Published for the Friends and Volunteers of Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry
The Power of Community to Change Lives
Fall 2012
Client Survey Results Client feedback is an important consideration when staff and volunteers refine the food and program offerings at Loaves & Fishes. This summer, we spoke with 150 families who used our services from June 9th through July 3rd in the first comprehensive survey to include Pathways to Empowerment programs. We have highlighted a few of the responses below. More information on the survey is available on our website.
46%
Child Nutrition
of respondents had family members who were either currently in the military or were veterans
2/3 of families have children under 18 1/3 of parents have skipped a meal so a child could eat 87% use L&F during the school year
78%
50% of children would miss a meal without the summer nutrition program
Length of Time Clients Use L&F:
use Smart Check program in making healthy food choices
69%
31% < 6 months
learned about L&F from a friend or family member
57% 2xs/month
8% from internet
55% > 1 year
When Clients Prefer to Shop: 50% mornings 23% afternoons 16% weekends
26% 1/month 17% only as needed
Greatest obstacles families face in supporting themselves: 29%
Out of work/low income
18% Food/nutrition 14% Bills
Responses to scaled questions: 86%
Agree food from L&F improves family nutrition
95%
Agree they have more money for other essential household expenses because of L&F
97%
Felt they were treated with respect and dignity
What would you change about Loaves & Fishes? While no program is perfect, only one-third of respondents would change anything about Loaves & Fishes. See the contrast between 2010, in our old space, and current responses. 2012 Concerns Long wait Parking system Need more household items
2010 Concerns More shopping hours More produce and meat Greater variety of products requested
Loaves & Fishes Welcomes New Director of Development Please join us in welcoming Megan Selck, our new Director of Development. Megan comes to us from Cure Search, where she served as Regional Development Director/National Director of Fundraising Programs. Megan is a graduate of Elmhurst College “I am thrilled to be a part with a B.A. in of the Loaves & Fishes Interdisciplinary family and am looking Communications. forward to building upon She also holds an the vibrant development M.A. from Gonzaga program. These are University in exciting times and Loaves Organizational & Fishes is an exciting Leadership & place to be!” Megan Selck Development. Megan brings a decade of experience in fundraising, strategic planning, and events coordination, primarily in the health care field, for employers including the American Cancer Society. Among her volunteer commitments, Megan remains active at Elmhurst College, where she sits on the Alumni Board and is an Advisor of the Alpha Phi sorority. She also serves as Vice President – Community of the Junior League of Kane & DuPage Counties. Megan resides in Elburn with her husband, Andrew, and their son, 11-month-old Drew. 1