Tag Archive: second harvest food bank

Jan
04

“If You Can’t Feed a Hundred People, Just Feed One.”

Categories:
cantfeed3

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.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Dec
29

Marissa Hushaw Reaches Goal’s Halfway Mark!

Categories:

 

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 

If you would like to donate to the campaign, but do not want a wristband, please follow the button below: 

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Dec
20

Food Drive Update from Gateway School

Categories:
GATEWAY1

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!!!

Tags: , ,

Dec
07

New Brighton Middle School Kickoff Presentation

Categories:
NewBrighton_1

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)


Tags: , , , , , ,

Dec
06

Vanguard Surf and Skate Shop Presents: Grind Out Hunger Holiday Skate Jam! – Benefiting LA Regional Food Bank

Categories:
VANGUARD_FINAL_FBOOK

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!

 

Vanguard Surf and Skate Shop Presents:

Grind Out Hunger Holiday Skate Jam!
& best trick contest!

Sunday, December 11th, 2011
11am-Dark

5205 Pacific Coast Highway
Torrance, CA 90505

• MUSIC • FOOD • RAFFLE PRIZES •

Help Grind Out Hunger!
Bring 2 Pounds of dry/canned food and get 15% off at Vanguard Skate and Surf Shop!!!

All donations benefit Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

• Over 400,000 Children in LA County face hunger.
• For each $1 donated LA Food Bank can purchase $5 worth of food.

• www.vanguard-sss.com •

• www.lafoodbank.org •

RSVP to the Facebook Event Here: https://www.facebook.com/events/254468911279699/

Tags: , , , , , ,

Dec
05

Danny Keith Receives United Way Community Hero Award

Categories:
389864_10150382951768295_589043294_8558781_712645846_n

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!



Tags: , , , , ,

Older posts «

» Newer posts