10,000 Strong

Join the Dialogue

Tell us how you plan to take action during this historic time, about your experience with hunger, or just general thoughts about what you’ve seen on this site and your ideas about hunger in America.

Consider submitting pictures or videos of your MLK Day events, or just post a video from your webcam and share your thoughts with the world about hunger in the heartland.

Senator Steve Dille

Senator Julie Rosen

Ms. Minnesota USA - Erica Nego

Representative Margaret Anderson Kelliher

Representative John Benson

86 people have shared their thoughts so far.

Read below!

Hi, I think Minnesotans are very lucky to have such an organization to rely on. We are avid “givers” and one of my projects is gardening for 2 nursing homes. The residents love the feel of nature and the families and friends that come to visit enjoy the garden along with a man made waterfall. Keep up the good work and you will see my contribution when I as able.

Sharing several hours of time on MLK Day at Second Harvest showed me what a privilege it is to help others. I intend to continue my volunteer efforts on behalf of my fellow Minnesotans in need.

One of the small things that we do is to take advantage of the “buy one get one free” offers for groceries and household items. We just donate the free one instead of keeping it for ourselves. It costs nothing for us and means a lot to someone who has so little. I was a single mom for a few years, making $6 an hour working at a daycare. I will never forget what a big thing it is to receive what seems like a small gift.

I was shocked to learn that one in ten Minnesota families do not currently meet their basic food needs. This clearly is unacceptable, we can work together to bring an end to hunger in our communities. During this difficult economic environment the need is even greater and many additional families will need to rely on food banks to fill the present gap necessary to feed their families.

My daughter Taylor (12) and I participated in the day of service in honor of Dr. King at the Second Harvest Heartland on Monday and we both felt energized to be a small part of the fight against hunger here in the upper Midwest. We all know that the economy is struggling which means there are even more of our family, friends, and neighbors who are now struggling as well, but it will only get better if realize we are all in this together and that we can all make a difference that will turn things around. We both strongly encourage everyone to get involved, it was very easy to do and very worthwhile!

What a great idea - for 365 days a year. For that reason we contribute cash monthly to 3 local organizations fighting hunger and homelessness. When we were fortunate enough to have an increase in pension this year, we shared it by increasing the donation to each charity by $10/month. We also donate time and labor in our community.

We all think we know hunger - the grumbling stomach when we skip lunch or as we wait for dinner to be served or as we help ourselves to seconds because we’re “so hungry.” And if that is our only experience with hunger, perhaps we are lucky. Or perhaps we need to open our eyes wider to the reality of what hunger really is - having no choice but to skip meals, having no dinner waiting, and having no option of seconds. It truly breaks my heart to know that there are people in our community who can’t provide enough food for themselves or their families. Thank you, Second Harvest Heartland, for opening my eyes and my heart to those in need right in my backyard.

I know what it feels like to not have money, to almost lose my home which was saved by two days. Even though I struggle myself, I am doing better now and will never forget the people who helped me. That is why it is my honor to have donated 32 pounds of food today to my local foodshelf. And this national day of service will not be the only day I donate.

We live in the land of plenty. Food is wasted on a regular basis by some while others go hungry. This is an injustice that can be solved. Please join with Second Harvest to help get food to the 1 in 10 that are hungry.

That hunger exists says to me there is uneven opportunity in our communities, and yet in reality there is limitless opportunity. That doesn’t make sense, and it can’t stand the test of a caring culture. I think today I will take away a personal responsibility to re-think how to engage a wider range of folks… I promise to re-think what I can do to help more folks realize their dreams. I had no idea that we are leaving 1 in 10 people ‘behind’. We’re not on the right path.

It’s a privelege to live in one of the “richest & mot powerful countries” in the world. It’s hard to believe that children go to bed hungry because of lack of food. This is an outstanding opportunity to come together to “stamp out hunger” in America. Everyone can make a difference!

While information and technology is at most of our fingertips, food for many is often out of reach.This is an outstanding opportunity to connect the two extremes and make a difference. No one should go hungry.

The fact is that one in ten Minnesotans will experience food insecurity sometime in the next year. Let this MLK National Day of Service last the whole year. Get involved and stay involved in the work to end hunger in Minnesota.

It is great to see so many people showing support to end hunger. See all of the families who have come out today to help and learn about hunger in our community and want to help. It has been a wonderful day!!!

It’s exciting to part of the entire country’s coming together to help one another and to create a new ethic of gratitude for what we have and service to others. I particularly liked painting today, knowing that President-elect Obama was also painting this morning.

This day is important to me because it is a reminder of what we can all do to help those in need. We may all need help at one point or another. It is important that we all stay involved to make this world a better place.

