch on November 2, 2011 at 5:00am
Article by: Leigh Ann Clifton

Gazing out from the stage in the school’s Assembly Room, 15 second grade students stood and collectively asked the assembled audience some objective questions: “What if you only had one meal a day, could you be happy? Could you concentrate in school? Probably not,” they answered. “Your stomach would ache, your head would hurt and your heart would be broken.”

The audience, Mount Madonna School’s (MMS) 6th through 12th graders, listened quietly. “One in four children in Santa Cruz County doesn’t have enough to eat,” the second graders continued. “What did you have for breakfast and lunch? Will you have dinner tonight? Many in our community will not.”

Like many local schools, MMS is participating in the Second Harvest Food Bank’s “Grind Out Hunger” program, with students, faculty and staff urged to reach into their pantries and donate food to feed those less fortunate.

“Children in Santa Cruz County need our help,” comments 7-year-old Grace Timan.

“People are suffering,” adds classmate Ben Pearson.

“We are fortunate; we have food so we should help others,” says Addy Catterall-Pendleton.

“We want everyone here at MMS to be kind and give a donation,” urges Bryce Adams.

Following a recent presentation by Shawn Hatjes, an MMS alumnus who now works with the Grind Out Hunger program, the second grade adopted the food drive as part of their class’s social service curriculum, says second-grade teacher Jenni Leach.

The class learned about hunger in the community from the Second Harvest website, and practiced their math skills in referencing statistics from Second Harvest’s 2010 Hunger Survey. The students designed posters based on what they had learned to encourage donating on the MMS campus. They wrote letters to their 6th grade big buddies about why each person should donate to Grind Out Hunger. The second grade then created a class four-paragraph essay about the needs of the local community, the Grind Out Hunger program, MMS’ history of giving; and how the students can give more this year. The second graders presented their essay to the Mount Madonna’s middle and high school students to enlist their participation with the effort, too.

“According to Second Harvest ‘2010 Hunger Survey,’ some 17,000 people per week in Santa Cruz County are served food through the bank’s program, up from 12,000 in 2006,” notes Leach. “That is about 885,000 people a year needing food in this county!”

People wishing to contribute to MMS’ collection for Grind Out Hunger can bring up donations of canned and boxed foods. Monetary donations are also welcome – for every one dollar donated, Second Harvest is able to purchase three pounds of food from local farmers and vendors. Mount Madonna’s participation in the food drive continues until Thanksgiving.

Grind Out Hunger was started in 2003 by Santa Cruz Skate and Surf Shop owner Danny Keith, as a way to inspire kids to get involved with helping other kids in the community who didn’t have enough to eat. “He is one compassionate skateboarder,” says the second grade class.

MMS 2nd Grade Class presents Grind Out Hunger to Middle and High School Students

Grind Out Hunger Program Coordinator, Shawn Hatjes, with MMS 2nd Grade class after presentation.

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Talk about a fired up crowd of kids! These little ones at Del Mar Elementary were screaming at the top of their lungs telling Danny Keith, Grind Out Hunger founder, they they were all going to bring in TONS of food donations this holiday season.

Danny walked up and sat on the stage in from of all of the kids at Del Mar. After getting all of the kid’s attention he talked for a while about Second Harvest Food Bank, how it operates, and who it serves. He explained how the food bank distributes food to over 200 Agencies that, in turn, give them out to the community members in need. It is the youth’s job to help their peers and feed their friends by donating to the food bank through Grind Out Hunger.
Danny asked the kids to each bring in a quarter and give it to their teacher to count towards their Grind Out Hunger Food Drive.
Danny explained that each quarter is equivalent to 1 healthy meal.

We wrapped up the presentation with a quick question and answer session. We had questions from many students, but one comment for student, Terra Bella that stood out. Terra Bella explained to Danny that she thinks that each student at Del Mar Elementary has the capability of bringing in 4 pounds of food. The school has approximately 430 kids which means that Terra Bella has set the goal for Del Mar Elementary at 1,300 pounds.
Think they can do it? We Do!!! The Grind Out Hunger team thinks they can exceed that goal!

Cant wait to see how many pounds they bring in!
Good luck Del Mar Elementary!

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Aptos High School, the first school to embrace Grind Out Hunger back in 2005. When all other schools questioned the brand new program, Aptos took it in and owned it. We know these kids have endless amounts of school pride and sprit. It is this motivation that will bring Aptos High School to the top during this years food drive.

Principal, Casey O’Brien introduced Grind Out Hunger founder, Danny Keith to all 1400+ students in the gym. Danny took the floor and gave his speech to all of the students on how and why they need to step up to help fight this battle against hunger in our community.

Danny emphasized 3 main ways to make their food drive numbers sky rocket:

#1: Bring a bagged lunch to school and donate the $3 that you would have used to purchase a meal on campus to Grind Out Hunger.
#2: Take that quarter that you get for change during lunch and drop it into a donation container every day. A quarter = 1 healthy meal.
#3: Bring in canned food and drop them in the donation barrels around campus.

We looked at the numbers and found that last year Aptos Jr. High raised 11,500 Pounds. Almost tripling Aptos High’s raise last year of 4,500. We are wanting to see Aptos High to own this program again and be the ones on top. With their student body and faculty, we know they all have more than enough power to do it.

