Media Inquiries
Contact Alison Griffin, Director of Communications
agriffin@2harvest.org
815-814-5400
or
Bellmont Partners
2harvest@bellmontpartners.com
Phone: 612-255-1108
Learn more
Hear stories from our hungry neighbors and join us in creating a sustainable support system so no one in our community goes hungry.
Press Room
Join us for our next press event: Thursday, March 25 at 9 a.m.
Join Second Harvest Heartland for a panel discussion with a crew of its frontline hunger fighters as they reflect on the last year, how procedures had to rapidly change, what kept them hopeful and how the community can help them continue the important work. Register here for this virtual event.
In the News
A sampling of recent media stories about hunger, Second Harvest Heartland and our partners
- 4/14/2022 'Taste like home': Food program offers free, culturally specific meals for people in need
- 4/7/2022 Second Harvest Heartland Sees Big Need for Volunteers
- 4/7/2022 How Allison O’Toole Of Second Harvest Heartland Is Helping To Address The Growing Challenge Of Food Insecurity
- 4/1/2022 Neighbors in need: Inflation squeezes Minnesota food banks
- 3/17/2022 Second Harvest Heartland encourages Minnesotans to support neighborhood food shelves during FoodShare
- 2/12/2022 How Inflation Slammed the Hungry—and the Food Banks That Help Them
- 1/15/2022 Twin Cities nonprofits face critical shortages of volunteers amid omicron surge
- 1/2/2022 America’s Hunger Pandemic Is Getting Worse
- 12/21/2021 Minnesota family explains how food shelf visits help them get through to the "next payday"
- 12/16/2021 Minnesota Central Kitchen reaches 2 million meals, dishing up food for people in need
- 11/24/2021 Supply chain woes, rising costs put stress on food shelves ahead of holidays
- 11/24/2021 Food banks see ‘perfect storm’ of high demand, inflation and supply chain shortages heading into Thanksgiving holiday
- 11/18/2021 Supply chain concerns, increasing inflation place burden on food shelves
- 10/31/2021 ‘Stick By Our Side’: Food Shelves Urge Communities To Donate Heading Into Holidays
- 10/26/2021 M Health Fairview to convert St. Joseph’s Hospital into wellness hub, community clinic
- 9/23/2021 Second Harvest Heartland hosts discussion on racial hunger divide
- 8/13/2021 Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, local leaders discuss food security in Brooklyn Park
- 8/4/2021 Minneapolis College works with Minnesota Central Kitchen to curb food insecurity among college students
- 6/30/2021 New Hudson food bank aims to meet growing need for food in western Wisconsin
- 5/6/2021 New Oakdale market will provide free food by 'rescuing' it from grocery stores
Read More
- 3/26/2021 Twin Cities restaurants fight food insecurity — even as their industry struggles
- 2/23/2021 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota announces first-of-its-kind dietary support for high-risk pregnant women and their families
- 2/21/2021 Rural Minnesota and Wisconsin food shelves surprisingly see dip in visitors, but food stamp use is increasing
- 2/5/2021 Amid huge demand, food shelves urge people to seek help
- 1/21/2021 Over 1 Million Fresh Meals Provided Through Minnesota Central Kitchen
- 12/7/2020 Millions of hungry Americans turn to food banks for the first time
- 11/24/2020 As food banks gear up for the holiday season, warehouse throughput is key
- 11/24/2020 ‘We just have to hang in there’: Holidays means more relying on food shelves to keep families fed
- 11/20/2020 Minnesotans donate in records numbers to Give to the Max
- 11/18/2020 Hunger crisis grows as winter arrives - Second Harvest Heartland looking for support
- 11/17/2020 Second Harvest Heartland halts volunteer operations until mid-January
- 11/13/2020 Charities Say Need For Giving Higher Than Ever This Holiday Season
- 11/5/2020 Hennepin County backs Minnesota Central Kitchen as COVID-19 hunger crisis grows
