FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lisa Allyn, Development Director
Telephone Number: w: 831-722-7110 ext 217
Email Address: lisa@thefoodbank.org
Web site addresses: www.thefoodbank.org and www.grindouthunger.org
Word Count: 358
Grind Out Hunger Campaign Begins
Local Schools Target Goal of 100,000 Pounds of Food
Santa Cruz—News of the economic crisis can be dispiriting. The Food Research and Action Center recently reported that 18.5% of California’s children live in poverty. We know that 1 in 4 kids in Santa Cruz County have experienced hunger in the last year. In spite of this, our community has a great opportunity to fight these grim statistics. Local schools, Santa Cruz Skate Shop and Second Harvest Food Bank are collaborating to combat childhood hunger this year with the Grind Out Hunger campaign.
Over the past four years, kids of all ages have contributed over 220,000 pounds of food for their peers in need as part of Grind Out Hunger. This year, Santa Cruz Skate Shop owner Danny Keith is challenging schools to bring in at least 100,000 pounds. He will travel all over the county in the coming weeks to talk about how local kids can help each other to get the nourishment they need to grow and learn. He will also be talking about prizes.
“We’ll be awarding the schools who give the most food with gift certificates to Santa Cruz Skate Shop. Last year we gave away $1,200 in merchandise of the winners’ choices, and we’ll do the same again this year,” said Danny Keith.
“We’re very excited to be working with Danny again this year,” said Second Harvest Development Director Lisa Allyn. “It’s so wonderful for students to be able to help their peers in such a direct way while working towards a goal.” Allyn added that the food drive will last from October 5-November 20. Students can fill barrels at their schools with non-perishable items such as cereal, canned items, and dry goods. They may also donate cash. “We can make cash donations go pretty far, so each $1 that a school donates will be equivalent to 3 pounds of food,” said Allyn.
To learn more about the Grind Out Hunger food drive, contact Bly Morales at (831) 722-7110 x 226 or bly@thefoodbank.org or go to www.grindouthunger.org. You can view a video about Grind Out Hunger at www.thefoodbank.org.
