The '1 of 52' Hunger Network Newsletter
Volume #20 March, 2009 by Stephen M. Maciel, President, End Hunger Foundation, Inc. 501(c)(3), Founder '1 of 52' Hunger Network
1-401-368-1325, endhunger@cox.net, www.1of52.net
175 Hazard Rd. W. Greenwich, RI 02817
Hi & welcome to our 20th '1 of 52' Hunger Network Newsletter.
Our new website address; www.1of52.net, is now live.*
It's been a real labor of love to get up-and-running. An old computer with outdated browser and software, and being only mildly tech-savvy, all led to a long process. It started when AOL suddenly decided they no longer hosted websites and our site disappeared overnight. For now, I've managed to get the old, site back up a newer spiffy one is in the works. The new address will greatly improve search engine optimization which will bring rapid advancement with our goal to have '1 of 52' Chapters in every state.
We welcome your links, stories and hunger event listings to update the newly launched site. *Please change any links you may have because there is no redirect from the previous site. If you do not have us linked to your site yet, please consider doing so. Helping us spread our concept is one of the strongest actions you can take as a '1 of 52' member.
We've been very busy working behind the scenes and within the system to effect change on a local level, and to set up pilot programs to duplicate at national levels. Much of our work lately has been within a realm of connecting local business and venues to hunger related issue in significant ways. We've been working from the ground up on economic development issues within the realm of Tourism, Hospitality, Arts & Entertainment industry and their related businesses. Here's a link to an article we had published in Providence Business News to illustrate: http://www.pbn.com/detail/40498.html.
We've also had a press release published recently calling on the Obama administration to make the first bold act of mending the economy to end hunger in America. Article linked here: http://www.valleybreeze.com/Premium/EDIT-end-hunger-can-clone.
Another initiative with regional to national implications that's unfolding locally with our help is the Hunger Task Force. I serve on their committee representing the '1 of 52' Hunger Network. This task force is a collaboration between the URI Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America and the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale. They are implementing actions that not only have a direct impact on the local community, they are setting them up to be replicated.
On Wednesday, March 11th at 7pm at the Peace Dale Congregational Church, 261 Columbia St, Peace Dale, RI, the Hunger Task Force is hosting their 3rd Annual Community Conversation on Hunger and Food Insecurity. Andrew Schiff, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, along with elected representatives will share information regarding local and national hunger efforts. If you are in the Southeastern New England area, please consider attending. This is an important conversation about bringing hunger to an end in the only place it can possibly come to an end: the community. RSVP with Dr. Kathleen Gorman at URI at 401-874-5145 or email skhfree@etal.uri.edu.
I'd like to address the fact here that I've had numerous great offers lately to take advantage of fantastic events and programs from our membership. And usually, my knee-jerk reaction is usually to say "yes, we'd love to"! All too often, though, the reality of the lack of time and personal restraints prevent me from taking advantage of even a fraction of these wonderful opportunities. Thank you for all the offers, and with best intentions, we'll become involved whenever possible. Though, in the final analysis, and in the spirit of our '1 of 52' concept, this is certainly not about what I do - It's ALL about what YOU do. Continue to take action in the name of being '1 of 52' - forge on! We ARE making a difference!
Important Notice: The Feinstein Foundation has just announced their 2009 12th Annual &1 Million Dollar Give-a-way to fight hunger. Please visit fellow '1 of 52' member Alan Shawn Feinstein's website at www.feinsteinfoundation.org to learn how you can maximize fundraising efforts.
Peace, Steve