Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin: Public welcome to kick off 19th annual NBC15 Share Your Holidays campaign

CONTACT: Kris Tazelaar, Communications Manager, Second Harvest Foodbank;
KrisT@shfbmadison.org; 608-216-7206

MADISON, Wis., October 7, 2014 – For 19 years the NBC15 Share Your Holidays to eliminate hunger campaign has been southwestern Wisconsin’s largest food/fund drive. To date more than 26 million meals have been raised since NBC15 Anchor Mike McKinney started the campaign in the parking lot of a local grocery store.

The public is invited to join Second Harvest, NBC15 and many community leaders on November 3 at the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM for the NBC15 Share Your Holidays Kick-Off Luncheon.
Hosted by NBC15, the event will feature Zach Brandon, President of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, speaking about the role businesses play in meeting the challenges of poverty, hunger and unemployment in our community.

Guests will also hear from Dan Stein, Second Harvest President/CEO, and Barbara McKinney, event founder Mike McKinney’s mother.
Individual tickets for the event are $40. Tables of 8 can be purchased for $300. $23 of each ticket is tax deductible. Seating is limited. For more details, see SecondHarvestMadison.org/KO. Tickets must be reserved by October 15 by calling Katie Ishmael at 608-216-7220.

About NBC15 Share Your Holidays to eliminate hunger

In its 19th year, the NBC15 Share Your Holidays to eliminate hunger campaign is the largest food/fund drive to help families and individuals facing hunger in southwestern Wisconsin, raising 26.33 million meals to date. In 2014, the campaign’s goal is to raise 2.7 million meals. The event is supported by many community partners: NBC15, Alliant Energy Foundation, Alliant Energy Center, American Family Insurance, Associated Bank, BMO Harris Bank, Chase, Dean Health Plan, First Weber Group Foundation, Inc., First Business, Food Fight Restaurant Group, Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison, Hy-Vee, iHeartMedia, John Deere Financial, Joseph Henricks Photography, Landmark Services Cooperative, M3 Insurance, Madison Area Chapter of Credit Unions, Metcalfe’s Market, Oscar Mayer / Kraft Foods, pc/nametag, Inc., Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc., Summit Credit Union, SVA Certified Public Accountants, TDS Telecommunications Corporation, Thrivent Financial – Central, East Dane & Columbia Chapters, Two Men and a Truck, UW Health & Unity Health Insurance, Valpak of Madison, Walmart – Southwestern Wisconsin Markets, Wells Fargo, Whole Foods Market Madison and Woodman’s Food Markets. For more information on NBC15 Share Your Holidays, visit SecondHarvestMadison.org/SYH.

About Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin

Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, southwestern Wisconsin’s largest hunger-relief organization, is a non-profit organization that is committed to ending hunger in 16 southwestern Wisconsin counties through community partnerships. By focusing on a multipronged approach that includes food distribution, increasing participation in public and private food programs, and mobilizing the public, it serves nearly 141,000 people who struggle with hunger each year; 43% of whom are children. From July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 Second Harvest Foodbank, together with its more than 225 partner agencies and programs, provided 12.6 million meals to those facing hunger. It is one of 200 members of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. For more information, visit SecondHarvestMadison.org.