IT STARTED 30 YEARS AGOIt started with an idea: a desire to help with the hunger problem in this country. Two years and many breakfast meetings at Howard Johnsons later, Southern Wisconsin Regional Foodbank, Inc. — later renamed Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin — was born. At least that’s how Kent Carnell, one of five Second Harvest Founders, remembers it.

Even after hearing that Madison didn’t need a food bank at the time from a prominent local human services nonprofit organization, our Founders pressed on. “We just kept putting our left foot in front of our right to keep growing because it was a very good concept,” says Carnell.

In March of 1986, the food bank moved into a former pizza place, primarily because it had built in refrigerator and freezer space. That first year they distributed 300,000 pounds of food mainly in Dane County and the Janesville area.

When asked what the Founders hoped to accomplish when they started the food bank, Carnell responded, “At first we didn’t know.” But what they did have were people who, “one, had an interest in getting something done, and two had the expertise needed to help.”

Soon the food bank outgrew the original facility. Thanks to donated land, financing, and a creative way to take advantage of Community Block Grant money, the existing building was built. Ten years later the building was expanded to its current structure.

Why hunger? In the 1970s, Mr. Carnell had been on the Board of the Salvation Army for a number of years, even running a homeless shelter. He became interested in people who had needs, whether homelessness or hunger. “I thought it was important for our society to figure out how to help,” says Carnell.

“I’m not sure it has,” is Carnell’s response to whether or not society’s attitude toward hunger and poverty has changed in the last 30 years. “The majority of people see our country as very prosperous so hunger isn’t a problem, or if it is it’s only the very impoverished inner-city type people. You know, and I know, that that’s not the case. Hunger is everywhere. If people aren’t engaged and understand (hunger), I don’t think they realize how much hunger there is in this country.”

As for Second Harvest, “the biggest change is just more employees doing more to make the organization good. It’s much more business-like – it’s bigger, it’s growing, it does a lot more than we could do initially in terms of getting out to other areas of our territory.”

Thinking back over the last 30 years of helping the people of southwestern Wisconsin, Carnell’s response is poignant. “I’ve been practicing law for over 45 years, and probably the thing I am most proud of in my career is starting the food bank. It means that much to me. I think it’s an outstanding organization. I’m pleased I was part of founding it. I’m very pleased to see the direction and growth it’s had since I left. It’s just fantastic.”

Our thanks go out to Kent Carnell, the other Founders, and everyone who has helped us get to where we are today. After providing more than 100 million meals to people facing hunger our work is not done, but the legacy they have helped build is profound.

“Hunger is everywhere . . . I don’t think they realize how much

hunger there is in this country.”

Since 1986, Second Harvest has served people facing hunger in southwestern Wisconsin. 30 years later, despite providing over 100 million meals over that time, there is still much to do.

A lot has changed over the last 30 years. Besides distributing more food than ever before, we’re also adding new programs and forging new community partnerships that will help us tackle hunger in new ways in the years to come. Plus, we have shifted our focus from just getting more food out to getting more NUTRITIOUS food out to those we serve.

Recent studies make a clear connection between having access to enough healthy food and long-term chronic health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes and behavioral problems in children. So many health issues are preventable with proper nutrition and diet, only reinforcing the idea of food as medicine.

We thank you for your trust and support as we continue to evolve and meet the needs of men, women, and children. Each day is a struggle for many and we pledge to be there to assist, thanks to you.

P.S. Thanks to supporters like you, we were able to meet our goal of raising 3 million

meals during the 2015 NBC15 Share Your Holidays campaign, bringing our 20-year total to more than 33 million meals! There aren’t enough words to adequately express my thanks to everyone who makes Share Your Holidays possible!

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK

Business Hours:Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Agency Food Distribution Hours:Mon.–Thurs. 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m.Friday 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

Foodbank Tours:Linda Murray • 608-216-7221LindaM@shfbmadison.org

Don’t want to get the newsletter?Katie Ishmael• 608-216-7220KatieI@shfbmadison.org

Ken Dickson Johnson Bank, ChairmanMark Thompson Alliant Energy, Vice ChairmanVicki VillacrezTDS Telecom, Inc., TreasurerDale Henricks Community Volunteer, SecretaryJim Frusciante Kraft HeinzAaron Girard Seneca Foods Inc.

Luke Hutchins J. H. Findorff and SonSusan Noble Vernon Economic Development AssociationTracy Smith Dane County – UW ExtensionBill Stroner Stroner Advisory GroupMargaret Utterback Quarles & Brady LLPBill WestrateAmerican Family Insurance

Board of Directors

SERVING SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN FOR 30 YEARS

UPCOMING EVENTS…

Million Pound Challenge. Through April 30, individuals, groups and organizations are raising food for our community members struggling with hunger! For every exercise hour or pound of weight loss, 10 pounds of food—up to one million pounds—will be donated to Second Harvest and our emergency food pantry partners, courtesy of the Princeton Club. There’s no cost to participate or obligation to join a health club. Learn more at SecondHarvestMadison.org/MPC.

Check Off Hunger. Through April 15, turn tax time into dinner time with a donation to the state’s Second Harvest/Feeding America food banks while filing your Wisconsin income taxes.

Adopt-a-Dairy-Cow. Give back…give dairy! Help Second Harvest provide a nutrient-rich, yet rarely donated product to those we serve. Which of our “sassy” cows will you adopt? Visit GiveDairy.com!

