OC CARES EVENT MISSION STATEMENT

OCCARES WALK

SUPPORTING LIFE EMPOWERING PROJECTS IN OC

PROJECT 2014:  

REDUCING HUNGER IN OC BY SUPPORTING WASTE NOT OC

NOVEMBER 23, 2014

(7:00AM CHECK IN & WALK, 9:30AM ENTERTAINMENT, 7:00-12:00PM ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES)

In Orange County, 12.7% of the population or 379,690 people are food in-secure and 1 in 5 children face food insecurity and it is estimated that $181 million dollars are needed to end food insecurity.  In the US, 36.31 million tons of food was wasted in 2011. In an effort to address this problem, Waste Not OC (WNOC) was created.  WNOC, founded by Dr. Eric Handler of Orange County Health Care Agency, is a public-private partnership of food banks, food distributors, OC health care agency employees and volunteers dedicated to the WNOC vision of reducing hunger in Orange County, California.  Through a variety of programs, WNOC has projects designed to promote the donation of more wholesome foods by restaurants, markets and others to the several food banks serving the OC community.

Two of WNOC’s key projects are which OCCares is supporting are:

1. Anaheim-Orange Food Recovery Pilot:  Focuses on identifying sources of recoverable food and educating potential donors on safe redirection of food.  Participating food recovery participants are identified on a map on the WNOC’s website, wastenotoc.org.

2. OC Culinary Arts Program (OCCAP):  An initiative among nonprofit and public agencies, including the Orange County Probation Department, SeniorServ and Food Finders.  OCCAP is a culinary arts and employment training program designed to provide at-risk youth with culinary arts training to provide the skills, confidence and resources to seek entry-level jobs in the food services industry, and especially to learn more about the preparation of healthy foods, including foods which can potentially be donated to Orange County food banks.  OCCAP is currently seeking funds to create a pilot project with students from the OC Probation Department’s Anaheim Youth Reporting Center (YRC).

OC Cares is in its second year of supporting Orange County charitable organizations that meet its mission of promoting (1) Unity by working together towards a common goal with people from various denominational, cultural and social backgrounds; (2) Charity by enhancing the work of existing non-profit organizations that are committed to helping those in need; and (3) Compassion by inspiring young people to care for others and to use their time, talents and gifts to make this world a better place.  It is our goal to teach our youth, through event-driven fundraisers, the importance of giving at an early age, as well as the confidence and knowledge necessary to grow into caring, healthy and responsible adults.  

For our 2014 fundraising event, OC Cares has elected to support hunger projects in OC - namely Waste Not OC - through a walk at the Mile Square Park, Fountain Valley, California, which will be held on Sunday November 23rd beginning at 7:00am. There will also be an “After-Walk” event with a concert by the amazing 14 year old twin brothers Benjamin and Kyle Sharp "Sharp Turn Ahead" (www.sharpturnahead.com) and the talented 15 year old singer/songwriter Sidney Bowen (www.sidneybowenmusic.com).  Right before the concert the audience will be entertained with a short comedy improv by Style Laughter (www.stylelaughter.com), a short healthy food preparation demo by Chef Saifon (www.trueshabu.com) and Chef Colleen Cackaowski (www.bestrawchef.com), exceptional contemporary dance performance by  the young dancers from Southland Ballet Academy (www.festivalballet.org), and a vocal solo by talented 14 year old singer Samantha Bui.  There will also be a book signing opportunity with Dr. Patricia Riba the author of "Fit Kids Revolution" and other fun and educational activities for children. Food trucks will also be on site for our hungry participants and walkers.  Our contribution from the proceeds raised through the walk and other sources will support WNOC’s objectives.

For more information or be a part of this year’s hunger project through donation or volunteering, contact OC Cares, Inc., 7801 Center Avenue, Suite 100, Huntington Beach, CA 92647,  Attn:  Dr. Katherine Ahn, Founder and President, Tel: (714) 756-0066; E-Mail: info@occares.org.  Visit us on the web at www.occares.org.

OCCares is fiscally sponsored by Charitable Ventures of Orange County (CVOC): 501c3 #:  20-8756660