2008 Woodie Awards
Food Bank hosts Blue Jean Ball to raise hunger awareness
Diana Gialo
Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: News
The Food Bank of Delaware is holding its second annual Blue Jean Ball on Oct. 12 to continue its fight against hunger in Delaware and to increase hunger awareness for Delawareans who have the means to help.
The Food Bank of Delaware is part of America's Second Harvest, the country's national food network. America's Second Harvest provides hunger relief to more than 25 million Americans and is comprised of nearly 9 million children and 3 million senior citizens, according to the Food Bank's Web site.
The Food Bank provides relief to approximately 90,000 Delawareans - including 26,000 children.
Dana Johnston, community relations manager of Food Bank of Delaware, said she hopes to surpass the fundraising efforts of the 2006 Blue Jean Ball.
"We raised around $25,000 last year and we hope to raise even more money this year," Johnston said.
She said there is meaning behind the event's blue jean theme.
"We call it a Blue Jean Ball for a couple of different reasons," Johnston said. "The Ball is in our actual warehouse. People are able to come to the warehouse where our food is stored and see the products of the generous donations."
She said another reason for the attire is the relaxed feeling blue jeans provide for attendees.
"People are going to come to the warehouse with a casual feeling in mind," Johnston said. "This event is not a black-tie sort of ideal when you are in a warehouse."
The Blue Jean Ball is not an event limited to Delawareans, she said. The theme has been used in the food bank warehouses of Maryland and New Jersey as well.
Johnston said an important connection ties each state together and trading often occurs between food banks.
"Food banks within the Second Harvest network work in partnerships," she said. "We can trade with other food banks across the country, while maintaining certain standards and regulations the Second Harvest requires."
Because the Food Bank is hosting the ball in its own warehouse and is providing its own cooks and caterers, all of the proceeds from the fundraiser can go directly to the Food Bank, Johnston said.
Newark resident Bernadette Shiner, a former Food Bank of Delaware volunteer, said she had many different experiences while working as a fundraiser within the non-profit organization.
"I used to volunteer at the Food Bank through my job," Shiner said. "I learned many things from volunteering at the Food Bank, such as the volume of people who were in need of the services and I learned all about food retention."
She said food was not the only item being donated to those in need.
"There was not only food," Shiner said. "There was deodorant, toothpaste - basic needs for healthy survival."
Sophomore Brittney Sheldon said she was a former Food Bank volunteer and enjoyed her experiences.
"I volunteered for it through different activities I was involved in as well as going with my dad, who is a regular volunteer there," Sheldon said. "I enjoyed going and helping out with sorting and organizing the food."
The Food Bank of Delaware is part of America's Second Harvest, the country's national food network. America's Second Harvest provides hunger relief to more than 25 million Americans and is comprised of nearly 9 million children and 3 million senior citizens, according to the Food Bank's Web site.
The Food Bank provides relief to approximately 90,000 Delawareans - including 26,000 children.
Dana Johnston, community relations manager of Food Bank of Delaware, said she hopes to surpass the fundraising efforts of the 2006 Blue Jean Ball.
"We raised around $25,000 last year and we hope to raise even more money this year," Johnston said.
She said there is meaning behind the event's blue jean theme.
"We call it a Blue Jean Ball for a couple of different reasons," Johnston said. "The Ball is in our actual warehouse. People are able to come to the warehouse where our food is stored and see the products of the generous donations."
She said another reason for the attire is the relaxed feeling blue jeans provide for attendees.
"People are going to come to the warehouse with a casual feeling in mind," Johnston said. "This event is not a black-tie sort of ideal when you are in a warehouse."
The Blue Jean Ball is not an event limited to Delawareans, she said. The theme has been used in the food bank warehouses of Maryland and New Jersey as well.
Johnston said an important connection ties each state together and trading often occurs between food banks.
"Food banks within the Second Harvest network work in partnerships," she said. "We can trade with other food banks across the country, while maintaining certain standards and regulations the Second Harvest requires."
Because the Food Bank is hosting the ball in its own warehouse and is providing its own cooks and caterers, all of the proceeds from the fundraiser can go directly to the Food Bank, Johnston said.
Newark resident Bernadette Shiner, a former Food Bank of Delaware volunteer, said she had many different experiences while working as a fundraiser within the non-profit organization.
"I used to volunteer at the Food Bank through my job," Shiner said. "I learned many things from volunteering at the Food Bank, such as the volume of people who were in need of the services and I learned all about food retention."
She said food was not the only item being donated to those in need.
"There was not only food," Shiner said. "There was deodorant, toothpaste - basic needs for healthy survival."
Sophomore Brittney Sheldon said she was a former Food Bank volunteer and enjoyed her experiences.
"I volunteered for it through different activities I was involved in as well as going with my dad, who is a regular volunteer there," Sheldon said. "I enjoyed going and helping out with sorting and organizing the food."
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