I volunteered today based on a committment to fight hunger in this country. I too agree, as a priveleged American with a job and roof over my head, that it is my civic duty to help this altruistic organization.

In the richest country in the world, I whole heartedly believe there shouldn’t be a single American going to bed without food every night. As Americans, it is our civic duty to help end hunger.

I was one of the volunteers today, and I volunteered because I wanted to help people who don’t have as much as I have- especially on MLK Day!

I am here because I want to serve in the community with other people who find value in helping others as Mr King says we should “lead” as servants.

I am part of the volunteer group at
Second Harvest, and I wanted to help people who don’t have as much as I have-especially on MLK Day!

There are so many people in need, it is really inspiring to see first hand how so many people can come together to lend a helping hand.

free video player & video platform - interactive video, online video solution: video player, video editor - kaltura
wordpress video - wordpress plugin for integrated video on video blogs, and video tools

i am here because jesus christ gave his all for us and commanded us to care for each other. he told us that whatever we do for the least in our society, we do for him. i am grateful for what i have been given. serving in this way is a gift and a blessing to me.

It is hard to reconcile in my mind hunger in America, even though I am aware of it and have been aware of it most of my adult life. America the rich, the powerful, and yet America the hungry, recently, I have re-watched film footage of Bobby Kennedy as he toured some of the poorest communities in the nation, what struck me is this; some things have not changed much at all. We still have hunger in America, and in increasingly alarming rates it seems.

Even as great progress has been made in efforts like Second Harvest Heartland it seems to me that we must be willing to work with our legislators to affect real and lasting change. We must end hunger by working toward a more just society, one in which all of its members are valued. We must end hunger by making certain that education and living-wage jobs are available to all. We must end hunger by making our tax system fair and progressive, not regressive. As we go forward in this call to service let us remember that even the smallest of effort can generate a large return.

It wasn’t until recently that I found out there was such a large population in need of this type of service in Minnesota and in the US…. When I heard about this opportunity, I decided it was a great way to spend the day… I wanted a chance to do anything to help those in need. Thank you to Second Harvest Heartland for this opportunity to contribute!

This year more than ever, people are in need of food. I am happy to help out through service and support. I am very thankful for organizations like Second Harvest, who are so challenged in these hard times.
Li love volunteering at Second Harvest- the teamwork, and working together to help others is very satisfying.

Unfortunately I could not be present in Minnesota to celebrate 2nd Harvest Heartland’s MLK day and Presidential Inauguration events. However, leaving a few thoughts with you is important to me.

As you may or may not know, 2nd Harvest Heartland and FeedingAmercia.org are two very special organizations that have been gracious enough to assist me in a cause that is important to me: fighting hunger, with a particular emphasis on children and hunger. There is no reason why anyone should go hungry in this great Nation of ours. And there is no reason why any child should go without nutritious food. That is why I chose to join this cause.

Today we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who is himself a symbol of freedom, equal rights, and civic responsibility. He is a voice for those less fortunate and a voice for us all. His words and efforts remain as true today as they did during the Civil Rights movement in America. He is a voice that paved the way for all regardless of color, race, creed, and origin. He is one of the particular reasons why all of us enjoy the freedoms we enjoy today because he changed the landscape of equality and freedom for everyone – including myself and you.

We also celebrate history with the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States – the first African‐American President in this Country’s history. No doubt a product of Dr. King’s efforts.

I believe in a larger sense, Dr. King also symbolizes to me a voice for those who do not have one or those who are less fortunate. I hope that all Minnesotans can come together and pledge their support to fight hunger. Let us all be a voice fight hunger on behalf of those who do not have one.

Bernard Berrian (#87), WR Minnesota Vikings

Love the idea. I hope it goes far and I know it will. Even Pres. Bush, I understand, talked about hunger in his radio address.

I’ve collected food from my friends this morning, and will do some more this afternoon for a local food shelf. There is no reason for hunger in Minnesota. There is so much available, yet so many don’t have enough. I hope to continue to work to change that.

Minnesotans should end hunger in this state because it is the right and moral thing to do. When people have proper nutrition they can contribute to the greater good of all.

This is really cool what you’re doing. Im glad to help.

Second Harvest does incredible work to aid our community with one of its most critical needs. In this uncertain economic time hunger could strike anyone, all it takes is one layoff, one illness, one disaster and any of us could find ourselves needing help. By joining together to help our neighbors as a community we can make each one of us more resiliant.

i hope you get 10,000 people!

This is really cool what everyone is doing today i wish i could help.