- 10/21/2020 Minnesota Central Kitchen, LEAFF, and the Great Minnesota Pandemic Agriculture Pivot
- 9/20/2020 Minnesota food banks say hunger crisis lies ahead
- 9/6/2020 Minnesota nonprofits plead for more help as hunger crisis surges
- 9/4/2020 Securing the World’s Food Safety-Net as Hunger Surges
- 9/2/2020 Workers keeping Americans fed are going hungry in the heartland
- 7/16/2020 Pandemic assistance application for free lunch eligible students open through July 31
- 6/24/2020 Data: Minnesota Will See Increase in Food Insecurity
- 6/24/2020 New data project a Great Depression-level surge in hunger by fall in Minnesota
- 6/18/2020 Sean Sherman’s Sioux Chef will soon make 400 hot meals a day for the hungry
- 6/15/2020 Minnesota pork producers, UMN partner on ground pork donation
- 4/22/2020 Second Harvest Heartland partners with Sanneh Foundation to deliver fresh food to St. Paul
- 4/20/2020 Second Harvest adapts to meet growing MN food shelf needs, coronavirus challenges
- 3/19/2020 Second Harvest Heartland packs emergency food boxes during COVID-19 outbreak
- 3/18/2020 Minnesota restaurants are closed, but their cooks are still feeding those in need
- 3/18/2020 Quieted Kitchens Turn From Feeding Customers to Making Meals for Food Shelf
- 3/15/2020 Minnesota charities ramp up efforts to fight hunger amid coronavirus concerns
- 1/19/2020 How will Trump changes to food stamps affect MN? Tens of thousands will see cuts or lose aid
- 12/4/2019 Thousands of Minnesotans caught up in federal push to tighten work requirements for food aid
- 11/27/2019 Second Harvest Heartland's 'Food Rescue' helps to feed others
- 10/24/2019 Minnesota Vikings receiver Adam Thielen, renowned NFL shoe artist work together for charity
- 7/28/2019 12,000 Minnesotans could lose food stamps if federal rules tightened
- 7/24/2019 MN Hunger-relief organizations react to proposed cuts to SNAP
- 6/09/2019 Central Minnesota's growing efforts to feed hungry children over the summer
- 6/07/2019 An innovative app helps Minnesota companies get leftover food to people in need
- 4/18/2019 Second Harvest Heartland to drop candy, soda donations in favor of healthier foods
- 4/1/2019 Breakfast After the Bell will serve up student success
- 3/18/2019 Minnesota food bank Second Harvest Heartland turns shipping container into lettuce farm
- 1/8/2019 Former MNsure CEO Allison O’Toole to lead Second Harvest Heartland
- 12/22/2018 Christmas season highlights our paradox of plenty
- 10/05/2018 Food Banks Reap Unexpected Bounty From Trade Disputes
- 4/23/2018 Neighbors in Need
- 4/19/2018 Rob Zeaske: Smart state spending on hunger solutions makes sense now
- 3/13/2018 Second Harvest Heartland Seeks $18M for New Facility
- 3/2/2018 Appetites: Legislators announce bipartisan effort to fight child hunger
- 1/30/2018 Super Bowl LII Will Be The First Zero-Waste Big Game
- 1/15/2018 Minnesotans Honor Life, Legacy Of MLK Through ‘Bring A Child To Serve Day
- 11/18/2017 CentraCare, Second Harvest prescribing food as medicine
- 11/16/2017 It’s Give To The Max Day
- 10/03/2017 Caterpillar Foundation Investment in Second Harvest Heartland to Help Fight Hunger for More than 532,000 People in 59 Counties
- 9/27/2017 Vikings Players Pack Meals for Seniors
- 7/24/2017 Second Harvest Heartland Receives $50,000 Grant from the Walmart Foundation to Support SNAP Education and Outreach
- 6/21/2017 Metro Transit, Second Harvest Heartland promote free summer meals
- 5/13/2017 Minnesota Mail Carriers Working To ‘Stamp Out Hunger’
- 5/07/2017 Vikings, Second Harvest Heartland and Land O'Lakes Team Up for Taste of the Vikings
- 4/27/2017 DISH fundraiser for Second Harvest Heartland
- 4/08/2017 Second Harvest Heartland's DISH
- 3/23/2017 Wal-Mart distribution center a major food donor
- 1/14/2017 Food stamp enrollment swells among elderly Minnesotans
- 12/14/2016 The United States Conference of Mayors Hunger and Homelessness Survey
- 12/13/2016 America's dirty little secret: 42 million people are suffering from hunger