Hunger’s Hope Radiothon is on March 10! Gifts made during the Hunger’s Hope Radiothon will be doubled by Genesis Painting and Biosentinel, Inc. Just call toll-free 844-8HUNGER (844-848-6437) on March 10 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. to have your gift doubled!

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Thank you to our generous sponsors, donors, and other supporters throughout southwestern Wisconsin. Our 20th anniversary NBC15 Share Your Holidays to eliminate hunger campaign raised more meals than ever before: 3.5 million meals!

As campaign founder Mike McKinney said, “The reason why Share Your Holidays is so amazing is because it not only puts food in people’s homes, but it also gives those people who may be going through a dark time…some light. Who may feel a sense of despair…hope. And more importantly, it shows that people care…that this community cares.”

Thank you for caring and sharing to make sure our neighbors struggling with hunger had meals this holiday season.

We are grateful to you and the following generous sponsors who made the 2015 NBC15 Share Your Holidays campaign possible:

THANK YOU FOR SHARING AND CARING

DIAMOND

TM

PLATINUM

GOLD

Silver: Associated Bank, Dental Health Associates of Madison, Ltd., Kraft Heinz Company, Studio Gear†Bronze: Blue Tree Network, BMO Harris Bank, Chase, Colony Brands, Inc., First Business, First Weber Foundation, Inc., Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison, Ho-Chunk Gaming WI Dells, John Deere Financial, M3 Insurance, pc/nametag, Inc., Summit Credit Union, SVA Certified Public Accountants, Wells Fargo, ZendeskParticipating†: Food Fight Restaurant Group, Hy-Vee, iHeartMedia, Joseph Henricks Photography, Madison Area Chapter of Credit Unions, Metcalfe’s Market, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc., TDS Telecommunications Corporation, Valpak of Madison, Whole Foods Market Madison, Woodman’s Food Markets TV Mike’s Miracle Minute: American Family Insurance, American Transmission Co., BMO Harris Bank, CDW, CUNA Mutual Group, CUNA Strategic Services, Findorff, Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co., Chris Vandeberg & Modern Woodmen, National Guardian Life, OfficeSupply.com, RBC Wealth Management, Smith & Gesteland, Summit Credit Union, Sweet DeMarb LLC, TDS Telecommunications Corporation, Wollersheim Winery & DistilleryRadio Mike’s Miracle Hour: Physicans Plus and Meriter, Wirtz Beverage WisconsinFood/Fund Drive Coordinator Training: American Family InsuranceGrand Finale Hospitality Suite: Clasen Quality Coatings, Inc.Grand Finale Sort-a-thon: Naviant, IncKick-Off Luncheon: Kwik Trip, Inc.Social Media Blitz: Naviant, IncVirtual Food Drive: Delta Dental of Wisconsin† In-kind sponsor*Food donor

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SECOND HARVEST IS MORE THAN FOOD DISTRIBUTION

2016 will be Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin’s 30th year helping people in southwestern Wisconsin who struggle with hunger. Over the years, the way we help end hunger has gone beyond food distribution. Today, we are ending hunger in a number of ways. Take a look:

As you can see, thanks to your ongoing support, Second Harvest does so much more than provide food.

Beyond food distribution, we also help start or grow existing emergency food programs and promote government food assistance programs.

o FoodShare Outreach: FoodShare (formerly known as food stamps) is the most efficient way to provide emergency food assistance to those struggling to make ends meet. Our FoodShare Outreach Specialists help by explaining the benefits and eligibility requirements of the program and by providing application assistance to potential clients.

o HungerCare Coalition: Second Harvest has convened a group of dedicated health professionals to help healthcare providers understand the health impacts of hunger and recognize the signs of food insecurity, and we’re making them aware of local food resources for their patients facing hunger.

In fiscal year 2015, we distributed 14 million pounds of food through our partner agencies in 16 southwestern Wisconsin counties, thanks in part to the following programs:

o Field to Foodbank: Through numerous partnerships we’re helping fruit and vegetable farmers put excess or slightly blemished product on the tables of those facing hunger.

o Food Rescue: Every week Second Harvest picks up fruits, vegetables, dairy, bakery, and frozen meat that is near the end of its shelf-life from area grocery and convenience stores, and delivers what passes our thorough inspection to local hunger-relief agencies.

o Mobile Pantries: Second Harvest works with local agencies to bring in a temporary, mobile food pantry to help meet the need left unmet by existing emergency food resources.

o Kids Cafe: Kids Cafe programs provide free meals, snacks, nutrition education and academic and recreational activities to at-risk children.

o School Food Pantries: Schools are at the center of activity in our communities. Now they are also becoming a source of food for struggling families.

One of the essential elements in our effort to end hunger in southwestern Wisconsin is to make sure people are aware that hunger exists in our community. We do this by being visible in the communities we serve, raising awareness through traditional and non-traditional media each year, and helping with hundreds of local food/fund drives in the area.

Second Harvest recently received a $50,000 investment from Alliant Energy to support our Rock County Mobile Pantries. “Looking out for our neighbors is important,” said Patricia Kampling, Alliant Energy’s Chairman, President and CEO. “Second Harvest is a great partner for a donation of this magnitude – which in turn, means so much to so many people.” We are incredibly grateful for the long-term partnership between Alliant Energy and Second Harvest to solve problems, create opportunities, and help make the communities we both serve better.

Making Life Better

Food Distribution

Mobilizing the Public

Promotion of Food Programs