America’s Promise to Fulfill: Freedom from Hunger

America is a great country. It will be an even greater country when we make sure that no one lives in hunger. But the truth is that millions of Americans, including children, do.

Too often, we think of hunger as something that exists only in other countries, without realizing that hungry people are right here among us in our own communities. In Minnesota, hunger is in our cities, our suburbs and our rural areas. The face of hunger may be seen in the man who works in your building but still doesn’t have enough money to properly feed his family. The face of hunger may be seen in the senior citizen who’s in line at the drug store but still struggles to pay for groceries toward the end of the month. The face of hunger may be seen in your child’s classmate who depends on the school nutrition program to get enough to eat.

The problem of hunger is connected to other problems: poverty, homelessness, joblessness, indebtedness and more. Yet, one of the best things we can do to provide a safety net against hunger is to make sure that federal food assistance programs reach people in need.

As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I feel a special responsibility to champion policies aimed at protecting Americans from the indignity and suffering that comes from being hungry.

It’s not well known, but two-thirds of the money in the 2008 Farm Bill will go to nutrition programs such as food stamps, the major anti-hunger program. This year, Congress will also reauthorize the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, which includes all the federal child nutrition programs such as the School Breakfast and the National School Lunch Programs, the Summer Food Service Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). I will advocate that this legislation is reauthorized at the level required to meet the nutrition needs of Americans, especially our children.

Fortunately, we have a new president who understands firsthand the important role of federal nutrition and food assistance programs. When he was a child, Barack Obama’s mother briefly received food stamps to put food on the table when she needed help. Obama has indicated his determination to strengthen America’s nutrition assistance programs as part of a strategy to end childhood hunger by 2015.

This was a great day….very productive! Until next time….

Great video on MySpace with celebrities, pledging to change the world… http://celebrity.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=celebrity.impact

As a teacher, I know first hand that hungry children make poor students. During my first term in Congress, I worked hard to ensure that school breakfast and lunch programs were fortified in 2008 Farm Bill and that these programs included not just more access for children from low-income families, but also better nutritional choices including fresh fruits and vegetables. Ending hunger in America is something that must be done, not only so our children can meet the educational goals we set for them, but also because it is a moral issue. In a nation as wealthy as ours, no child or adult should go hungry.

Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man who fought oppression, poverty and hunger wherever they reared their ugly heads. Moreover, Dr. King taught us to live a life of service to community and to making America the best it can be. I encourage all southern Minnesotans to join thousands of people across the country and get involved in their communities today. Helping can be as simple as bringing a bag of groceries to your local food shelf or dropping off a homemade meal for your low-income neighbor down the street.

The faces of hunger are diverse, but their need is the same. Please give what you can today.

Congressman Tim Walz

This is a very special day for me. With all that is going on in this nation with MLK Day and the innogaration of America’s first Black president, I am so inspired to do my part and volunteering with Second Harvest is an excellent way to do my part. Thank you Second Harvet for all that you do for our community!!

I am very glad to be able to help in any way that I.can at this year’s Second Harvest Food Bank. What a great way to give back.

I am a firm believer in the power of giving. I am very blessed to have employment, a home, etc.; many others are not. I understand there are 30% more people in Minnesota needing food, half of them are children. The least I can do is give time and money to help out. It doesn’t take much in life to have the tables turned and be in a crisis situation.- whether it be health problems, job loss, etc.

Just doing my part to help end hunger in the world because we have all felt the pain!

What a wonderful way to help others. I have enormous respect for the work being done by the Secong Harvest organization and feel honored to volunteer my time and energy. The people that are touched by the organization’s generosity, can rest assure that there are dedicated people working very hard to keep food on the table for many families. Hats off to Second Harvest !!!

There is no better tribute or way to spend my time than on this day than giving back to my own “beloved community.” This is a momentous occasion for so many reasons, I am just happy to do my part.

Hunger is more than an absence of calories and nutrition. Meals missed are greater than the absence of food on a plate. Meals are the work of many hands: hands that plant and cultivate the crops; hands that process crops for consumption; hands that distribute food through groceries and food shelves until the elements reach the hands that prepare the meals. Preparing meals are acts love; eating meals are moments for shared memories – sometimes meals are sacred acts. Meals are the culmination of many individual actions through a network of relationships. Meals embody the meaning of community. Meals missed are an absence of community. The state of hunger leads to isolation; it is an exile. As citizens, we are responsible for neighbors. There is enough food for all. Let’s define our Minnesota society as one where there is a place at the table for all who hunger for food and for community.

Volunteering is an amazing experience because you know that you are making a difference in the community. It feels great knowing that people have food because of what we are doing here at Second Harvest. We should do everything we can to help end world hunger. Thanks to all the volunteers who help those in need!

