As we approach the end of another year, we’re looking back on some of our top stories that defined 2023 at Second Helpings. It was a full year as we celebrated our 25th anniversary!
We prepared and delivered an average of 5,000+ meals each day this year. Some of our favorite stories are with our partner agencies, to see where our meals go, and how they support our partners’ missions. Learn how our meals make an impact with our partner agency Pathway to Recovery and their holistic service offerings.
Reflected on Our Past
As part of our anniversary celebrations, we had the honor of connecting with all three of Second Helpings’ founders, who shared some words about their own experiences of the organization’s earliest days. Hear from them below:
Jean Paison: Reflecting on 25 years of Culinary Job Training
Bob Koch: Reflecting on 25 years of community
Kristen Kienker: Reflecting on 25 years of vision
Celebrated 1,000 Culinary Job Training Graduates
This summer we celebrated an incredible milestone – when Class 155 graduated in July, we officially exceeded 1,000 graduates of the Culinary Job Training program. Read more and see photos from this celebration.
We always love checking in with our graduates to see what they’re up to after completing our program.
Check out this touching story from a CJT graduate: Alaina Applewhite, Class 151, and her internship at Circle City Sweets.
Launched Our New Brand
As part of our ongoing strategic plan process, we launched a new brand, thanks to the talented work of Well Done Marketing.
We also started incorporating our new mission and vision statements:
Our Vision: We envision a community where everyone has enough nourishing food and ample opportunities to thrive.
Our Mission: We address hunger today and build self-sufficiency to prevent hunger tomorrow.
We’re excited for what the next 25 years hold for the organization as we continue to fight hunger from all angles. Thank you for your support this year – you made it possible for Second Helpings to focus on serving the people who need our services.
As we prepare for 2024, you can prevent waste and hunger, and create opportunities, with a special gift to Second Helpings. All gifts made before December 31, up to $25,000, will be matched, thanks to an anonymous donor.
You can make a gift of time by signing up to volunteer, and you can make a financial contribution with an online donation.