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Community Corner

Community Update

Fans of golf and skateboarding came together with local sponsors on July 29 for New Leaf’s Taste at the Tee golf tournament fundraiser at Seascape Golf Club in Aptos. The second annual event raised $21,802 for Grind Out Hunger, a Santa Cruz-based nonprofit created through the vision of skateboarders helping kids overcome hunger and malnutrition. Working directly with the youth in our community Grind Out Hunger has raised over 2 million healthy meals for Santa Cruz County families in need since 2004. Meals are distributed via Second Harvest Food Bank.

“Everyone had a great time and it was very gratifying knowing that the proceeds are going to such a vital local organization that helps children get off to a good start with nutritious food,” said Scott Roseman, co-owner of New Leaf Community Markets.

“We want to thank New Leaf, all of the golfers, and corporate sponsors who made this day possible; the support we felt during this event makes it very apparent that our community wants to invest in our youth, providing a better future for all,” said Danny Keith, executive director of Grind Out Hunger. Keith founded the nonprofit Second Harvest placed a collection barrel in his skate shop in 2003 and learned that one in eight kids were going hungry in Santa Cruz County. This motivated him to start speaking at schools to raise awareness that kids in our community were going hungry and mobilizing youth to support other kids.



Over 600 kids are currently enrolled at Grind Out Hunger Headquarters in addition to the thousands of local students in elementary school through high school who participate in annual school holiday food drives. 2013 Second Harvest Food Bank Holiday Food Drives kick off on September 15th, Grind Out Hunger Day.

New Leaf’s Taste at the Tee began with lunch at the Seascape Golf Course Clubhouse provided by Tony’s and Creekstone. A shot-gun scramble at 1 pm kicked off play just as the sun broke through the Aptos fog, and 142 golfers enthusiastically took to the links. Representatives from 42 sponsoring companies participated in the festivities. Throughout the day, tasty food samples along the course from 18 different food companies, distributors, and local businesses fueled the play highlighted by a hole in one by Eric Conly, the manager of the Pleasanton New Leaf Community Markets.

The event concluded with dinner, silent auction, and raffle. Lucky bidders returned home with items such as a seven-night stay at a beach house in Maine, four rounds of golf at some of the Bay Area’s finest courses, and a chance to win a 1965 Pontiac Lemans. Raffle tickets for the car, donated by Pete Biggam and presented by Cardinale Way Nissan in Seaside courtesy of John Guru & Charlie Smith, are available up until September 15. Tickets can be purchased at Grind Out Hunger Headquarters (912 41st Avenue, Capitola), Cardinale Way Nissan (1661 Del Monte Blvd, Seaside) or at: http://www.stayclassy.org/events/donate-to-win-1965-pontiac-lemans/e26044

About New Leaf Community Markets 
New Leaf Community Markets, a locally owned, natural grocery store with eight locations, has been serving the community for 28 years. Founded in 1985, New Leaf's mission, to nourish and sustain our community, is reflected in the 10% of profits given annually to support local non-profits working to improve the quality of life. New Leaf is committed to offering customers choices that have the most beneficial impact on their health, and the health of the environment. Helping customers make informed decisions is an integral part of this commitment. New Leaf’s eight stores are located in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Felton, Boulder Creek, Half Moon Bay, San Jose and Pleasanton. www.newleaf.com

About Grind Out Hunger
Grind Out Hunger is a Santa Cruz based non-profit which exists to empower the youth by utilizing their passion for action sports and music to take leadership in the fight against childhood hunger and malnutrition. Since 2004, Grind Out Hunger has worked directly with the youth throughout Santa Cruz County to raise food and funds totaling over 2 million meals for local families in need. Grind Out Hunger Headquarters is located on 41st Avenue in the Pleasure Point area of Santa Cruz. Their location includes a 3,000 square foot indoor skate park which hosts an ongoing skate membership program, after school programs focused on healthy eating and an active lifestyle, and special events. www.grindouthunger.org

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