Chamber News

McCarthy Nissan Teams Up With Harvesters!

McCarthy Olathe Nissan is teaming up with Harvesters - The Community Food Network, and will sponsor a food and fund drive at McCarthy Olathe Nissan beginning April 27th, 2009 and ending May 20th, 2009.  Donations received through the drive will help Harvesters' network feed those in need throughout Kansas City.

It is sometimes difficult to believe that hunger exists in Kansas City. Most people think of hunger in terms of famine and mass starvation — terrible tragedies, but not something that affects people every day in our own community.

Hunger in our community is often more subtle. It’s a child who stuffs his pockets during lunch at school so he has food to eat at home in the evening. It’s a parent who is—ironically—overweight, because sugar and carbohydrate-laden foods are often the least expensive at the local store. It’s a senior citizen who goes without food in order to buy medicine, further jeopardizing her already fragile health.

The reality is that there are hungry people in Kansas City. Harvesters’ agencies provide assistance to nearly 60,000 people every week. And fully half of those are children and the elderly.

A contribution on today means much needed help, and hope, will be available to those who need it. As you head out to McCarthy Olathe Nissan, be sure to grab a few items to show your support. Your generosity makes a difference.


Did you know. . .

• Harvesters’ network serves nearly 60,000 people in need in Greater Kansas City every week.
• 43% of the people Harvesters’ network serves are children. That’s more than 25,000 children every week.
• A $100 donation will enable Harvesters to provide 500 meals for those in need in Greater Kansas City.
• Harvesters distributes an average of 24 million pounds of food to the hungry every year.
• Each year, hours spent by volunteers at Harvesters translate into the work of more than 40 full-time employees.
• Harvesters distributes food to a network of more than 550 charitable agencies in Greater Kansas City, including emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, day care centers and senior centers.
• Harvesters serves 13 counties in Kansas and Missouri. The food bank’s direct service area covers 7,600 square miles and 1.7 million residents.
• Nearly half (48%) of households receiving emergency food assistance include at least one employed adult.
• While many people think of the homeless when they think of the hungry, in fact only 6% of those seeking emergency food assistance from Harvesters’ agencies are homeless.
• More than one-third (36%) of Harvesters’ clients are served in programs located in rural or suburban areas.
• Nearly half (46%) of Harvesters’ clients have had to choose between buying food and paying for utilities or heat.
  

Your donation makes a difference! (No Glass Please!)

Most Needed Food Items

• Canned Fruit
• Canned Vegetables
• Boxed Meals (Hamburger Helper, Pasta Roni)
• Canned Meats / Tuna
• Peanut Butter & Jelly
• Canned Soup
• Hot & Cold Cereal

Most Needed Household Supplies

• Soap
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Toilet Paper

Financial Contributions

• For every $1 donated, Harvesters can provide five meals!