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Happy Thanksgiving!
During this time of year we spend time reflecting on what we are thankful for, reminiscing with family and friends, and enjoying delicious foods. Yet, as we enter this holiday season, we are also aware that too many hungry families must struggle to keep warm and to put food on their holiday tables. This edition of the eAdvocate profiles MAZON grantees across the country that are working to make this holiday season a little brighter for these millions of hungry families.
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Help for the Holidays
Capital Area Food Bank
Washington, DC
The Capital Area Food Bank was founded on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, January 15, 1980. One of the largest nonprofit anti-hunger and nutrition education resources in Washington, D.C., in 2005 CAFB celebrated 25 years of nourishing the National Capital region. Through its network of 700 agencies, CAFB distributes 20 million pounds of food, including six million pounds of fresh produce. To end hunger in D.C., CAFB employs a combination of education, mobilization, advocacy and direct service. As part of its community building efforts and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, the food bank is conducting “Bringing in the Birds with Bucks.” Through this initiative, Capital Area Food Bank is raising money to provide turkeys for the senior citizens who participate in its Brown Bag Program, which is a supplemental, nutritious food program serving low-income seniors. The goal of “Bringing in the Birds with Bucks” is to provide each senior with a $10 gift certificate toward the purchase of a turkey at a local grocery store. To sponsor a senior and make their holiday dreams come true, contact Megan Elsener.
Food Bank of Alaska
Anchorage, AK
The Food Bank of Alaska distributes nearly six million pounds of food to a statewide network of over 300 member agencies. FBA is working toward a goal of 13x13x13 — better
translated as: distributing 13 million pounds of food annually to all 13 regions of Alaska by 2013. This goal is derived from research conducted by Brandeis University and the Michigan Association of Food Banks, which suggested that “a community needs to distribute approximately 234 pounds of food per person in poverty each year in order to meet the need.” It’s an ambitious goal, and the food bank is combining tireless direct service efforts with anti-hunger advocacy to reach it. To mark Thanksgiving celebrations, the Food Bank of Alaska is conducting a Virtual Turkey Drive, which is a fund-raiser to provide turkeys for needy families this holiday season. People who want to participate can donate online by selecting "Virtual Turkey Drive" as the donation category. In addition, the Food Bank of Alaska is hosting the Anchorage Thanksgiving Blessing Project, which will distribute 4,500 dinners this year at eight different sites around the city. |
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2006 Annual California Hunger & Policy Conference
MAZON's ninth annual California Hunger & Policy Conference, which took place November 5-6, 2006, was a huge success! The conference, Feeding Our Minds, Calling for Change, brought together over one  hundred of the state's leading anti-hunger advocates for two days of training, networking and information sharing. In addition to advocacy and media skill-building sessions, the conference provided an opportunity for organizations to strategize at the regional level to enhance local food stamp and child nutrition efforts. Speakers included Nancy Amidei, a renowned advocacy trainer, and Lori Dorfman, a leading media advocacy consultant. And a MAZON conference would not be the same without Bob Greenstein from the Center on Budget & Policy Priorities, who shared his perspectives on the 2007 federal budget and the Farm Bill.
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Cramer Award
Edie Mesick, executive director of the Nutrition Consortium of New York State, received the 2006 Cramer Award in October.
The Cramer Award, given annually in honor of outstanding commitment and service to the fight against hunger, was given to Edie upon her retirement.
Over her 11 years at the Consortium, the organization has grown into a powerful anti-hunger advocacy voice for New York State.
During her tenure, Edie organized a multi-year Campaign to End Hunger, which brought together advocates, policymakers and state officials to expand access to federal food programs for hundreds of thousands of hungry New Yorkers; co-organized New York’s first statewide anti-hunger conference; helped to establish the Northeast Regional Anti-Hunger Network; and published authoritative hunger research, including a report on NYC’s post 9/11 disaster food stamp program.
MAZON congratulates Edie on all of her accomplishments and wishes her the best on her future endeavors.
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From the Toolbox
2007 California Childhood Obesity Conference -
Protecting the Future of Our Children
In collaboration with the UC Berkeley Center for Weight and Health and the California Department of Education, the California Department of Health Services, Primary Care and Family Health Division, is hosting the 2007 California Childhood Obesity Conference, Protecting the Future of our Children. The conference is scheduled for January 23-26, 2007 at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel. This event addresses California's childhood obesity epidemic, with special emphasis on those with greatest need – California families whose incomes are at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. For more information, click here.
The National Student Campaign Against Hunger
and Homelessness
The 2007 East Coast Student Summit on Hunger and Homelessness will be February 10-22, 2007 at Boston Univeristy. The East Coast summit is an opportunitiy to join students and activists from across the country for a weekend filled with workshops, discussions, networking and fun. To learn more, click here.
2007 National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference
Save the Date! The 2007 National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference is scheduled for February 25-27, 2007. The conference is co-sponsored by the Food Research & Action Center and America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network, in cooperation with the National CACFP Forum. For more information about the conference, please click here. |
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