ISLAND HARVEST LAUNCHES COIN HARVEST 2005 ~ Long Island Schools Help Feed the Hungry ~ Island Harvest - 02-09-2005
Mineola, New York ? Island Harvest, Long Island?s source authority on food rescue, announced the launch of Coin Harvest 2005, the 7th annual hunger awareness fundraising campaign implemented through Long Island schools. The funds raised support Island Harvest?s mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. It was also announced that Melville-based Arrow Electronics is the primary sponsor of Coin Harvest 2005.
Participating schools select a two-week period between February and May to take part in the campaign. Students who volunteer receive brown paper bags, the universal symbol of a school lunch, in which to collect coins from family and friends. In addition to posters, fliers and five-gallon collection drums, Island Harvest provides schools with educational materials that are incorporated into a hunger awareness curriculum. Coin Harvest helps students understand the hunger problem in their community and instills a sense of giving that hopefully will follow them through their lives.
It is estimated that over 40,000 children on Long Island go to bed hungry or are at risk of hunger every night. When students see how their small change translates into meals for hungry children and adults across Long Island, they really begin to understand the scope of how their actions positively affect their community.
?Students and adults alike are usually stunned to discover that it takes less than 25 cents for Island Harvest to rescue and deliver one pound of food,? said Randi Shubin Dresner, Executive Director of Island Harvest. ?This year, with the help of the students and faculty, we hope to increase the number of participating schools in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and surpass last year?s fundraising total.?
At the close of the campaign, Island Harvest tallies the donations and rewards the top three schools with the largest contribution. Last year?s top school, Hewlett Elementary, raised nearly $3000. One hundred percent of the proceeds support Island Harvest food rescue programs that service over 450 community-based, non-profit member agencies.
Island Harvest is able to operate the Coin Harvest as almost a zero-cost campaign, thanks to the generous support of corporate sponsors who contribute the goods and services. They include Arrow Electronics, Canon, Harrison Leifer DiMarco, the Herald Community Newspapers, NY Mets, Sunrise Check Cashing, KeySpan Foundation and UPS.
Schools wishing to participate in this year's Coin Harvest may contact Dee Doherty at (516) 294-8528.
About Island Harvest
Island Harvest, Long Island?s Source Authority on Food Rescue, serves as the bridge between those who have excess food and those who need it. Since 1992, Island Harvest has rescued 30 million pounds of food, which supplemented approximately 23 million meals. Equipped with a trained corps of dedicated volunteers coupled with over 500 commercial food establishments who donate excess food, Island Harvest rescues more than five million pounds of food each year, supplementing more than three million meals on Long Island. Island Harvest is also actively involved in disaster preparedness, educational and awareness programs in order to support the prevention of nutritious food from becoming waste. Island Harvest is a member of America?s Second Harvest. For more information about Island Harvest, visit www.islandharvest.org or call (516) 294-8528.
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For more information, please contact: Nicole Smith
Phone Number : (516) 536-6811
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