Working Together
   to end hunger and malnutrition
  Survey Says...
Thanks to everyone who answered our last survey and provided feedback on this newsletter. Your input is really helpful to us!

This month we have a short quiz about CalFresh, California's version of SNAP (formerly known as food stamps). Think you know the basics? Test your knowledge here! Answers are at the end.
Second Harvest Sends
A Message to Washington

Last week, Second Harvest hit the Hill—Capitol Hill—to send a message to legislators about the food assistance programs that help so many of our neighbors in Santa Cruz County and across the nation.

We joined advocacy and research groups, service providers, and dozens of other community food banks, fanning out across House and Senate office buildings to deliver a unified message:  protect and strengthen SNAP and the other food safety net programs which are a lifeline for so many children, working families, vets, elderly, and more.

These programs face continual challenges to their existence. Some in Congress want to turn SNAP (or ”CalFresh,” in California) into a block grant, which would remove the national commitments and protections contained in the program and would likely cut access to it entirely by millions of families and individuals.

We also spoke out for other programs which fill the gaps in food and nutrition for those who need it, with alphabet-soup acronyms like TEFAP, WIC, and CACFP.

Second Harvest Senior Communications and Analytics Director Chris Ryan met with the new Congressman from California’s 20th district, Jimmy Panetta, whose  read more...

Food bankers and food policy advocates talking strategy before hitting Capitol Hill
Video - Day of Action
On Monday, Second Harvest staff took a break from our regular work for a "Day of Action," dedicated to reaffirming positive values of collaboration and community. We got together and packed food, called our legislators, thanked our donors, and more.

Check out the video of staff in the sort room packing "bonus bags" of food and staples. And if you want to come and help out some time, we always need sort room volunteers--that's how we get our donated food sorted and packed to go out to our programs and partner agencies across the county! Just email Bly.

See the video on Facebook or YouTube.

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Upcoming Events
March 16, 2017
March Business Mixer
The Pajaro Valley Chamber's March Business Mixer will be held at Second Harvest! Come see our operations and mingle with other community members at this St. Patrick's-themed event. Beer and wine, appetizers, and raffle prizes.

Contact Shaz with questions, and don't forget to wear yer green!
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Recent Events
Annual Awards Dinner

At our Annual Awards Dinner last Wednesday night, Second Harvest gave thanks to all the organizations, schools, businesses, and agencies that helped achieve our goal of 4.5 million meals raised during the Holiday Food & Fund Drive, and who support our work throughout the year.

Here are just a few pics; you can see the full gallery of photos here.

Sip for Second Harvest

Our second Sip for Second Harvest was even better than the first. Thanks to the wineries, volunteers, staff, and guests for helping raise 40,092 healthy meals for people in need in Santa Cruz County!  See the full gallery of photos here.

Take Advantage of the
Spring Match!
Second Harvest Food Bank already turns each dollar donated into 4 healthy meals, and this Spring, thanks to a matching gift from Mary Solari, each dollar is going twice as far, up to $25,000.

Donate to our Spring Matching Campaign supporting our Food For Children program and know that we’ll turn every dollar you donate into 8 healthy meals. Those meals help people get back on their feet, giving parents and families the strength to face life’s daily challenges and giving children the energy to learn, providing nutrition, opportunity, and community.

Take advantage of the Spring Matching Campaign, now through April 15. Visit www.thefoodbank.org/donate or talk to Clyde at 831-722-7110, ext. 210.
New in the Food Bank Cookbook