- 11/21/2016 Helping To Feed All This Thanksgiving
- 11/19/2016 5 Minnesota celebrities who use star power to give back to community
- Sep/Oct 2016 Minnesota Medicine – Health Foodies
- 9/15/2016 KSTP – Second Harvest Heartland Launches 'Food Prescription' Pilot Program
- 9/14/2016 Deschutes Street Pub raises over $104,000 for Second Harvest Heartland
- 7/31/2016 KSTP – Inside Your Health Special: Food as Medicine
- 3/07/2016 Community Commons – Minnesota Gets Healthier with The Food Shelf
- 11/26/2015 KSTP – People Flirting With Poverty Driving Demand for Services in Minnesota
- 11/13/2015 Pioneer Press – Nonprofits relish Give to the Max generosity
- 8/24/2015 Pioneer Press – Farmers' extra produce goes to hungry families
- 7/17/2015 MPR News – Twin Cities suburban poor outnumber those in urban core
- 9/04/2014 WCCO – Second Harvest Heartland Kicks Off Hunger Action Month
- 8/28/2014 Chanhassen Villager – Food for thought from Bountiful Basket board of directors
- 8/14/2014 Star Tribune – What I learned when I didn’t avert my gaze
- 8/11/2014 SCTimes – Foley nonprofit gives away fruit, vegetables
- 4/30/2014 Minnesota Public Radio – Minnesota hunger relief program for seniors launches
- 4/11/2014 USA Today/USA Weekend – Faces of hunger
- 3/05/2014 Star Tribune – Food Shelves try to create shopping experience
Press Releases
- 10/19/2021 Second Harvest Heartland Announces Five New Board Members, Including Minnesota Timberwolves Head Coach Chris Finch
- 3/4/2021 Statement on Derek Chauvin Trial
- 1/22/2021 Statement on Biden Administration Executive Orders
- 11/17/2020 Second Harvest Heartland Halting Volunteer Operations Until At Least Mid-January
- 7/20/2020 Free summer meals for Minnesota kids in the age of COVID-19
- 6/24/2020 Spurred by COVID-19 Pandemic, Hunger in Minnesota Expected to Surge to Great Depression Era Levels Starting in July
- 6/15/2020 Minnesota Pig Farmers and University of Minnesota Partner on Ground Pork Donation
- 6/17/2020 The Sioux Chef Joins Minnesota Central Kitchen to Fight New Twin Cities Food Deserts
- 4/27/2020 Surly Brewing Co. signs on as KitchenPartner to support Minnesota Central Kitchen Hunger Relief
- 4/27/2020 Second Harvest Heartland Doubles SNAP Outreach Capacity During COVID-19 Pandemic
- 4/7/2020 Second Harvest Heartland Doubles Down on Support for Minnesota Seniors During COVID-19 Pandemic and Senior Hunger Awareness Month
- 3/17/2020 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota commits $750,000 to Second Harvest Heartland
- 3/17/2020 Second Harvest Heartland, Loaves & Fishes and Twin Cities Restaurants Teaming Up to Feed Community in Midst of Coronavirus Outbreak
- 3/13/2020 Second Harvest Heartland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Read More
- 09/23/2019 Second Harvest Heartland and the Otto Bremer Trust Look to Make a Greater Impact on Hunger Relief with $3 million Program-Related Investment
- 08/13/2019 STATEMENT: Hunger-relief Partners Statement on Proposed Changes to Public Charge Rule
- 07/23/2019 STATEMENT: Local Hunger Leaders Oppose SNAP Cuts
- 05/11/2019 ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Saturday, May 11 during largest single-day food drive in country
- 04/18/2019 Second Harvest Heartland Announces Healthy Foods Policy
- 03/19/2019 Second Harvest Heartland Breaking Ground on Brooklyn Park Hunger-Relief Campus
- 03/14/2019 Second Harvest Heartland and Child Hunger Coalition Host Press Conference to Introduce Breakfast After the Bell Bill
- 01/14/2019 Second Harvest Heartland and Bremer Bank Host 7th Annual ‘Bring Your Child to Serve Day’
- 01/08/2019 Second Harvest Heartland Announces Allison O’Toole as New CEO
- 11/15/2019 Second Harvest Heartland hosting 2nd annual ‘Pack to the Max’ for volunteers on Give to the Max Day, Nov. 15
- 10/3/2018 Second Harvest Heartland Concerned with Public Charge Changes
- 5/10/2018 Stamp Out Hunger’ Saturday, May 12 during largest single-day food drive in country
