Share Our Strength Seacoast

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photograph courtesy of Tammy Byron

2009 Taste of the Nation Portsmouth

This year it was personal.

And to prove it, on June 24, 2009, over 1000 residents from the Seacoast of New Hampshire and beyond congregated under spectacular tents on the lovely grounds of the Strawbery Banke Museum for what can only be described as the premier food event of the year in this area— the 15th annual Taste of the Nation Portsmouth.

They gathered to celebrate fine food, drink, and fellowship. Especially fellowship. At a time when more and more families are being affected by the economic downturn, 1000 people joined together to raise money for some of the most effective anti-hunger organizations in this region— the grant recipients of Share Our Strength.

It was personal because by now everyone has either been negatively affected by the economy, or knows someone who has. Families that never thought they would require the services of public assistance agencies have now tumbled over that grim line that separates self-sufficiency from need, and those agencies are struggling to meet the dramatically increased demand for services.

So on a magical summer evening the people of our community responded overwhelmingly, selling out the event more quickly than at any time in the fifteen year history of Taste of the Nation Portsmouth, and raising a record breaking $115,000 in one evening— this in a city with a population of only 22,000.

Individuals and businesses coming together in common cause to share their strengths in an effort to ensure that no child in our area has to endure the pain and uncertainty of gnawing hunger. Not nameless, faceless kids, but kids in our own schools and neighborhoods— kids who are friends of our own children. Kids we know.

Yes— this year it was personal, and the members of Share Our Strength Seacoast would like to express our deepest gratitude to every patron, chef, business owner, volunteer, and donor who helped prove once again that we live in a community that even in difficult times—especially in difficult times—reaches out to help friends in need.

Read on for the editorial reaction to Taste of the Nation Portsmouth by the Portsmouth Herald:

Thumbs up to work for the hungry

Editorial
Portsmouth Herald
June 27, 2009 6:00 AM

Thumbs up to the more than $115,000 Taste of the Nation Portsmouth was able to raise Wednesday to battle childhood hunger. The event at Strawbery Banke drew 800 guests.

Since 1994, the Portsmouth version of the national event has raised more than $800,000 for organizations such as Footprints Food Pantry and the Seacoast Family Food Pantry of New Hampshire.

That kind of organized community effort would be impressive in a banner year, never mind this dismal economic climate.

Good food, good music and good conversation are partial incentives, but you can’t raise this much without having the good hearts to back it.

Congratulations to Taste of the Nation for showing the power of generosity.

Share Our Strength’s Childhood Hunger Strategy

IN THE WORLD’S WEALTHIEST NATION, NO CHILD SHOULD GROW UP HUNGRY.

By the end of the year, more than 12 million children in America will worry about when their next meal will come. That’s one in six who are at risk of hunger, and who have limited or uncertain access to the nutritious foods they need to develop to their full potential.

Despite its devastating and highly visible consequences, childhood hunger is invisible. You can’t see it just by looking, and you can’t measure it in pounds, but it is among us: It affects black, white, Asian and Hispanic, short and tall, thin and chubby.

Share Our Strength: No Kid Hungry

In 2004, Share Our Strength developed its national strategy to end childhood hunger in America. This strategy focuses on long-term solutions that support access to nutritious foods and healthy choices—the difference between feeding a family tonight and ensuring that they never have to worry about when their next meal will come. It is designed to bridge the gaps between existing, effective programs and the families who need them.

At its core are three sensible goals:

Increase access to public and private programs that provide food to children and their families.

Strengthen community infrastructure and systems that connect children to healthy food.

Improve knowledge about available programs and how to get the most from limited resources.

How We Share Our Strength

Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $70 million. Funds from Taste of the Nation are directly invested in the most successful organizations committed to ending childhood hunger in America.