Get The Ink Out: 'No Lunch Lunch' honors food bank's mission

Avril Wood, whose daughter is part of the class of 2011, accepted the award, explaining that when the girls were sophomores, they chose three charities. Thirty-five of them selected Second Harvest.

After commending Antonio Cagnolo and Thad Foret of Antonello Ristorante for providing lunch, which was a wonderful bean soup drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, Arnold explained he missed many meals growing up and he hates to see it happen now. He thanked everyone for doing anything they can and do.

Two partners were recognized for their efforts: the Dhont Family Foundation for providing 30,000 family boxes, which fed a family of four for a week, throughout Orange County last year; and Michelle Merage-Janavs, whose 10-year-old daughter, Isabel, is donating the proceeds from her book, "Izzy and the Candy Palace," to the food bank. Merage-Janavs told the audience Isabel was unable to attend the lunch because it was Free Dress and Movie Day at school.

"She didn't want to let Joe down," Merage-Janavs said. "I told it was OK to be a kid, that Mommy could handle this."

The final honor, the Archbishop Thomas A. Clavel Award, went to a speechless Bud Grandsaert, who serves on the food bank's board, and raised $115 at the annual Swing Against Hunger golf tournament.

About those well-known attendees, the master of ceremonies, Chairman Emeritus Tom A. Fuentes, called out their names so they could be recognized and thanked for their support. The list included Assemblyman-elect and Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor; Irvine City Councilman Steven Choi, who led the pledge of allegiance; Judge Bill Monroe; Orange County Deputy Treasurer Keith Rodenhuis; Capt. Emily Sanford, retired from the U.S. Navy; Sir Eldon Griffiths, a former House of Commons member; former Anaheim City Councilman Bob Zemel; Saddleback College President Tod Burnett; and Orange City Councilman Fred Whitaker.

Web Editor JAMIE ROWE can be reached at (714) 966-4634 or jamie.rowe@latimes.com. Squee would like to remind everyone to think about homeless animals this season. If you can't adopt, donate food, toys or blankets, money, or your time and love to your local shelter.

How To Help

To donate to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, mail your check to 8014 Marine Way, Irvine, CA 92618 or visit feedoc.org/HowToHelp.aspx.

There are multiple levels:

• $500 can provide two children with an afternoon snack for a year.

•$250 can provide eight seniors with groceries twice a month for a year.

•You can sponsor a child's weekend backpack for $30.

•You can volunteer your time or donate items.

•You can mail whatever you can afford to give.