Even though I am employed full-time, I know what it is like to be several days away from pay day and have literally just $2 or $3 left in my pocket, and nothing in the bank. Admittedly, pride has kept me from going to my local food shelf to this point, *but* knowing it is there if I ever have to use it is a real comfort. Please support the work of Second Harvest and similar organizations. NO ONE needs to be hungry here in Minnesota!

Food is the most basic of all human needs- as we live and work in our communities, unknown to many of us, 1 in 10 is hungry. In many cases, this silent basic need stops many from living their lives to the fullest and thriving in our society. I am a part of the Second Harvest Board fighting hunger so that all may realize their own personal potential and live happy, healthy lives. In addition, I do this so that my three children will know how important giving back and helping others is.

It is amazing to believe that in our “land of plenty”, hunger still exists. Right here in the heartland, in our neighborhoods and in our children’s schools. We need to do everything we can to help those in need. Even one or two missed meals a week due to lack of resources is too many!!! Thanks to all who volunteer and are advocates for those in need!

Over the last five years of my life I started to see how hunger affects everything. I started to look at the connections between many of the worlds issues and hunger. When your hungry you don’t have the ability to function affectively. Hunger impacts everyone…everyone? EVERYONE! People may think hunger doesn’t affect them because their not hungry, but if you know someone who’s hungry it affects you also! Think about it if you couldn’t afford food would you tell your friends? I think I’d be embarrassed or ashamed to tell them. So be aware and know someone could be hungry that you work with, take yoga with or even have lunch with everyday! That meal at lunch might be the only meal they can afford. You can help in a lot of ways, donate money, food or time. Do whatever works for you! Thank you for your help in Ending Hunger!

As a mother, I cannot imagine not being able to provide enough food to my children. The fact that 1 in 10 Minnesota children faces hunger every day is intolerable. There are enough resource in this land of plenty to make sure nobody goes to bed hungry. Let’s start by ending hunger here in Minnesota.

What a great idea to make the dream of these next few days a reality for so many in our communities that have yet to share in the prosperity some of us have been given. Lets get together to demand that we make hunger a thing of the past. We can’t and shouldn’t wait any longer. I’ll match the idea of a skipped meal and hope others will as well.

Within the interconnectedness, the “oneness” of the universe, if we all continually give, we will all continually have. Thanks Second Harvest for all you do to keep that cycle going.

If each of us do our part even little or small this CAN come to an end. In my early Twentys the State came to my aide now each of us if only we realize how blessed that we really are and give and participate in ways that reach out to neighbors that we now may not know but in the future they can reach out to others. We need food to have a healthy brain and all of us even by finding a person we know or by giving to Second Harvest Will believe me make a differece in young and old lives and during these time we will make it though.

oops, just to be clear that was 10000strong.org that I linked to, and I checked the blog and it’s all working.

I just posted on our blog a link to 10000.org and urged my readers and network to get involved. Your video is awesome, this is a great idea and I hope you succeed. Folks can link to the website and blog at
http://growthandjustice.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/01/click-on-10000-strongorg-for-martin-luther-king-day.html

P.S. Hi Newell, thanks for the birthday greeting.

Dane Smith
President
Growth & Justice

Children are the most priceless gift we have as a nation and as a world. If the children are truly a priority to us, then let’s have our actions speak louder than our words by helping kids have the basic needs that help them grow up safe and happy each day.

if J Guy says it can be done-then it can!!

Every time I watch the video I am touched. We can make a difference. It’s not easy. But we can do it.

Thank you Second Harvest for taking the initiative to focus on our communities where hunger is a serious issue. At ICA Foodshelf in Minnetonka we have seen the numbers of families receiving food rise drastically, during the 2008 holiday season we had an increase of over 40% compared to 2007. This number continues to ring true for the first weeks in 2009. People need the foodshelf to make ends meet as their paychecks have been cut, hours decreased, rent increased and/or jobs lost. Please consider giving to your local foodshelf on monthly basis. Food is great; especially for children the tangible act of giving ‘something’ is important. For adult givers – we can stretch your dollars by purchasing from Second Harvest – one of our food banks. When we take care of our neighbors we create stable communities, lets do this together!

It is always hard to find things for groups of children to volunteer and to make a difference. This Monday, as part of a service project for the 6th graders at Woodbury Elementary, 90 students and families are helping to provide food for people internationally through Feed My Starving Children. Having this great opportunity for people of ALL ages has really helped us, help our community make a difference!

