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Applied in 2007

Food Pantry Network/ Education and Advocacy

ACCESS of West Michigan

Program Facts

  • Paid (FTE) Staff Working: 2.5
  • Program Participants Last Year: 198000
  • Meets about 1 time(s) with each participant per month
  • Participants remain in the program for 0 months

Volunteers

Volunteers per month: 200

Volunteers are trained:

Volunteer Training
AlwaysRarely

Volunteers are actively recruited:

Volunteer Recruiting
AlwaysRarely

Board Activities

  • Formally reviews the performance of the chief executive officer at least once every two years.
  • Formally approves the budget.
  • Ensures that arrangements with outside fund raising firms are made in writing.
  • Has formally approved a conflict of interest policy and regularly monitors it to ensure adherence.
  • Receives, at least quarterly, the organization's financial statement.
  • Receives, at least annually, an auditor's management letter and report.

Outcomes & Measures: (self-reported)

Outcome 1
People in need of emergency food are effectively and efficiently served

Measure
United Way's Monthly Unmet Needs Report indicate 98% of requests are met

Outcome 2
Clients are encouraged to participate in educational skills-training opportunities

Measure
Pantries keep records of attendence

Outcome 3
Community is engaged in responding to hunger needs

Measure
County Wide Food Drive involves 1700 volunteers collecting 100 tons of food in a single day. Food For Families Food Drive inconjunction with TV13 and Spartan Stores collects 100 tons of food and Care Week food drive involves 25 schools collecting 25 tons of food.

Outcome 4
Food Stamp Outreach enrolls 20 new households per month

Measure
Monthly reports to Department of Human Services

Outcome 5
Poverty Simulation Workshops provide a powerful hands-on experience of the challenges of living in poverty

Measure
Participants' evaluations after each workshop indicate high level of success.

Change Process: (self-reported)

There are many examples that demonstrate change. I will share a few. Our Food Stamp Outreach worker often visits homebound individuals who are in need of food assistance and assists them in filing the necessary paper work. Through the collaboration of various agencies, kind neighbors, and our staff, one of these individuals is now receiving food stamps and no longer has to choose between food and medications. Our caseworkers helped a single mom, who was a degreed social worker at a local agency, with funds for her mortgage. Through the collaboration of many churches, across various denominations, this mom doesn't have to worry about where she and her children will live and can concentrate on quality time with her children. At our Pantry Resource Centers, piecing together a healthier life is one goal sought to achieve. Through the collaboration of local agencies, neighboring pantries, and churches, clients can "one stop shop" and get nearly all their needs met. Our Pantry Resources Centers offer food, and skills for living, budgeting, parenting, and other hands-on classes as well as information and referrals