MEDIA ADVISORY: Roger Mooking, Celebrity Chef and Recording Artist, Shines Light on Child Hunger in Toronto

Roger Mooking marks appointment as Second Harvest Ambassador, rides truck to rescue and deliver fresh, excess food to hungry kids across Toronto

TORONTO, Sept. 11, 2014 /CNW/ - Almost 40% of Second Harvest food recipients in Toronto are children/youth. Celebrity chef and recording artist Roger Mooking has partnered with Second Harvest to raise awareness of hungry kids in our city.

Last year, Second Harvest rescued and delivered nearly three million pounds of fresh, excess food to more than 30,000 children and youth in Toronto. That food is delivered to children's breakfast programs, afterschool programs, food banks, meal programs and family shelters. When children are nourished they enjoy better physical, mental and emotional health. They function better as students, family members, friends and community members. As a dedicated husband and father of four young girls, it is important to Roger that every child's body and soul is nourished.

"I am honoured to be working with such a passionate group of people who are dedicated to rescuing and delivering food to people in need", said Roger Mooking.

"People are so shocked to learn that in a city as flourishing and vibrant as Toronto, there is this incredible dichotomy - we have millions of pounds of perfectly good, excess food, that is destined for landfill, and thousands of hungry people who need food.  And it's equally jarring to learn that so many of those in need are children," said Debra Lawson, Executive Director. "Every day Second Harvest works to connect that good food with hungry kids and we're so delighted and grateful to have Roger Mooking onboard to help us ensure that no child goes hungry in the communities we serve."

To shine a light on child hunger in our city Roger will be riding a Second Harvest truck, rescuing and delivering fresh, excess food to hungry kids across the city. He will end the day delivering food to Second Harvest partner agency, The Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club Afterschool program in Regent Park.

When & Where:

Monday, September 15, 2014

8:00 a.m. – Roger Mooking starts the day at Second Harvest's warehouse
1450 Lodestar Rd, unit 18
Toronto, ON M3J 3C1

4:00 p.m. – Roger Mooking delivering excess food to kids afterschool program in Regent Park.
Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club, Miles and Kelly Nadal Youth Centre, Afterschool Program
101 Spruce St
Toronto, ON M5A 2J3

Photos & video:

• 8:00 a.m. – Roger boarding a Second Harvest truck and setting off for a day of food rescue around Toronto.
• 4:00 p.m. – Roger delivering fresh, excess food to kids in afterschool program in Regent Park.

Interviews:

• Roger Mooking, Celebrity Chef, Recording Artist, Second Harvest Ambassador
• Debra Lawson, Executive Director, Second Harvest

About Second Harvest

Established in 1985, Second Harvest is the largest food rescue charity in Canada. Second Harvest rescues excess, fresh food that would otherwise go to waste, and delivers that food to more than 200 social service agencies in Toronto, feeding people experiencing hunger.

SOURCE: Second Harvest

Tonia Krauser, Director of Communications, Second Harvest, 416-625-6774, [email protected]