Saturday, October 21, 2006
Harvest for Hunger 2006 Draws 170 Attendees
The third annual Harvest for Hunger was held on Sunday, October 15 at Fujimamas in Omotesando. With a record 170 people in attendance, the event was a genuine success, reaching out to many concerned residents in Tokyo and the surrounding areas. With the goal of raising awareness about Second Harvest Japan’s mission, Harvest for Hunger featured an address by executive director Charles McJilton, and during dinner guests were invited to learn more about food banking and volunteer opportunities at information tables set up in the restaurant.
At the three tables upstairs, attendees learned about a variety of food banking issues. Seisei Shibata spoke with attendees about the efforts she and her husband, Kousaku, have made to spread the idea and practice of food banking in Japan; the couple has been with 2HJ from the beginning. Yusuke Wada, Resource Coordinator, recounted his experiences at U.S. food banks and talked about how he is putting the lessons he learned into practice here in Japan. Michelle Ryan shared her stories about some of the 80 families and individuals to whom she provides weekly emergency groceries as the coordinator of 2HJ’s Harvest Pantry. The pantry provides a service that otherwise does not exist in Japan and is 2HJ’s fastest growing sector. At the information table downstairs, attendees could sign up to volunteer and to receive information about volunteering; Co-Volunteer Coordinator Patricia Decker was there to chat about volunteering and answer any questions.
Those in attendance left with a stronger sense of the underserved communities in Tokyo and learned more about Second Harvest’s objective to collect otherwise-wasted food and redistribute it to those who need it most. Many thanks to everyone who attended Harvest for Hunger, and special thanks to Fujimamas for supporting the evening. Thank you also to the Planning Committee for selling tickets and to the volunteers who helped to make the night run smoothly: Leland and Carolyn Gaskins, Teri Scott, Masahiko Shibata, Leah Mitchell, Anna Maria Dew, and Ashley Rudisill. Together we can make hunger history!
Writer: Ashley Rudisill
Photos: Daniel Perez
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