Anti-Hunger Coalition

MEETING SUMMARY

Anti-Hunger Coalition June 16, 2009 9:00 A.M.

In attendance Patricia Beebe, Charlie Copeland, Amar Shah, Kirk Wilborne, Tom Southard, Jean Warren, Debra Spence, Margi Prueitt, Fred Sears, Gela Petruce (for Mario Matos), Jim Coyne, Lisa White, Karen Curtis, Kelly Whitmarsh, Judy Hurd

Guests Anne Killeen, Naty Russo, Crystal Timmons, Charlotte McGarry, Jim Weir, Noah Mathay

Welcome Patricia Beebe, CEO of the Food Bank of Delaware, welcomed all in attendance and called the meeting to order at 9:15 A.M.

Kelly Whitmarsh, volunteer and graduate student at the University of DE, presented information on the results of her Anti-Hunger Coalition Survey. The survey agenda consisted of goals, results, analysis and recommendations and discussion. The goals of the survey were to provide a mechanism for feedback from entire group, provide a snapshot of current state of our collaboration, and to provide ongoing stakeholder identification work. The majority of the survey participants felt that now was a good time to address the issues. Other results included majority agreed that we have the right method for communicating the activities and decisions of the group and task groups to all members; most agreed that there are clearly defined roles. The question – what one change would most improve the effectiveness of this collaborative effort? Was answered by: Communication – increase marketing about our efforts to build support and awareness through media channels, and a newsletter to all members. Involve more stakeholders, i.e., personnel from State agencies that implement federal programs; workers in the trenches; those affected by hunger; those that can help us learn about barriers to good nutrition. The survey was broken down into the 5 subgroups: Benefit Bank, Produce & Fresh Foods, Grocery & Food Rescue, Community Based Food Programs, and Feeding Children with the following categories: Stakeholder Name; What We Need from Them; Importance of Involvement.

Analysis and Recommendations: The current status of the collaboration is strong with very positive feedback:  Now is the time to act  Communication within the groups is effective  Structure and strategic focus of the coalition is on target Future considerations for our continued path to success:  Further dialogue about roles and responsibilities and staffing needs  Invite critical players  Periodic, ongoing surveys to keep gathering feedback

Kirk Wilborne reported that he was planning to organize a Regional Conference to share information across the states and asked if that would be something this coalition would be amiable to. Karen Curtis asked if there were other committees such as this in the other regions. Kirk answered that there were. Kirk also noted that his administrator, Yvette Jackson, was very supportive in this effort. Patricia Beebe thought this was a great initiative and that it would enable us to learn from each other.

Subcommittee Reports:

Produce/Fresh Foods – Charlotte McGarry noted that her committee met on June 10, 2009 in Secretary Ed Kee’s office. The members agreed to take advantage of two programs that are being utilized in 49 states already: the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) and Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). These programs would provide increased access to fresh produce for both low-income groups and would also increase farmer income, as well as state income through federal funds. State plans must be submitted by a state agency for each plan by November 15, 2009 to USDA. State plan reviews are to be completed within 30 days of submission. Charlotte stated that their goal was to submit both state plans by September 15, 2009 for next Federal fiscal year.

1 Some states are using the Department of Agriculture and others the Department of Health. Secretary Kee is working with the Health and Social Services Department to see who would administer the program. Currently, the money is provided to the eligible member through a check or voucher. There is not an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) function available at this time. Carol Smith is the WIC and Farmers’ Market Outreach Coordinator. The committee has requested state plan examples from USDA Mid-Atlantic Regional Office and Washington State. Secretary Kee will work with Secretary Landgraf in identifying which state department will take ownership of each program plan and administration.

Kirk Wilborne asked if the WIC Director, Joanne White, was going to be part of this process. Charlotte said that she will be through Secretary Rita Landgraf.

Benefit Bank Subcommittee: Patricia Beebe introduced Margi Prueitt and asked her to give an update on their committee meetings. Margi reported that the subcommittee has been renamed E-Benefits Solution to better reflect the process of exploring all viable vendors. The goal of this project is to increase the number of individuals in the State of Delaware who are aware of and apply for benefits to which they are entitled. There are two vendors that Margi is researching; Solutions for Progress – The Benefit Bank (TBB) and Single Stop – Benefits Enrollment Network (BEN). Currently developing questions to be asked to determine which is the best product. Margi stated the committee is hopeful there is stimulus money available for this project. Debra Spence remarked that there is no rhyme or reason for who becomes the recipient of the stimulus funds. To date there has been one Federal grant submitted. There is also a need to have a strong state champion for this effort.

Grocery/Food Rescue Subcommittee: Noah Mathay and Jim Weir reported that brochures have been created in regards to food rescue. The goals of this committee include educating potential partners about the program; identify a manageable number of potential partners such as restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, schools, and farmers markets; expand the number of partners participating. They plan to visit other food banks to see how they run their rescue programs. Jim Weir noted that we have approximately 15 partners right now. They key is to get the food in then get it out as quickly as possible. Julie Miro Wenger had a meeting with the manager of Dover Downs who was excited about the project.

Q. Fred Sears asked if we were going to be in competition in this process with other agencies such as Brother Ronald? A. Jim stated that we have a sister share program where the agency is contacted to pick up the food directly. Q. Debra Spence asked if we have a list of who the drop off agencies are? A. Jim noted that we try to determine what type of donation it is and contact the agency to see if they can handle it or make use of it. Q. Fred Sears asked if we were also targeting the Wilmington Country Club and Dupont County Club. A. Noah replied that was his goal to make these areas aware of our rescue food efforts – it is really about education. Fred will talk with the country clubs.

