The $4 million Second Harvest on the Move Campaign that concludes at year’s end will leave us with an energized corps of donors, volunteers and advocates. More people than ever before understand our mission and embrace our work. The economy dealt a huge blow to struggling families in east-central Indiana and in the nation during this time, increasing the poverty population of our eight county service area from 49,000 to 62,000 during the past few years. Our region is right up there with the rest of the nation in counting one out of every eight residents as struggling with hunger.

Raising money in a depressed economy with such huge increases in need seemed overwhelming three years ago. But we learned something. We learned that when our neighbors are in trouble, we all dig a little deeper. Our wonderful donors stepped up to the plate and saw to it that we had the money needed to run the organization. New folks responded to our need. They all generously contributed their resources to get us moved, settled in and equipped.

If it sounds like the job is done, it is not. In order to get to that magic $4 million goal, we must win the Kresge Challenge. We are within $100,000 of raising the match needed for the $400,000 Kresge grant that will put us over the top and complete the Second Harvest on the Move campaign.

We are very thankful for the recent $100,000 Ball Brothers Foundation grant that helped get us to this point. We are delighted with individuals who are sending in gifts and making pledges to meet the Dec. 31 deadline. And we are moved by a community that continues to find ways to support the cause.

Many of you know Skip Ockomon as one of Anderson’s compassionate firefighters. He and his brother Mayor Kris Ockomon met recently with members of our staff to talk about how to help hungry neighbors. The result was the creation of The Amazing Share scheduled for Dec. 4 at Athletic Park in Anderson. This Winter Fest activity will pair a Second Harvest Tailgate distribution with an opportunity to give.

Second Harvest will provide food for an extra, extended Tailgate distribution from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. that Friday. Families in need of food assistance will drive through with volunteers helping to load fresh produce and groceries into their vehicles. During the same time, donors may drive through another line and drop off contributions to help get even more food out to more people.

It will be a big day with a big goal of $6,000! All funds collected will provide food for people in need and will be matched by the Kresge Challenge. This $6,000 will increase to $9,000 and help us meet the deadline. Skip and Mayor Kris are inviting community leaders to join The Amazing Share team that includes Second Harvest, Pay Less Super Markets, Operation Love, The Christian Center, Boy Scouts and even Santa Claus. Come join us on Dec. 4 at The Amazing Share.

Lois Rockhill is executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. Her column appears the third Sunday of each month. She can be reached at lrockhill@cure hunger.org.