Break out the bold hats, seersucker suits, and Southern charm--it's time for the most exciting night in philanthropy! Join Rotary Club 25 for an unforgettable evening inspired by the pageantry and thrill of the Kentucky Derby. Sip classic mint juleps, enjoy delicious fare, and place your winning bids in the silent auction, all while cheering on great causes that make our community stronger.
It's high stakes, high style, and heartfelt giving--so pick your winner, dress to impress, and let the good times race!
Volunteer Opportunity
Second Harvest Northland Food Packing
2302 Commonwealth Avenue
Duluth, MN 55808
May 13, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
We have an opportunity to help fight hunger in our area! Our Rotary Club has partnered with Second Harvest Northland to assist them in their mission to create a hunger-free Northland at their new facility in West Duluth.
Thursday is Duluth Lions Club Pancake Day 2026
The Duluth Lions Club Annual Pancake Day is this Thursday, May 7, and they’ve reserved a special spot just for Rotary members.
A group of us will be meeting at 8 AM, and we’d love to see a sea of Rotarians there to support their great work. Get discounted tickets
HERE
Join us for pancakes, coffee, conversation, and a chance to live out our mission of Rotarians simply showing up.
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Angel Saczko
We can always count on President Zach Walters' energy and enthusiasm, even during the longest spring known to man. He happily led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary 4-Way Test, a little late start due to unforeseen technical difficulties, but nothing resourceful and intelligent Rotarians cannot handle.
President Zach Walters bringing the energy and enthusiasm to Rotary!
Jerry Thoreson gave us a little pop culture reference as we reflected on what building goodwill truly means through the lessons of Good Will Hunting. An iconic demonstration of how goodwill is entwined in many of life's lessons, when it shows up in ways we don’t realize, and it shows up just as it is needed. Each of us has the honor of creating it and hunting for it to strengthen our friendships, build trust and let goodwill guide the peace and contentment within us, and throughout the community.
Our guests mostly consisted of Junior Rotarians from the past year:
Aedrea Winter-Hermantown Junior Rotarian
Will Benner-Hermantown Junior Rotarian
Jake-Harbor City Junior Rotarian
Wylan Avsing-Denfeld Junior Rotarian
Lucas Hendrikson-Harbor City Junior Rotarian
Isaac Lukasavitz-Harbor City Junior Rotarian
Dahlia Boberg-Harbor City Junior Rotarian
With additional guests:
Judy Sage-wife of Allen Anway
Harriet Besser-mother of Past President Gary Melander
Mr. James Elrod-Advisor at Denfeld
Shaye Morris-todays speaker, President/CEO Second Harvest Northland
Young guests joining us for the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Golden Can’s first “kicked” by Tim Mowbray, as he regretted informing us that he will be missing next week's auction Gala, but for good cause. He will be celebrating his 55-year reunion of serving in Vietnam. Out of the 150 members he served with, there are only 18 left, so time is precious. Thank you for your service!
Tim Mowbray recalling his stint in the service and looking forward to spending time with old friends.
Past President Chana Stocke then reminded us to get out and watch the birds, as she had recently taken a trip to Chambers Grove and witnessed around 200 pelicans. A beautiful sight!
Past President Chana Stocke reminding us to open our eyes to the beauties of nature!
Jeff Fifield commended Anthony Nordan for being our rotary tech hero when problems arise (without him we may not even have the presentation at all).
Jeff Fifield announcing the many accolades and future journeys of the most recent Junior Rotarians.
Jeff Fifield then attempted to read his notes - without his glasses, to congratulate and recognize all the Junior Rotarians both present and that could not attend, that we have had the pleasure of getting to know over the last year. He did a great job despite his impaired vision. Each Junior Rotarian received a Rotary Club 25 certificate for completing the program. They all spoke of their ambitions and drive to continue putting service above self, while pursuing their dreams. Geiger Yount handed out certificates to attendees, highlighting the achievements of top Junior Rotarian program participants and reflecting the promise of the next generation of Rotarians.
Mr. Elrod and the Junior Rotarians from Denfeld proudly holding their Rotary Certificates.
Junior Rotarians from Hermantown proudly showcasing their Rotary Certificates.
While the Junior Rotarian program is offered to all schools in the area, East, Marshall, Stella Maris, and Lakeview Christian Academy have had minimal involvement, especially since Covid. New ideas to make the program better and inclusive are welcome and encouraged.
Allison Hanig-Landrus ensuring all Junior Rotarians are celebrated!
Shaye Morris, today's speaker, President/CEO Second Harvest Northland is no stranger at Club 25. Renee Burns, as Chair of the Day, excitedly introduced her friend of 35 years. Reminiscing of the time they spent together, and sharing with us that Shaye has been at Northland Harvest for 28 years, as well as the impressive accomplishment of Shaye's travel adventures, adding up to "only" 50 countries.
Renee Burns fondly recalling her friendship and admiration for Shaye Morris, President and CEO of Second Harvest Northland.
Shaye Morris joined us this time with another update of all the amazing work Second Harvest Northland continues to do within the community as the need for food access increases. Second Harvest Northland reaches 15 counties and provides 11 million meals. They operate a food bank of donated food that they distribute to partners in the community such as CHUM and The Salvation Army, food shelve, where the community can access food directly, a nutrition for seniors program (they need their cheese!), a backpack program for kids to eat on weekends, and a school pantry, where kids can access food to bring home to their family. 20% of the food they provide is distributed to the public, and 80% goes to nonprofits in the area.
Shaye described the new facility, a completion of Phase 1, giving Second Harvest the ability to house more frozen and refrigerated food. Second Harvest will soon start Phase 2, construction of a new market set up (think grocery store) within the building providing another level of food access. The need for food programs such as Second Harvest Northland has seen an increase of 35% over the last 5 years, due to inflation, causing families to get hit hard by food costs, and SNAP changes, especially recent SNAP benefits being suspended, resulting in an even higher demand during that time. Exacerbating the local food access emergency: abrupt loss of Ruby's Pantry. The new facility sees over 1,200 neighbors each week.
Volunteers are always a welcomed addition to the work. Fundraising continues as they are only at 60% of their $20 million goal.
Shaye Morris, presenter of the day, president and CEO of Second Harvest Northland, and traveler of the world!
Over the past two decades, Rotary Club #25 of Duluth has helped to provide over 50,000 meals for families, children and seniors throughout the Northland thanks to Rotarians’ generous financial and volunteer contributions.
There were some poignant conversations among friends before the presentation discussing perspective. Perspective of realizing we all have different experiences, different challenges, and different privileges. As we ended the meeting, we reflected on what it would feel like to wake up every day not knowing where your next meal is coming from… How that food insecurity would affect a young child in school day after day, and what it would mean to them, just to feel the satisfaction of a full belly. That is why we do the work that we do.
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