Internal Reporter’s Weekly Update with Lindsay Carrozzella - 6/12/09

IR: What did you do this week for Kocina Branding and Marketing Companies?

Lindsay: I had a great time working with Nash Finch, an Edina-based Fortune 500 company, and their NFC Foundation as they donated 44 tons of food to “Hope for the City,” a local food bank supporting 80+ food shelves and soup kitchens in the Twin Cities’ 9-county metro area. It was truly amazing. The CEO of Nash Finch Alec Covington and his wife Gail personally donated half of this food, 22 tons, to help support the needy and hungry in the metro. I had a great experience working with all of the media in the Twin Cities as I helped Nash Finch to create awareness about the growing need for food during this tough economy. It was rewarding!

IR: That sounds awesome! In what ways did you create awareness of this event?

Lindsay: I talked to a lot of TV and newspaper producers and reporters, letting them know that the need to help our community put food on the table is out there and expanding dramatically, and that there are great ways we can help. I offered to arrange interviews with leaders who support programs that serve the hungry, as well as interviews with residents who have a desperate need for these services in this tough economy. Nash Finch is really trying to set an example for other community business leaders to join them in making food or monetary donations to support this cause.

IR: In what ways could people donate to this event?

Lindsay: Like Nash Finch’s generous donation of 44 tons of food – two semi-trucks full of non-perishable items – other corporations, foundations and individuals can help by offering food, monetary donations and volunteer hours. You see: a lot of food banks rely upon corporate donations to help support their programs.

IR: Great! What were some of the media outlets seemed interested in creating event awareness?

Lindsay: It was great working with KARE-TV NBC 11, KSTP-TV ABC 5, and KMSP-TV FOX 9, WCCO Radio, KSTP-AM and KBEM-FM. It was also really fun working with the Star Tribune, a columnist at the Pioneer Press, The Business Journal and Sun Publications.

IR: That does sound fun! Could people see any stories about this event on television or in newspaper articles?

Lindsay: People may have seen many stories last week, June 3rd, 4th and 5th , covering the press conference and food donation, and expressing the need for increased corporate responsibility to help those less fortunate in the Twin Cities during these tough economic times. Hunger in our community is such a strong need, and this event really tried to call attention to the problem while also offering one of many possible solutions – help from our local business leaders – to help our neighbors. I am hoping to see a few more stories about their cause in the next few weeks!

IR: It sounds like you have been busy! I cannot wait to see what you are up to next week!