- 2/13/2018 Callous Cuts to Anti-Hunger Programs Out of Touch with Minnesota Values
- 2/05/2018 Second Harvest Heartland Appoints Thierry Ibri as Chief Operations and Program Officer
- 12/12/2017 Second Harvest Heartland Urges Lawmakers to “Vote No” on Federal Tax Bill
- 11/09/2017 Second Harvest Heartland Announces Four New Board Members
- 6/15/2017 Second Harvest Heartland Receives $87,500 Gift to Support Senior Nutrition Programs
- 5/31/2017 Farm to Food Shelf Program Connects Hungry Minnesotans with Fresh, Farm-Grown Food
- 5/01/2017 Second Harvest Heartland Asks Minnesotans to 'Stamp Out Hunger' Saturday, May 13
- 3/20/2017 Second Harvest Heartland Recognizes Six Minnesota Organizations as 2017 Hunger Heroes
- 1/27/2017 “Let’s Kick Hunger Day” Radiothon Surpasses $1.7 Million in Total Donations for Local Hunger Relief
- 12/12/2016 Second Harvest Heartland Announces Five New Board Members
- 10/20/2016 Second Harvest Heartland Receives Morgan Stanley Grant to Expand Program Delivering Nutritious Meals to Children and Families
- 10/13/2016 Current and Former Vikings Players Joining UnitedHealthCare Employees For Food-Packing Volunteer Project
- 9/08/2016 Second Harvest Heartland to Launch FOODRx Initiative Sept. 15
- 5/14/2016 Minnesotans to “Fill a Bag; Feed a Family” and Stamp Out Hunger on Saturday, May 14
- 3/24/2016 Second Harvest Heartland Announces 2016 Hunger Hero Awards
- 1/14/2016 Second Harvest Heartland Teams with Bremer Bank to Encourage Youth Volunteerism with “Bring Your Child to Serve Day”
- 10/26/2015 Second Harvest Heartland Announces New Board Members and Officers for 2016 Fiscal Year
- 10/21/2015 Second Harvest Heartland Encourages Minnesotans to Provide Hope this Holiday Season
- 9/22/2015 Golf Outing Surpasses $2 Million Raised for Area Food Banks
- 8/10/2015 Second Harvest Heartland Receives Three Grants from Walmart Foundation
- 3/02/2015 Minneapolis Chamber announces winners of 2015 Best in Business Awards
- 4/08/2014 Second Harvest Heartland Named 2014 Member Food Bank of the Year
- 4/04/2014 Second Harvest Heartland Announces 2014 Hunger Heroes
For all media inquiries and to request press releases from earlier than 2014, email agriffin@2harvest.org.
Media Inquiries
Contact Alison Griffin, Director of Communications
agriffin@2harvest.org
815-814-5400
or
Bellmont Partners
2harvest@bellmontpartners.com
Phone: 612-255-1108
Learn more
Hear stories from our hungry neighbors and join us in creating a sustainable support system so no one in our community goes hungry.
Awards
- 2018 Most Admired CEOs: Rob Zeaske, Second Harvest Heartland – September 2018
- Best in Business Awards – from the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce – March 2015
- Feeding America Food Bank of the Year – April 2014
- City Pages “Best Nonprofit in the Twin Cities” – April 2014
- Feeding America/Cargill Food Safety Award Recipient – September 2014
- Rob Zeaske, Second Harvest Heartland CEO, named Minnesota Agri-Growth Council 2013 Distinguished Service Award Winner – November 2013
Most Recent Blog Posts
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Meet the Team Helping to Keep Food Distributions Safe and Accessible!
Our Agency Relations team, who works directly with food shelf and community partners, has an in-house Compliance team, helping partners prioritize health and safety at every step of the hunger-relief journey. Get to know our Agency Relations' Compliance team members.
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Why Schools Across Minnesota Are Essential to Ending Child Hunger
Meeting kids and families where they are is an effective way to combat hunger, and schools have an important role to play when it comes to connecting families to reliable, healthy foods. With summer months fast approaching, schools will continue to play a vital role to ensure that kids have access to meals even when school is not in session.