Thanks to the generous support of local companies and individuals, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties has reached its Holiday Food and Fund Drive goals of $11.3 million and 1.6 million pounds of food. The holiday drive is a critical fundraiser for Second Harvest because the Food Bank raises nearly half its annual revenues during the holidays.
Jed York and Mike Klayko teamed up for a winning Holiday Food and Fund Drive season
“We are very grateful for the community and corporate support we received this year,” said Kathy Jackson, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “We were fortunate to have Brocade CEO Mike Klayko and 49ers President and CEO Jed York co-chairing the drive this year. Their leadership helped to make this a successful campaign. And of course the 49ers incredible winning streak didn’t hurt. We are very proud of the team.”
While donations to the campaign slowed in November, causing some concern, the last-minute flood of support from the community in December and early January made it possible for Second Harvest to achieve its fundraising goals.
Donations raised during the holidays will be used to feed hungry people in the coming months. Second Harvest is seeing unprecedented need due to the economy. The number of people the Food Bank serves has increased nearly 50 percent since the recession started in 2007. Second Harvest provides food to nearly 250,000 people every month – that’s one in 10 people in the two-county region.
The Holiday Food and Fund Drive is critical because nothing else matters when you’re hungry – you can’t concentrate, you can’t learn, you can’t work, you can’t get through the day. Nutritious food is the cornerstone of a healthy, productive life.
Second Harvest Food Bank thanks every individual, company, school and organization that participated in the Holiday Food and Fund Drive by donating, hosting a drive or volunteering. Thank you for giving what matters.