People think they have to do something big, but they don’t … even the smallest gestures, when compiled, make a huge difference. Did you know that with leveraged buying, one dollar you donate to a food shelf can buy $5 of food? Most of us are fortunate enough to be able to find one spare dollar this coming week …
I just came from a quick visit to my local foodshelf, and it was amazing to see the gratitude and kindness and appreciation of the people who were there, both the workers and the shoppers. It restores your faith in humanity on a local level.

I served as an emergency financial case manager for a food shelf in the west metro area for over two years. Even though the neighborhood was upscale there were many who required services and the situation of need has increased dramatically. The volunteers were wonderful, about 300 who would pack food. We have a tremendous need for greater distribution being many of the truly impoverished cannot reach many of the food shelves in the western metro because they are not on bus routes and gas vouchers have been cut by the state.
I highly encourage my readers when they go grocery shopping to pick up a bag for $5.00 or $10.00 that the local grocers already have prepacked. In my community a local Burger King sponsored a promotion to bring in 3 items for a food shelf and get a free whopper! Large corporate businesses need to be aware of the food waste that we the wealthiest, best feed nation in the world, allows to take place! We do much and yet there is so much more that can be done. Many elderly even in our city chose between paying for high priced medications and healthy nurishing food. Don’t get me wrong. Those who can afford to buy in bulk usually have extra freezer space and memberships to certain shopping clubs in the “burbs” where they receive great deals on large quantities. I emplore you who have this privilege to consider the less prestigous in our society, such as the elderly and marginalized next time you load up your carts. The face of hunger exists in America and I ask myself how can this be in our land that is the bread basket of the world?

I recently started volunteering with Second Harvest in a corporate research role. I couldn’t be more impressed with how innovative the organization is in finding ways to apply different skill sets, thinking not only of volunteer hours, but also of potential volunteer impact. I’m hoping to help Second Harvest make additional connections in the corporate community, and continuously refine how hunger data is presented in the corporate setting. Join up with the talent at Second Harvest!

I recently heard about a church that asks members to skip one meal per month and donate the cost of the skipped meal to a local food bank or food shelf.
With 1 out of 10 Minnesotans struggling to find enough food, the remaining 9 out of 10 of us could do a lot to sustain a solution. My family is going to try to start this as a tradition in the new year.

Each month I take a food box and “extras” like bread, veggies, and sometimes treats to three single ladies - all elderly - who live in North Minneapolis. With few grocery stores in the area, I wonder where they buy food. I wonder if they receive Food Support (food stamps) to stretch their resources. This month, when I take their boxes, I’m going to ask. If they’re willing, I’m going to help them enroll. There’s so much we can each do. I want to remember that programs don’t change people - relationships change people. What relationships can we all foster to end hunger in our community.

Thank you, reader, for viewing this blog. You must be concerned about ending hunger. Without your help, those of us that volunteer at food shelves across the state would not be able to help the hungry. With the economy worsening, your support is needed more than ever. Please read more about ways to help and always keep your local food shelf in mind. If you don’t have money to donate, they would be happy to have your time and help. Don’t hesitate to call today. Offering to volunteer at my local shelf was the most rewarding call I ever made.

Everyone of us who has enough to eat and doesn’tnow hunger MUST do soemthing for those are not so fortunate. Especially children, how can we let them remain hungery

Last month, I started a year-long commitment with Second Harvest MN to help distribute food boxes once a month. It is one of the most amazing experiences for me to witness the incredible gratitude each recipient expresses. They are proud and courageous people who deserve assistance. I am honored to support Second Harvest’s efforts.

The only wait to start fixing the economy is for us all to join together and help one another. In order for kids to function in schools and adults to function at work you need access to enough food/nutrition without the added stress of where will our next meal come from. We are hosting a soup/bake sale at work and hope to raise a lot of money for Second Harvest. We can all help in some way, big or small.

I serve with pride on the Board of Directors for Anoka Champlin Meals on Wheels. Hearing the stories of how our daily meal helps keep elderly in their homes living independently, having a nutritious meal and a visit helps me understand the value of food and nutrition for all of us.

I’m so proud that my church is opening a small food pantry for people in our congregation and are served through our Day Care.

People, if they can afford it, should add a few items in the shopping cart to help those in need. If people have time and a car, they should help deliver a meal.

We truly need each other in difficult times like we have right now.

As someone who has needed to visit foodshelves, I appreciate all the people who take the time, money and make the effort to lend a hand. I am proud to now be able to help make a difference.

Everyone needs to do what they can to stop hunger. It could happen to any of us.

I refuse to be defined by the weakened economy, and the pervasive feeling of doom. We can solve hunger by each of us taking a small, positive step. And I can do that.

Yes, We Can!

RSS feed for comments on this post.