Sunday, July 01, 2007
“I couldn’t describe my life in Japan without mentioning 2HJ”
Four-year Volunteer Coordinator Jason Kueh
2HJ’s Saturday Soup Kitchen in Ueno Park, from preparation to cleanup, involves a total of 30 to 50 volunteers every week. Jason Kueh, along with Patricia Decker, has been working as the coordinator of this large number of volunteers. I had a chance to ask Jason a few questions before he returned to the US in July for graduate school.
What do you do as a volunteer coordinator?
“Our job is to arrange for the number of people we need to arrive where we need them, when we need them. First of all, every Tuesday we send out a weekly announcement of upcoming volunteering needs to the 600 or so people on our e-mail list. Then, as we wait for people to respond, we consider things like the amount of food coming in that week and whether a group is signed up to volunteer. Based on that we decide how to allocate the volunteers and tasks. On Saturday we also have other volunteer leaders, so we work with them to make sure the volunteers do the tasks properly and according to schedule. We carefully think through the menu—‘Should we make more rice next time?’ ‘Since we’ve got extra vegetables this time, let’s put them in the soup’—and keep an eye on the big picture so the activities go smoothly.”
How did you get started with 2HJ?
“It was four years ago, when I was working as a consultant at a software company. Work was all-consuming—I sometimes had to take the last train home—and it hit me that something was missing. I wanted to be more involved in the community. I wanted to do something useful. I asked around, and a group that worked as an intermediary between individuals and NPOs introduced me to 2HJ.”
That was still in 2HJ’s early days, wasn’t it?
“Right. At that time, the organization was called “Food Bank Japan” and we didn’t even have a warehouse. At the beginning we were just lining up bread and vegetables in Sumida Park and handing them out to the people living in the park. Even so, I felt it was really worthwhile to be involved in saving perfectly edible food from being thrown away and providing it to those in need.”
What made you want to become a volunteer coordinator?
“I hadn’t been volunteering long when (Executive Director) Charles announced he was looking for someone to organize the volunteers, so I thought I’d give it a shot and see what I could do. I didn’t expect at that time that I’d end up coming out almost every week, though!”
2HJ has come a long way in the four years since you joined.
“Now there’s an office and a warehouse, and the Harvest Pantry is up and running. The Saturday distribution has moved from Sumida Park to Ueno Park, and now we serve rice and miso soup, salad and cooked items—we’re able to provide a hot meal to 400–500 people every week. I’m surprised at how far we’ve come. The number of volunteers is also on the rise. Sometimes so many people want to sign up that we have to turn some away. I’m also happy that we’re now seeing more Japanese participants.”
What have these four years meant for you?
“I was fortunate to make many good friends through 2HJ’s activities, and I’ve made personal progress as well. Before, I preferred working alone, but after being a coordinator, I came to know the fun and importance of working with others for a good cause. I couldn’t describe my life in Japan without mentioning 2HJ—that’s how big a part of my life it’s been. I’m truly impressed by the enthusiasm and efforts of Charles and the staff and volunteers.”
What’s your message to volunteers?
“I think there are a lot of people who are busy and can rarely volunteer. I also had many times when I thought, ‘It’s Saturday—I don’t want to get up early.’ I’d like volunteers to try to push themselves a little. You may have to sacrifice something, but if you can increase your participation by even just one time, I think you’ll find some kind of reward or discovery.”
Jason, thanks for all your work!
Writer: Etsuko Ohara
Photo: Vivian Chan
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
2HJ participates in supporter Nu Skin Japan’s Force for Good Day
On June 13, Second Harvest Japan Executive Director Charles McJilton and Resource Coordinator Yusuke Wada participated in an event called the “Force for Good Day,” held by one of our major financial supporters, Nu Skin Japan. Most of our supporter companies seek not only to contribute funds, but to get their entire organizations involved through social awareness raising and volunteering. The two 2HJ staff members gave presentations to Nu Skin Japan distributors and employees throughout the day, focusing on 2HJ’s daily operations. The presentations were met with enthusiastic questions and received a positive reception. 2HJ gladly visits companies, schools, and other organizations to give presentations on food banking.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
We’re hiring!
Second Harvest Japan is recruiting! Please see details in Japanese.
Link to News story »Monday, April 23, 2007
Harvest News: Spring 2007 Issue
Harvest News, Second Harvest Japan’s newsletter, contains stories and information related to 2HJ and food banking in Japan. Download this color version to share with friends, family, and coworkers!
Contents for the 2007 spring issue include:
-5th anniversary message from Executive Director
-Sponsor focus on Nu Skin Japan
-Food donor/volunteer focus on food drives
-Pointers for running a food drive
Click to view Harvest News 2007 Spring [PDF: 330 KB]
Link to News story »Friday, April 06, 2007
Food drives feed Harvest Pantry
Every week, Second Harvest Japan’s Harvest Pantry feeds close to 100 individuals, including 47 children. The majority of critically needed non-perishable foods come to us through food drives held by schools, businesses, and associations. With over 650,000 people in Japan lacking food security, food drives—no matter how big or how small—play an important role in helping to alleviate hunger.
Mark Valens, an English teacher at the Tokyo Korean School, helped to organize a food drive with his students, grades one through six. Approximately 450 students participated in the five-day drive. To motivate and build enthusiasm, the teachers put forth a challenge. If the students collected over 500 items, the teachers would sing a Japanese song in front of the student body. If the school fell short of the target, the sixth grade students would have to sing an English song on stage.
In the end, the students collected over 1,100 items and “everyone involved with the food drive agreed that it was a great success,” said Valens. “Donating food showed students how they could make a difference in people’s lives as well as educated them about the fact that many people go to bed hungry each night, even in a wealthy developed country.” Most of the teachers also spoke about the need some have for food and why they felt it was important to help others.
Many food drives are organized around World Food Day (October 16), which was established in 1979 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to increase international awareness of the issues behind hunger and poverty around the world. World Food Day is an excellent occasion to run a food drive for 2HJ and help spread awareness about hunger in Japan.
But since hunger is a year-round problem, there’s no need to wait until autumn to plan a food drive. See below for some pointers for organizing a food drive and contact 2HJ today to get started!
Be sure to contact Harvest Pantry Coordinator Michelle Ryan .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) before you start collecting food.
Download this printer-friendly PDF of the above pointers.
Writer: Michelle Ryan
Link to News story »RSS
Keep up to date with the latest news.