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Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The Nothing Campaign

This is a really great campaign put together in partnership with OASHF, Ohio's food banks, and Charter One. Visit www.nothing.org/ohio to learn more. Don't forget to watch the video on the home page. Powerful.

Hunger is affecting our friends and neighbors.

Hunger no longer lives solely in the inner city of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Hunger is no longer isolated to the foothills of Appalachia. Hunger is all around us; in once prosperous suburbs, in small rural communities and in our own back yards. As a way to become involved in the fight against hunger, we invite you to do something, with Nothing. The Nothing campaign is a way to learn about more hunger in Ohio, stay informed, and take action in the fight against hunger, making a difference in the lives of those who are faced with hunger each and every day.

The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks and food banks throughout the state are selling cans of Nothing, as a way to raise awareness about hunger and as a way to take action in the fight against hunger.

Cans of Nothing are empty and represent the reality that thousands of our friends and neighbors face every day: hunger. Cans of Nothing can be purchased for $3.00 and will provide at least 12 meals to help feed our hungry friends and neighbors. Proceeds from each can of Nothing will go to support the efforts of your regional food bank.

Do Something with Nothing
Joining in on the fight against hunger is easy. Your civic group, faith community or school can help in the fight against hunger by raising funds for those in need by filling cans of Nothing with donations. We’ll even ship you the can! Joining the fight against hunger is simple:

Submit a request for cans in writing, via email, snail mail or fax.
Fax requests should be sent to the attention of Charles Barber, Communications Manager, Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks to 614-221-4338.
Requests submitted in writing should be sent to: Charles Barber, Communications Manager, Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks, 51 North High Street Suite 761, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
Agree to the following terms and conditions of the Nothing campaign:
You will provide the cans free of charge to willing participants, such as students and organizational members.
Collect the filled cans from the participants.
Count all donations collected by participants and send a check representing the total amount to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks.
In return, OASHF will recognize your organization, civic group or school with a letter of appreciation and acknowledgement on the Nothing website.

Here are creative ways to Do Something About Nothing:
Donate to the Nothing campaign.
Making a donation to the Nothing campaign is easier than you think! You can donate online or via text message by sending FOODBANK to 85944 to donate $10 now.
Volunteer.
Reach out to your local food bank to learn of ways to give your time and talents. Food banks are always in need of groups to help sort through donations or pack food boxes to distribute to their member agencies.
Host a food drive.
Visit your local food bank website and learn how your organization can collect food that will help those who face hunger within your own communities.
Visit and Learn about your local food bank.
Get a behind the scenes look at how food comes into the emergency food assistance network, it sorted, packaged and made available to share with pantries, soup kitchens and shelters that provide food to Ohioans in need. Get connected with food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters within your community where you can share your time and talents as well.
Compete in a business or organization Nothing challenge.
Request the needed number of cans per department or group within your business or organization Select a time frame to hold the competition—one day, three days, 2 weeks, it’s up to your group. Inspire and educate those who are participating in the Nothing challenge. During the selected time frame, participants compete against one another to raise funds for your local food bank. Collect all funds that were raised and write a check to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks, 51 North High Street Suite 761, Columbus, Ohio 43215, along with a brief description of your competition as well as the winner.
Hold a Brown Bag Lunch day.
Each participant donates the money he or she would have spent on going out to lunch to the Nothing Campaign. Collect all funds that were raised and write a check to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks, 51 North High Street Suite 761, Columbus, Ohio 43215, along with a brief description of your competition as well as the winner. OASHF will issue a press statement acknowledging your organization and business’s commitment in the fight against hunger.
Stay connected and get social.
Follow @OASHF on Twitter to learn more about Nothing and to stay engaged in the fight against hunger.
Like OASHF on Facebook to stay connected with the Nothing campaign as well as learn more about ways to become involved in the fight against hunger in Ohio.
Sign up for the OASHF newsletter. Sign up for action items and email alerts from OASHF.
Spread the word about Nothing by adding a brief article about the campaign into your organization, civic group or company newsletter.
Request the newsletter template.