Scarecrows in the Great Park to Help Scare Away Hunger

Great Park Promotes National Hunger Action Month

SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 – IRVINE, California – The Orange County Great Park is calling on companies, families and individuals to help stop hunger now by supporting the Second Harvest Food Bank. Organizations are invited to participate in the inaugural “Scarecrows in the Park” event by organizing a team to create a scarecrow that will be showcased at the Great Park. Individuals and families can participate by taking the September Hunger Action Month Pledge now to advocate, donate or volunteer to raise awareness and help fight hunger.
“Scarecrows in the Park” is a fun and creative way to help Second Harvest Food Bank alleviate hunger in Orange County while supporting the Park’s agricultural education programs and Farm & Food Lab. The entry fee is $500 per organization, and while registrations are due this Friday, September 24, organizations have until October 17 to deliver their scarecrows to the Great Park for display.

Everyone can get into fighting hunger during the September Hunger Action Month Pledge. Monies raised by Second Harvest during the September national pledge drive will be matched dollar for dollar by an outside organization, and the food bank that gathers the most pledges could win a truckload of food. To participate, visit www.feedoc.org and “take the pledge” to donate to Second Harvest. Then bring your canned goods to the Great Park October 23 for the annual Great Park Pumpkin Harvest.

“We are reaching out to our Great Park network of family, friends and private industries to help fight hunger by supporting the Second Harvest Food Bank now,” said Larry Agran, Chair Orange County Great Park Corporation. “By tying opportunities to support Second Harvest to our Great Park events, we are making it easier for people to get involved on many levels.”
At the Great Park Pumpkin Harvest on Saturday, October 23, 2010, visitors can drop off their non-perishable and canned goods to support local food banks, and they can vote on their choice for Scarecrows in the Park winners. Scarecrows will be on display October 21st to November 19th, and more than 6,000 visitors are expected to attend the Great Park Pumpkin Harvest.

Hunger affects hard-working adults who have lost their jobs or are experiencing a reduction in their compensation and benefits. It affects children and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and are forced to go without food for several meals, or even days. Many people are facing life-threatening choices due to unemployment, sky-high rents and rising medical costs.

“With increasing unemployment and without signs of economic recovery in clear sight, the need for relief in Orange County continues to rise every day,” said Joe Schoeningh, Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. “We thank the Orange County Great Park for their shared mission to help the hungry.”

About Second Harvest Food Bank
Since 1983, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County has provided more than 265 million pounds of safe and nutritious surplus food to now over 450 charitable non-profit organizations throughout Orange County. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County is a certified Affiliate Member of Feeding America. For more information about Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County or to learn how to help, visit https://feedoc.org

About Orange County Great Park
The Orange County Great Park with its 1,347-acre master plan is the focal point of the redevelopment of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro. The Great Park is currently 27.5 acres and includes an iconic tethered helium balloon that rises 400 feet in the air, providing an aerial view of Park development. A $65.5 million development plan to expand the Park to 200 acres is currently underway. The plan will build out a core section of the Park for the most immediate and wide-ranging public benefit, including a sports park, agricultural area and an art and culture exhibition space.

For updated information about the Great Park, go to www.ocgp.org or call (949) 724-7420.

Press Contact:
Jenn Starnes
Public Information Officer
Orange County Great Park Corporation
(949) 724-6574