CN Tower to be lit green marking 25 years of Second Harvest's common-sense
approach to hunger

Members of the media invited to attend recognition event

TORONTO, April 13 /CNW/ - Second Harvest, a charitable food rescue organization that delivers fresh food to social service agencies in the GTA, is commemorating 25 years of rescuing excess, fresh food and delivering that food to those in need. Recognizing the many supporters who have helped along the way, Second Harvest will be hosting a recognition event on Thursday, April 15th at The 519 Church Street Community Centre. The event will pay tribute to supporters who have dedicated their time and efforts to serving the communities in which they live. In honour of Second Harvest's 25 years of serving the city, the CN Tower will light up green on Thursday at sunset.

Second Harvest's story began 25 years ago in 1985 with two Toronto women who saw excess food as a solution to the problem of hunger in our city. Using their hatchback car, they picked up fresh food from restaurants and dropped it off to social service agencies around Toronto. From this simple start - seven food donors and seven agencies - Second Harvest was born.

"Second Harvest has been with us since the very beginning. Today, their trucks drop off enough fresh food to feed 100 people at our drop-in Sunday program. They fill empty plates and empty stomachs with healthy nutritious food that would otherwise have gone to waste. We could not do our work without the help that Second Harvest provides," says Helen Rykens of The 519 Church Street Community Centre.

From a humble start of two women rescuing and delivering food around town, Second Harvest today receives food from 600 food donors, serves over 200 social service agencies, and delivers close to six million pounds of food each year.

"In the last 25 years, Second Harvest has made a significant difference in this city's fight against hunger. With seven trucks on the road, Second Harvest is tackling Toronto's food hunger crisis every day," says Stephen Faul, Executive Director, Second Harvest.

"As we mark our 25th anniversary, we would like to thank our volunteers and supporters who have helped feed those who are hungry in the GTA. Without them, we would not be able to serve those in need, to the extent that we have," adds Faul.

Members of the media are invited to attend. See the history of Second Harvest and hear from members of our community who have personally been affected by hunger.

    
    Thursday, April 15th 6:00PM
    The 519 Church Street Community Centre
    519 Church Street, 2nd Floor
    

About Second Harvest

Second Harvest is a charitable organization that takes a common-sense approach to hunger. We pick up donated, perishable food, which would otherwise go to waste, and deliver that food to over 200 social service agencies in the GTA. Last year, Second Harvest delivered almost 6 million pounds of food to feed those who are hungry in our city. Recognized for our efficiency and impact, independent research group Charity Intelligence named Second Harvest a CI Recommended Charity in 2009.

For further information: on Second Harvest please contact: Tonia Krauser, Manager of Communications, Second Harvest, [phone], [email protected], www.secondharvest.ca