Farming 4 Hunger Charity Dinner

1. Farming 4 Hunger Charity Dinner Hosted by Metrolink Networks

2. Event Details • What: Semi-formal Dinner • When: Thursday, March 14, 2019 from 7:00pm – 10:00pm • Where: AC Hotel at National Harbor, MD located at 156 Waterfront St. National Harbor, MD 20745 • Why: Raise funds for Farming 4 Hunger’s “Growing Food Matters” Tower Gardens Initiative in Prince George’s County

3. How Proceeds Will be Utilized • 100% of the proceeds from the fundraising event will go towards providing tower gardens to elementary schools in Prince George’s County • This will cover everything needed throughout the school year, which includes seeds, fertilizer, consultation, maintenance, and replacement parts • The school system bears no expense, as the gardens and all the teaching curriculum are provided by Farming 4 Hunger • It will cost $1,000 per school to deploy the tower gardens • With a goal to fully fund all 25 schools in the Prince George’s pilot program, we will aim to raise $25,000 in total • Metrolink Networks has committed to matching up to $10,000 - in addition to covering all costs of the event (happy hour, food/drinks, event space and planning)

4. Farming 4 Hunger • Farming 4 Hunger (F4H) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 2012 by Bernie Fowler Jr. to serve those in need of fresh food in Maryland • They grow and distribute over a million pounds of locally grown, fresh food each year to individuals who need it the most

5. Farming 4 Hunger • F4H accomplishes its mission through unique partnerships with 27 local farms, local businesses and schools, the Maryland Food Bank, the Department of Corrections, 20+ religious institutions, and a great network of community volunteers Website: http://www.farming4hunger.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farming4Hunger/

6. Farming 4 Hunger’s Focus Areas • Food – Feeding the hungry • Community – Volunteering opportunities for individuals and families • Youth Outreach – Engaging students from Kindergarten to College • Second Chances – Engaging justice involved individuals and reducing recidivism • “Growing Food Matters” (Tower Gardens) – Providing Tower Gardens to schools in DC-Metro area

7. Food Initiative • F4H partners with the Maryland Food Bank “Mobile Pantry” program to grow, package, and distribute fresh produce for residents in Maryland. The goal of each produce distribution is to provide immediate relief to communities that are struggling with food insecurity. • To date, F4H has produced over 7 million pounds of food for Maryland communities in need.

8. Community Initiative • Volunteers can help with harvesting, planting, painting, weeding, boxing, or any other agricultural related tasks • Community Service Experience – trainers who specialize in ‘team building’ lead games and activities to help children with social/emotional challenges and teach them life lessons

9. Second Chances Initiative • Engage and successfully equip justice involved individuals as sustainable problem solvers, who work together with their communities to reduce recidivism, increase valued assets to our workforce, and break through the wall of addiction in our community • This initiative involves: • Life coaching • Education • Soft skills workshops • Trade Skills • Re-entry employment

10. Youth Outreach Initiative • Actively engage students on nutrition, fitness, community, prevention, recovery, and agriculture - through activities which allow them to be educated appropriately and safely using the platforms of workshops, camps, field trips, events, and life sharing

11. Youth Outreach Initiative Bernie Fowler with students visiting the farm during a field trip

12. “Growing Food Matters” Initiative • Tower Gardens are vertical, aeroponic growing systems, which allow growth of up to 20 vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers in less than three square feet – indoors or outdoors • F4H provides Tower Gardens to elementary schools so kids can learn how to grow food and about healthy eating habits and choices • F4H keeps an ongoing relationship with the schools and youth involved, to provide counseling, mentoring and prevention

13. “Growing Food Matters” Initiative • F4H visits classrooms after the Tower Gardens have been implemented to teach students about the science behind the Tower Gardens, and to engage in discussions about healthy eating and life choices. • F4H also engages with the schools to mentor students that have been earmarked by the teachers, counselors, and/or school psychologists. F4H follows up with these students on a weekly basis.

14. “Growing Food Matters” Initiative Teachers and students receiving their Tower Gardens

15. “Growing Food Matters” Initiative Students tending to their plants

16. “Growing Food Matters” Initiative One of many letters sent to the Farming 4 Hunger team, by students in pilot schools that have already received their Tower Gardens

17. “Growing Food Matters” Initiative Tower Gardens ready to be shipped to thirteen schools in Southern Maryland

18. “Growing Food Matters” Initiative Bernie Fowler with Mutual Elementary School principal, receiving the Tower Garden for her school

19. “Growing Food Matters” Initiative Tower Gardens filled with vegetables and herbs!

20. Community Members at F4H