Second Harvest North Florida Volume 12 • Issue 5 • October 2011 www.WeNourishHope.org
Happenings
a newsletter for member agencies
Have you considered extending hours of operation?
The regular stream of bad economic news and lower-than-expected job reports support what you and I see each day at our agencies: times are hard and more people are counting on our network’s food distribution than ever before. While some of these new clients are homeless or unemployed, we know that many of them are moms or dads, families or older siblings who are
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working and really struggling to ensure that their households have enough to eat. For many of these clients, pantry hours during regular business hours do them no good – they’re at work! Please read this story we recently received and consider expanding your organization’s hours of operation to allow people like Elizabeth to get the help they need.
My family and I are in need of some food. We usually do alright ... however I have just transferred here with my job, and my husband is not working yet, so I’m the only one working and getting paychecks. He is home with the baby, and we have only one car. I have contacted [one of your agencies] to help us, however, with my work schedule they told me they couldn’t help me because they don’t deliver. I leave the house around 7 a.m. and don’t get home until after 6 (p.m.) so it is hard for me to make it the ministry to pick up food. I need to see if anyone is able to deliver food to our apartment, or if you have Saturday or late hours. We really need some help; we have a 3-year-old little girl and myself and my husband. Just trying to start out in a new place has set us back. Thank You. Please respond and let me know what options I have. I would be happy to pick it up on the way home.
In addition to addressing some important new policy updates, participants had the opportunity to network with other agencies and brainstorm possible new solutions to the problem of hunger. Again, thank you to all of you who attended – your participation and input made the conferences a great success!
Monday-Friday..............7:30 a.m. - noon
Important Dates:
Sept. 27 - Nov. 8, 2011 17th Annual Jaguars Family Food Drive presented by Winn-Dixie Nov. 15, 2011 27th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon, presented by Bank of America
Updates to Website:
We’ve updated the agency website! Visit members.WeNourishHope.org to access our new agency search tool, access the purchase program, download forms and look at Frequently Asked Questions. User Name: Second Password: Harvest
New Policies:
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2011 Member Agency Conferences a great success Thank you to all who attended our recent agency conferences. More than 220 people attended the Jacksonville event, and more than 40 people attended the St. Augustine gathering. Special thanks to Household of Faith and Pie in the Sky for coordinating the spaces!
Second Harvest Hours of Operation:
Second Harvest’s Agency Policy Manual went in to effect on Oct. 1, 2011. Those who haven’t returned the receipt and agreement form, note that your agency will be unable to access Second Harvest’s services until you do. Do not forget that all agencies are required to track their clients and are responsible to begin submitting online reports. Food pantries, mobile pantries and other direct-to-client distribution programs must track the total number of households served and number of individuals that comprise those households. These numbers must be backed up by sign-in sheets or other similar documentation. Agencies that serve meals must track the total number of meals and/or snacks served but are not required to keep a sign-in sheet. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Second Harvest Agency Relations staff.
WE STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I TRY TO FEED MY KIDS FIRST AND ME LAST.” “I WORK WITH CLIENTS WHO DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO EAT. THEY ARE CHILDREN AND MANY TIMES THEY CAN N ONCENTRATE ON THEIR STUDIES, BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN THE HOME.” “IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN [THAT WE HAVE TO USE THE FOOD BANK], ONLY WHEN WORK SLOWS DOW WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO AVOID IT.” “WE STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I TRY TO FEED MY KIDS FIRST AND ME LAST.” “I WORK WITH CLIENTS WHO DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO EAT. THEY A HILDREN AND MANY TIMES THEY CAN NOT CONCENTRATE ON THEIR STUDIES, BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN THE HOME. “IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN [THAT WE HAVE TO USE THE FO