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FOUNDERS' MESSAGE - Jennifer Van Bergh & Jill Johnson-Tucker

It is with great pleasure that we celebrate the beautiful new home of the Second Harvest Food Bank. It has been a long journey and well worth the tremendous effort and help from so many people. Gone are the old rickety buildings in Orange. The new facility provides significantly more space and much needed cold storage and the future addition of kitchen equipment. This means the people who need our help to feed their families will receive more fresh fruits and vegetables instead of canned and more fresh dairy products instead of dry. Now that is something to celebrate!

We are all feeling the pinch of higher gas prices and volatile housing values but none feel it more than the less fortunate families and seniors who struggle to pay their rent and put food on their tables. With this great need, the Harvesters are committed more than ever to raising the funds necessary to help these individuals and families. The Food Bank believes that they are currently reaching half of the hungry population in Orange County. We proudly join with them to “double the harvest.” We gratefully thank you all for your generous support over the years and urge you to help us reach each and every man, woman and child at risk of going hungry. We need you now more than ever!

CONTINUED CHALLENGES

Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County was founded in 1983 and has grown through the years continuing to respond to the needs of our less fortunate residents. They currently serve nearly 400 member charitable organizations – reaching about 200,000 individuals each month. Each dollar donated to the Food Bank provides $12 worth of food to the hungry in our community. This efficiency together with nearly 20,000 volunteers enables 94.2 cents from every dollar donated to be passed on through products and services for the needy. The Food Bank’s recent move to the new, updated 121,000 square foot building at the former El Toro Marine Base was a unique opportunity to expand its offerings to its member charities. Many challenges face the Second Harvest Food Bank –especially with a slowing economy – we are at more risk than ever before in meeting the needs of the hungry in Orange County. The inroads made with the 32 Kids Cafes have been particularly gratifying. The partnership with local youth programs enables after-school and summertime snacks, meals and nutrition education to reach 1,700 of the youngest people of our community who are prone to suffer detrimental effects of hunger and malnutrition. Continuing our support of these children and each Kids Cafe is imperative!

More than 2,600 seniors on low and fixed incomes are missing meals due to the rising costs of living and the high cost of needed medications. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County provides relief to many of these individuals through its Brown Bag program. Many of these seniors rely on the two bags of groceries the program provides twice each month. Seniors are often faced with the choice of paying rent or buying food. The budget for this program is approximately $97,000 per year. The Brown Bag program has 27 locations around the county.

The Food Bank has an important need for a refrigerated truck to transport food for three important programs; Kids Cafe, Mobile Pantry, and Food Rescue. Being able to transport food provides the opportunity for the Food Bank to partner with member agencies and distribute directly to the hungry more fresh produce and dairy products. The approximate cost for the refrigerated truck is $90,000. Delivering food to where it is needed is an important part of the mission for the Food Bank.

A SPECIAL FUND

This year, the Harvester’s Special Fund was quickly determined after Second Harvest Food Bank Director Joe Schoeningh gave a “call to action” to his Board. As the Food Bank works toward its goal to “double the harvest,” it has become clear the key to its success is in its ability to obtain product. The purchase of new refrigerated trucks would allow for the collection and distribution of a fresh variety of food.

Food sources include local grocery stores, food manufacturers and distributors, restaurants and private individuals. New trucks would also allow for the expansion of programs such as Food Rescue, which picks up prepared food from restaurants, caterers, hotels and amusement parks and delivers to member charities and Kids Cafes, providing healthy after-school snacks to underprivileged children.

The Harvesters created the Special Fund to accommodate families and foundations who are either restricted from sponsoring events or who prefer to donate funds for specific capital costs. We are happy to announce that this year’s Special Fund will be designated to the purchase of two (2) refrigerated trucks, each valued at $90,000. Sponsorship levels of the Fund are $5,000 and greater and if requested, donors will receive all of the benefits of Harvester underwriting at the participating level.

For more information on the Special Fund, please call Harvester Teddie Ray at 714-267-4680.

OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS

We would like to thank our munificent supporters from 2007! Much was accomplished last year that was the direct result of your generosity. Nearly one million dollars was donated to fund the move to the new facility and to support the many programs in place.

Assistance came from many and we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude. Our sincere appreciation goes to Fendi, South Coast Plaza, for hosting the 2007 Harvesters underwriter party at the beautiful home of Jackie and Colt Melby, complete with unparalleled views of the Pacific coastline. Fendi’s generosity provided a wonderful opportunity to honor our individual donors.

Julia Post once again sponsored the operations of a Kids Cafe for the entire year. She is a long-time member of the Harvesters and a good friend. We would also like to thank Mr. & Mrs. George O’Connell who also continued their support by sponsoring a Kids Cafe. Sustaining the Kids Cafe programs is an important goal of the Second Harvest Food Bank and to the lives of the many children it reaches.

The beautiful 2007 event was our way of thanking our many supporters. Chairman Robin McMonigle, an invaluable member of the Harvesters for many years and chair or co-chair for 4 years running, welcomed 500 charitable women to the sold-out fashion show and luncheon. The reception featured models wearing the finest of Cartier baubles and who were admired by guests sipping Cartier champagne, all sponsored by our great friend, Caroline Jones, the manager of Cartier, South Coast Plaza. The signature Harvester silent auction, well known for the fabulous items donated by our many friends who share our concern for the hungry, once again significantly enhanced our bottom line. The runway fashion show, underwritten and sponsored by South Coast Plaza, was a fashion extravaganza showcasing designers Chloé, Donna Karan, Fendi, Gucci, Marni, Emilio Pucci, Robert Cavalli, Saks Fifth Avenue, Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent.

The luncheon was held in the Palm Garden ballroom which radiated a warm, pink glow. Supporters of the event received a lovely box of Cartier stationary and our generous underwriters received a fragrance gift from Jo Malone, South Coast Plaza.

Versace
Versace supported the Harvesters by hosting a chic cocktail party for their fall 2007 grand opening event to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. The evening was highlighted by a vibrant fashion show in its new beautifully designed store located on the second level of South Coast Plaza. Proceeds from the event were donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Special thanks to Versace store manager, Margaret Kirby, for her efforts.

Oscar de La Renta
The spring grand opening event at Oscar de la Renta, South Coast Plaza, brought out Harvesters and our many friends to support the Second Harvest Food Bank. The gorgeous designs of Oscar de la Renta were beautifully presented during an exciting fashion show and cocktail party. Our thanks to Kay Warriner, manager of Oscar de la Renta, for hosting this special evening.