Food banks across the country are constantly working to innovate and improve their services, and without them, the Feeding America network could never provide for those in need. Each month, we’ll be turning the spotlight onto an individual food bank that is working hard to become even more efficient and effective.

This month, we are featuring the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

A fondness for baseball brought Bob Wright into the podcasting world three years ago.  100,000 downloads later, he used his hosting experience to highlight another passion:  food banks.  Only eleven episodes into Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County’s program, Food Bank Radio (FBR) has already garnered 1000 hits.  Each biweekly program features interviews with various employees, directors, and volunteers from food banks, agencies and other non-profits in the Orange County area. 

Hosts Bob Wright and Audra Aucoin, staff members of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, are on a mission to highlight the plight of food banks.  Part of the goal is to also note its accessibility to those who wish to volunteer at their local banks.  And their cause is gaining momentum- iTunes featured the show only one week into FBR’s run starting in May of 2008.

The two run this grassroots movement through an empty office in their food bank.  When necessary, the mobility of their podcasting equipment allows Bob to go on location for interviews. Guests have included clients from agency food banks, executive directors from local and regional agencies, and staffers or volunteers new to food banks.  Each takes their turn in regaling a growing audience on the ins and outs of these important organizations.

For more information on the Value-Added Process Program, head to www.feedoc.org .