As we left Aptos High we had a teacher run up to us and buy a skateboard. We also has a faculty member say that he had funds that would tack on another 1200 pounds. Thats 1400 pounds right off the bat! Aptos High is already on a roll.
Let see what happens when the kids start bringing in the donations!

We are planning on having a skate event at Aptos High School on Wednesday November 9th at 1pm. This will be our first ever skate event held on a school campus. Students from Aptos as well as all schools within Santa Cruz County are welcome. We will bring our full ramp setup in our NEW 48ft trailer. Students will be allowed to skate as long as they bring in $5 OR 5 Cans to donate that day.

It is required that participants fill out a waiver and bring it to the event in order to skate.
You can download that waiver HERE: Aptos_High_Liability_Release (50)

If you are wanting to donate online you can CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW and make your donation direct to Aptos High School’s food drive numbers…

Aptos High Principal, Casey O'Brien (left) and Grind Out Hunger Founder, Danny Keith.

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Grind Out Hunger season is in full effect. We are traveling around the county speaking to schools, encouraging the kids to raise food/money for this years Grind Out Hunger Food Drive. We have been having a lot of positive feedback and all of the kids seem to be fired up! From what we are seeing it seems like they are getting it, they know that they a a huge part of solving the hunger issues we have in our county and beyond.

We thought we would give you all a quick update of our school presentation adventures…

Aptos High School

A few weeks ago we sat down with Aptos High School principal, Casey O’Brien and asked him why Aptos Jr. High crushed them in pounds raised for Grind Out Hunger last year. O’Brien, fired up, said that this year they would rock the Grind Out Hunger Food Drive. Their food drive kicks off this Friday, we are traveling over to Aptos High to present to the entire high school in order to get the kids amped and ready. We will also be announcing that we will be having a Skate Jam on their campus in a couple weeks. Our First ever skate jam hosted by a school. This is a HUGE stepping stone for Grind Out Hunger…We will update you all on that bit later.

Ceiba College Prep

A couple representatives from Ceiba College Prep came in to Second Harvest Food bank on Tuesday afternoon. They took a tour of the facility, filiming it, in order to create a short video to present to the rest of the students back at the school. They were able to flag down Danny Keith and get him to do a short, personal presentation to the kids on camera asking them to raise food and beat their 1,300 pound mark that they hit last year.

Mission Hill Middle School

Mission Hill Middle school is always a fun place to visit. Instead of presenting to a room of students we present on Mission Hill TV, which is broadcast to each class throughout the school. We sat in a small room and talked for a while about the Grind Out Hunger Food Drive and how the kids can get involved and raise the most amount of pounds for their school. Mission Hill is excited about selling our Grind Out Hunger wristbands. Each wristband is equivalent to 6 pounds of food! A great way to fund raise!

Monte Vista Middle School

Monte Vista Middle School, what a great campus and group of kids. We presented to them in their gym and got a phenomenal reaction from every single one. They had a whole assembly prepared showing videos as well as kids explaining to their peers what types of food to bring in to donate. We had a great time with all of those kids, we even had students come up to us giving us cash donations on the spot! How awesome is that!?! We are looking forward to seeing what Monte Vista will do this year after last years 6,000 pounds raised! Lets hit that 8,000 mark shall we? Or maybe 10,000!? You all have the drive and spirit! Let’s do this!

Recording a short video to present to Ceiba College Prep students.

Monte Vista Middle School

Grind Out Hunger founder, Danny Keith, speaking to Monte Vista Middle School.

Students at Monte Vista Middle School present to their peers what types of food to bring in to fill their donation barrels.

]]> http://grindouthunger.org/2011/10/26/grind-out-hunger-school-food-drive-kickoff-updates/feed/ 0 http://grindouthunger.org/2011/10/16/noah-gabay-speaks-to-orchard-school-on-behalf-of-grind-out-hunger/ http://grindouthunger.org/2011/10/16/noah-gabay-speaks-to-orchard-school-on-behalf-of-grind-out-hunger/#comments Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:53:30 +0000 shawn http://grindouthunger.org/?p=1890

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We were approached by Noah Gabay a couple months ago. For his Bar Mitzvah he is required to complete a certain amount of community service hours he wanted to help out with local non-profit that he would be able to continue helping once his community service hours were completed. We first thought about putting him to work at our warehouse, sorting food or stuffing envelopes to send out to the community. This wasn’t what Noah wanted to do, he wanted to be more active and play a lead role in the fight against hunger. Noah told us that he wanted to present to kids on behalf of Grind Out Hunger. He wanted to stand up in front of groups and ask his peers to help him fight food insecurity within Santa Cruz County and beyond.

Thrilled, we quickly set up a meeting with Noah and went over facts, tips, and ideas for how a presentation would look. He took all of the info we threw at him, absorbed it, studied it and put it to perfect use. He presented to Orchard School last Thursday morning. We went along with him to show our support, but he did all the talking. The next day we received an email from the school requesting for materials to run a food drive. Noah has put Orchard School on the map this year for Grind Out Hunger. We cant wait to see what this school can do!

Big shout out to Noah for doing this. We hear that Noah is going to continue speaking to classes and schools around the county. We will be sure to keep you all updated as he continues to help spread the word of Grind Out Hunger. Be sure to check out the YouTube video we embedded below of Noah presenting to Orchard School.

If you would like to help out Grind Out Hunger in any way, please feel free to send us an email:
shawn@grindouthunger.org

Noah standing next to Grind Out Hunger founder, Danny Keith.