On Friday, May 11th, Second Harvest hosted its 2018 Harvest of Knowledge Partner Conference at the Oracle Conference Center in Redwood City. The event was an overwhelming success with over 250 partners, presenters and staff attending. Participants enjoyed a day of information sharing, workshops, networking, great food and even Zumba!

In the auditorium

A workshop session

One attendee said: “Thank you for providing this annual conference. It provides some professional development that me and my staff would otherwise not have access to. It also helps our organization feel more connected to Second Harvest.”

Some of the workshop topics this year included immigration concerns, injury prevention, client experience and client support, food labels and food waste prevention, building empathy and compassion, change management, volunteer management, health, public policy and mindfulness.

Every year, we spotlight our partners that go above and beyond in their daily work to help our neighbors in need.  Congratulations to this year’s awards recipients:

  • 2018 Outstanding Grocery Rescue Partner Award: Community Services Agency of Mt. View and Los Altos

Community Services Agency of Mt. View and Los Altos, recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Grocery Rescue Partner Award

  • 2018 Ultimate Food Connector Award: Society of St. Vincent de Paul of San Mateo Area County
  • 2018 McCown-Takalo Hunger Fighter Award: Poncho Guevara, Executive Director, Sacred Heart Community Service
  • 2018 McCown-Takalo Hunger Fighter Award: Joseph Egan, Director of Operations, Mid-Peninsula Boys and Girls Club

Joe Egan, Recipient of the 2018 McCown-Takalo Hunger Fighter Award

  • 2018 Health Hero Award: Rahshon Dixon, Mateo Lodge – Wally’s Place

Rahshon Dixon, Recipient of the 2018 Health Hero Award

  • 2018 Inspirational Leadership Award: CALL Primrose

Terri Boesch, Executive Director of CALL Primrose, accepting the 2018 Inspirational Leadership Award

  • 2018 Volunteer Warrior Award: Marie Lawton

Marie Lawton, Recipient of the 2018 Volunteer Warrior Award

  • 2018 Volunteer Warrior Award: Regina Eng

Regina Eng, Recipient of the 2018 Volunteer Warrior Award

The event was also an occasion to celebrate Cindy McCown, our very own Vice President of Community Engagement and Policy. Cindy received a standing ovation for her 34 years of service and dedication to Second Harvest!

A standing ovation for Cindy!

From left to right: Cindy McCown, VP of Community Engagement and Policy, Leslie Bacho, CEO, and Susan Takalo, Director of Community Partnerships

Thank you to everyone who attended the conference. Until next year!