Second Harvest Heartland Urges 'Action' During Hunger Action Month

Bremer Bank issues Double Down Challenge to specifically encourage volunteering

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Aug 28, 2013, 10:30 ET

SAINT PAUL, Minn., Aug. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Second Harvest Heartland, one of the nation's largest, most efficient and most innovative food banks, is urging Minnesotans to take action against hunger during the month of September, which is Hunger Action Month. There are a variety of ways to get involved, from volunteering, to going orange, to advocating for those who are hungry.

Hunger Action Month is a nationwide effort by which the Feeding America Network of food banks unites to urge individuals to take action in their communities. As one of the 202 Feeding America members, Second Harvest Heartland is working to help create a movement that has a real and lasting impact on the effort to help end hunger in America.

According to Rob Zeaske, chief executive officer of Second Harvest Heartland, it's important to take the month of September to recognize that the need for hunger relief remains high and ways to help are many. "By donating your time, talent or resources, you can make a very real difference to a hungry neighbor who is struggling to gain stability during a tough time," he said. "We all can have a role to in getting food to those in need. Hunger Action Month presents a wonderful opportunity to partner with Second Harvest Heartland to take action against hunger together."

Throughout September, Second Harvest Heartland is asking its supporters to double their impact on hunger by volunteering. As part of Bremer Bank's Double Down Challenge, Bremer is donating $5 to Second Harvest Heartland for every volunteer hour donated, up to a total of 10,000 hours or $50,000.

On September 5, members of the community can "Go Orange," which is the color representing hunger relief. People can help raise awareness of the ongoing need for hunger relief in our community in a variety of ways, including wearing orange, lighting their home or business orange, dedicating their Facebook or Twitter page, or handing out oranges. The City of Minneapolis is participating for the second year in a row, officially proclaiming September as Hunger Action Month and, on September 5, lighting the I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River orange.

In addition, Second Harvest Heartland urges people to take the SNAP Challenge, which encourages participants to experience what life is like for millions of low-income Americans living on the average daily Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit of only $4.50 for food and beverages. Participants are urged to take the Challenge for a week and can visit 2harvest.org/ham for more information.

And through Second Harvest Heartland's "30 Ways in 30 Days" calendar, individuals and organizations can find one way for each day of the month to help fight hunger through advocacy, financial donations, food and fund drives, and more.

For more information about Hunger Action Month and how to get involved in the fight against hunger, visit 2harvest.org/ham.

About Second Harvest Heartland
Second Harvest Heartland is one of the nation's largest, most efficient and most innovative food banks. In 2012, we delivered more than 60 million meals to nearly 1,000 food shelves, pantries and other agency partner programs serving 59 counties in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Second Harvest Heartland helps relieve hunger not only by sourcing, warehousing and distributing food, but through data-driven thought leadership and community partnerships that help improve the region's larger hunger relief system. For more information, visit 2harvest.org or call 651.484.5117.

About Bremer Financial Corporation
Bremer Financial Corporation is a privately-held, $8.2 billion regional financial services company, jointly-owned by its employees and the Otto Bremer Foundation (OBF). Founded in 1943 by Otto Bremer, the company is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota and provides a comprehensive range of banking, investment, trust and insurance services to locations in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. OBF uses its share of dividends to distribute charitable grants to Bremer Bank communities. In 2012, more than $36 million in charitable donations were given across the Bremer footprint and employees donated more than 100,000 volunteer hours to their communities.