Jim Weir noted that we are already receiving donations from the Wal-Mart Distribution Centers and we have a driver that picks up from nine Food Lion Supermarkets. We also have Super G and Parthmark donating.

Community Based Food Programs Subcommittee: Tom Southard stated their committee met on June 4 to set their goals and objectives. The committee will assess the current available resources such as the Delaware Helpline, State Service Centers and the Food Bank. The committee discussed creating a good list of programs containing information such as name, address, program, operating funds, number served and qualifying criteria. After the list is compiled they will then analyze where there are gaps and make suggestions to the AHC on where programs are needed. Goals included creating a comprehensive listing of programs available; assessing programs and analyzing gaps; making recommendations to fill gaps to Anti-Hunger Coalition. The goal is to have this work completed by October 2009.

Lisa White commented that the Food Bank of Delaware Agency Listing was a good place to start. Her clients are very resourceful and know where to go for their needs. Patricia Beebe stated that she was concerned about the people losing their jobs that have never had to access our benefits before. Debra Spence remarked that there will be in excess of 2000 individuals over the next two weeks that will lose their supplemental benefits - is there enough food and do they know how to access this? There is a definite need to find answers quickly. How can we make sure the information is being shared with those who need it? Patricia remarked that the Food Bank will be at the meeting Debra Spence is having. The State does not know what to do.

Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of accessing the stimulus money. Debra Spence stated that people hear the concept of stimulus money, but there are strings attached in applying for the money that one cannot begin to overcome. Kirk Wilborne noted there are a lot of people doing different things out there, but money is short. Tom Southard agreed that the conference needed to happen immediately.

2 Children’s Feeding Programs: Programs include After School Feeding Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Backpack Program. Amar Shah reported that his committee has had two meetings, May 11, 2009 and June 8, 2009. Their primary focus to date has been on the Children’s Backpack Program. There are 631 participants at 13 different locations – goal is to raise that number to 1300 participants. The food is packaged in zip lock bags by a food bank in Tennessee at a cost of $4.27 per bag. Our total expense is $6.58 per bag. In order to increase the number of backpacks to 1300, we have to raise approximately $200,000. The committee will target and coordinate private sector fundraising with current Food Bank initiatives for leverage and to avoid any conflict of interest. One of the obstacles has been the teachers are too busy to put food bags into backpacks. Karen Hutchison has enlisted the help of Future Farmers of America to assist in loading backpacks and distributing in the schools. Committee is looking into identifying the poverty pockets in the State, identifying all schools that are currently at a 50% poverty rate, identifying charter schools and their poverty %’s. Poverty is defined as living in families with incomes below the federal poverty line ($21,200 for a family of four in 2008.) Another goal is to involve the Department of Education to help supply resources and broadcast the program to schools.

Q. Fred Sears asked if the committee had enough backpacks? Fred thought the new CVS Drug Store in Wilmington would be willing to donate backpacks. A. Backpacks are always needed, although, in some cases the smaller child, 5, 6, 7 years of age would rather have the food packed into their own backpack. Out of 118 backpacks, only 23 were needed.

Amar Shah and Fred Sears will meet with Anne Killeen to review list of private foundations who may provide this funding.

Patricia Beebe commented on two new reasons for having this anti-hunger coalition:

1. House of Representatives - created a bill to form a committee to study the feasibility of a Universal Breakfast program - rather than backing and funding the program 2. Congresswoman, Rosa DeLauro, chairwoman of the House Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration has marked up the CSFP – Commodity Supplemental Food Program. The bill includes record funding of $180 million for supplemental food for CSFP. To ensure that more families receive the support they need during this period of economic stress, the bill also provides funding to expand this assistance in 32 states currently in the program and 6 new states with USDA-approved feeding plans: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Delaware, Utah, New Jersey and Georgia.

Strategic Objectives for Moving Forward: Karen Curtis asked if the task forces have outlined some goals that they are going to pursue. Does the full coalition want to prioritize the work of these task forces, i.e., the Community Based Programs? Fred Sears noted that all of the groups have to keep moving at the same speed. Amar remarked that each of the task forces has committed to work on their priorities. Patricia encouraged all groups to bring on people from the outside. Most task forces will be doing work over the summer. Karen asked if we should have the next full Anti-Hunger Coalition meeting in September. Everyone agreed the next meeting should be in September. It was noted that people from local government had not participated so far. Karen asked if there were other individuals that should be on the coalition. It was suggested we have at least one or two individuals from city government in Wilmington. Debra Spence will talk to the Mayor about putting someone else on the committee. Patricia noted that someone from Nemours should be asked to be on the committee. Pat is meeting with Pat Redmond from Nemours to collaborate on opportunities for funding.

Fred Sears suggested members of Christiana Care Hospital team - Lyn Jones, Sr. VP of Christiana Care Hospital VNA. Kelly Whitmarsh suggested Michelle Schivoni, VP of Corp. Communications and/or someone from the HIV/AIDS clinic. As you think of people, let Patricia know so that she can contact them.

Karen will do a time line showing who is doing what and when. Meeting was adjourned at 11:45 AM.