http://tacoma.komonews.com/news/business/707306-spotted-downtown-hot-dog-cart

Helen knows that communities have the ability to tackle serious issues like hunger and malnutrition—she makes it her job to galvanize support and increase donations to address the needs of the ‘forgotten’ in the area. Working with church groups, local businesses, schools, foundations and families alike, Helen keeps hunger at bay for those in need in Tacoma and the surrounding area. With winter approaching and the effects of the recession still being felt everywhere, the EFN needs additional funds now more than ever.

Now a nominee for the Harlequin More Than Words competition, Helen has the opportunity to win $15,000 to reach even more hungry people in Pierce county! I’ve included more information about her below. Kindly let me know if Helen and the beneficiaries of the EFN’s programs–hungry children and adults in the community today–would be of interest for a story.
Best,
Lindsay

Harlequin More Than Words Nominee
EMERGENCY FOOD NETWORK
Tacoma’s Helen McGovern Feeds Her Community

The match of Helen McGovern and the EMERGENCY FOOD NETWORK was more than mere coincidence – it was kismet. McGovern, who had been in corporate real estate and served as deputy mayor and on the city council in her hometown of Tacoma, WA, was ready to make the switch from big business to a profession that would let her do something more purposeful. During her search, a friend came across a job listing for the Emergency Food Network. When Helen looked at it she realized all of her hard-earned corporate skills would be transferable and sorely needed: “I was meant for this job,” she says.

The Emergency Food Network is a non-profit distributor that serves more than 65 food banks, meal sites and shelters in Pierce County, WA. EFN gathers food from grocery stores, distributors, and farmers to meet an ever-growing need in this difficult economy. “In the two-and-a-half years I’ve been with EFN I’ve seen the demand for our services go up 53 percent. I’ve seen former donors become clients, often because they have to choose between paying the rent or buying food.”

If Helen wins the Harlequin More Than Words Award, funds will go toward providing food to vulnerable people. Supplying food isn’t a “one size fits all” proposition, says Helen. “Not everyone can eat the same things because of health reasons. We get diabetics, people with high blood pressure on a low-sodium diet, heart patients. I’m proud that we can feed them in a way that is nutritious and healthy. We’re doing our part for our neighbors and our community.”

HARLEQUIN MORE THAN WORDS is a community investment program dedicated to celebrating the good works of women across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada by sharing with millions of readers the inspiring stories of ordinary women who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities. Each year Harlequin Enterprises selects winners ofthe Harlequin More Than Words Award from hundreds of nominations solicited from readers and the general public. This year, three winners will be selected and each recipient will receive $15,000 to advance the work of her charity and three of Harlequin’s authors donate their time and talent to write novellas inspired by the life and work of the recipients. The novellas will be available in ebook format to download at no cost in 2013.

as far as technology goes, it doesn’t solve everything. at least once a week now i hear about people getting lost using their gps systems, which is amusing to me since i don’t need a fancy gps system to get lost, i can handle it on my own just fine. it’s the war game syndrome — people listening to computers and not thinking for themselves. technology is awesome and i’m amazed at what i can do with a camera these days, but it isn’t the answer to everything, and it’s not necessarily what everyone wants. just because the tv says it so, doesn’t mean it’s so. ha!