America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network Honors Cherie Jamason For Service To Hungry Americans

Jamason Receives 2005 Dick Goebel Public Service Award

WASHINGTON  --- February 28, 2005 --- America's Second Harvest—The Nation's Food Bank Network today awarded Cherie Jamason, Executive Director of the Northern Nevada Food Bank, with the 2005 Dick Goebel Public Service Award for outstanding commitment to ending hunger in her community and across the country.  Jamason accepted the award at the 2005 National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, a gathering in Washington DC of more than 450 anti-hunger advocates, sponsored by America's Second Harvest and the Food Research Action Center (FRAC).

"Cherie Jamason personifies the spirit of public and community service," said Robert Forney, President and Chief Executive Officer of America's Second Harvest.  "Cherie has been a leader for many years in efforts to end hunger in the Reno area, and she has been a tireless advocate on behalf of national public policies that help low-income, needy individuals and families.  Her enthusiasm, kindness, and generosity are extraordinary assets to America's Second Harvest and hungry people nationwide." 

Jamason started her tenure with the Northern Nevada Food Bank in 1988. At that time, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada had 3.5 employees, served 28 agencies, distributed 500,000 pounds of food and had a budget of $166,000.  Today, the Northern Nevada Food Bank employs 16 full-time employees, three part-time employees and one VISTA Program volunteer, serves more than 85 partner agencies and distributes 3.1 million pounds each year. 

The Dick Goebel Public Service Award was created in 2001 in honor of the Reverend Richard (Dick) Goebel for his many years of public service on behalf of hungry Americans.  As founder and Executive Director of the Second Harvest St. Paul Food Bank in St. Paul, Minnesota (now Second Harvest Heartland), Dick's dedicated service left a lasting legacy.  Recipients of the Dick Goebel Public Service Award exemplify service to their communities, extensive public policy advocacy, and tireless enthusiasm and creativity in developing solutions to ending hunger both locally and nationally.  

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America's Second Harvest—The Nation's Food Bank Network is the nation's largest charitable hunger-relief organization, with a Network of more than 200 regional member food banks and food - rescue programs serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.  The America's Second Harvest Network secures and distributes nearly two billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually.  The America's Second Harvest Network supports approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 94,000 programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs, and Kids Cafes. Last year, the America's Second Harvest Network provided food assistance to more than 23 million low-income hungry people in the United States, including more than nine million children and nearly three million seniors.  For more on America's Second Harvest, please visit www.secondharvest.org.

Contact:
Maura Daly
Office: 312-263-2303, x162
Cell: 301-943-3733