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We talked to our buddies in Blue Weekend and they agreed to play a benefit show for us at Santa Cruz Skate and Surf Shop. We decided that we would have the entry to the event be FREE, but we are requesting that people donate to Grind Out Hunger. This event is about bring people together in support of a good cause, if we help feed kids in our community while doing it, GREAT! We will have Grind Out Hunger product available and well as some special Blue Weekend merch with proceeds benefitting Grind Out Hunger.

Feel free to bring Canned food and/or Ca$h donations to the event.

Email Shawn Hatjes with any questions or concerns.

SEE YOU ALL THERE!!!
Event details below…

Santa Cruz Skate and Surf Shop Presents:

Blue Weekend

February 12, 2012
6:30pm 

A benefit show for Grind Out Hunger

No Cover. Donations Appreciated.

LOT F MINI RAMP will be OPEN.
(Notarized waiver required to skate. Download waiver HERE.)

To find out more about Blue Weekend visit their Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/blueweekend 

To RSVP to this event check out the Facebook Event at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/377798932236934/ 

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Its been a crazy week at Grind Out Hunger Headquarters. We teamed up with a good friend of ours, Connor Luther, and shot some video of community members that are doing their part in the fight against hunger. Last Friday we woke up at 5am and cruised over to Salinas to join the 102.5 KDON Morning Madhouse in their studio. We were given the opportunity to film them talking about why they work so closely with Grind Out Hunger. These guys have shown up at food drives to hang out, they have given Grind Out Hunger air time and support everything that we do.

As you all can imagine, it was a crazy morning! Those guys are ridiculous.  45 minutes of filming…for a 30 second final clip! Lets just say, we got our fair share of outtakes …From Domingo forgetting his lines to Showbiz using his phone during recording, it was a blast.
Hey, whoever said fighting hunger can’t be fun!?

Big thanks to the Madhouse guys; Sam Diggedy, Showbiz, Domingo, and RickyDanny for supporting the cause.

The 102.5 KDON Morning Madhouse are Hunger Fighters….ARE YOU!?

Check out the video below and for more videos of Hunger Fighters in our community visit: TheFoodBank.Org/ThankYou

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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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Hey all! I’ve reached a little over half my $1000 goal already! With 3 more months to go during my Winter campaign, its looking like I’m going to be able to hit my goal and possibly take it even further!! Thanks to everyone who has already donated. It seems as if Mother Nature is being a bigger challenge than reaching my Grind Out Hunger goal! My home mountain, China Peak has been blowing millions of gallons of man made snow. The mountain is pretty crazy, game on!

Hoping for some storms to come in soon. Can’t wait to board on some fresh powder.
Meanwhile, have a Happy New Year! Get out there, ride and lets Grind Out Hunger!!

It’s been a couple weeks now since Marissa Hushaw has joined our Grind Out Hunger army. When she first joined it seemed like she was a little nervous about setting a $1000 goal. That amount of money can seem like a lot to a 14 year old, but what we dont think Marissa realized was that she isn’t in this fight alone.
$620 raised so far, Marissa is over half way to her goal. We are predicting that she will meet and exceed the $1000 in no time!

As we were brainstorming ways to help Marissa meet her goal we came up with the idea of creating a Special Edition Marissa Hushaw Grind Out Hunger wristband. Similar to our standard lime green Grind Out Hunger Wirtstnbands, these are customized specifically for Marissa and her campaign. The wristbands are hot pink with black writing and “Marissa Hushaw” embossed in pink on the inside.

They are going for $5.00 a piece and are LIMITED. 100% of the donation goes to Marissa Hushaw’s Winter Campaign. Grab one of these limited Special Edition Wristbands and show everyone that you are teaming up with Marissa to help fight hunger.

To join Marissa’s fight against hunger, get a wristband and to help her reach her goal click  the link or image below to order one!

http://grindouthunger.bigcartel.com/product/grind-out-hunger-wristbands 

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Schools all over Santa Cruz County are wrapping up their Grind Out Hunger Food Drives as it gets closer to their Winter vacation. We were contacted today at Grind Out Hunger headquarters by Gateway School, informing us that they have finished their food drive and are ready to hand us their collected donations.  Last year Gateway School was the winner of the Grind Out Hunger Elementary School Award for raising almost 7,000 pounds of food! This year, when we went to the school to give our presentation at the end of November, they told us that they were going to pass that number and hit the 8,000 pound mark.

DID THEY HIT THEIR GOAL!?

Shhhhhh…it’s a secret.
We will reveal all of the schools earnings, and the Grind Out Hunger award winners in the near future.

What we do know is that Gateway filled 5+ donation barrels with food AND are giving us a cash donation from selling ALL of their Grind Out Hunger wristbands and Skate Decks! Kids brought in their piggy banks from home, full of coins to donate to their food drive. Students also set up a hot chocolate stand at the Annual Lighted Boat Parade, sold hot chocolate, and have all of the money go to Grind Out Hunger!

A student from Gateway explained, “I didn’t realize giving stuff away could be so much fun!”

This is what Grind Out Hunger is all about. Inspiring and encouraging the youth to help their friends and family. It only takes one person to make a difference. Every single kid in this county has the power to change the world.

There is still time to donate to Gateway and other schools in the county for their Grind Out Hunger food drive. All you have to do is click the button below and direct your donation to the school of your choice! Its that easy! Every $1 provides 3lbs towards your chosen school’s food drive!

If you or your school has a story they would like to share send it over to shawn@grindouthunger.org
we would love to share it with everyone on our website!!!

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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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Vanguard Surf and Skate Shop, located in Torrance, California is teaming up with the Grind Out Hunger campaign by hosting a Holiday Skate Jam to benefit the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. With the collaboration between Grind Out Hunger, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and Vanguard Surf and Skate Shop this could be the first major step for Grind Out Hunger to expand to a national campaign. Skate Jam participants are being asked to bring 2 pounds of food to donate and in return they will receive 15% off at Vanguard Surf and Skate shop.

Support this growth by notifying friends and family down in Southern California that this event is happening!

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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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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!