food outreach
What is a Food Outreach distribution?
Second Harvest Heartland (SHH) is committed to ending hunger through community partnerships. In order to achieve this mission, the organization has set goals to increase food distribution and ensure equitable access by people in need. Food Outreach is one way to increase the amount of supplemental food available to hungry families as well as support the efforts of food shelves to reach more people in need, especially in areas that may need additional resources. Every attempt will be made to establish a regular distribution schedule for each Food Outreach distribution so that it serves the community effectively. Prior to distribution, local partners and other appropriate agencies will be alerted so they can refer their clients to the Food Outreach distribution.
Which communities are eligible to host a Food Outreach distribution?
Currently the focus is on areas that may be considered “underserved” by Second Harvest Heartland, an America’s Second Harvest (A2H) Food Bank. Through the use of a formula that identifies the number of people living in poverty in a county and the number of pounds distributed in that county by an A2H food bank, the initial program focus will be on the counties that may benefit from additional food to reach a minimum threshold. If successful, SHH expects Food Outreach to expand beyond these initially identified areas as the program continues.
Where will Food Outreach be set up?
Capacity determines location. The program needs space to handle a distribution up to 24 pallets of food. Volunteers unload the SHH truck with items selected by SHH from their current inventory, set up the food, and distribute it to as many as 350 – 400 families during a two-hour distribution time. Many Food Outreach distributions are hosted by local churches. Local food shelves are encouraged to host a Food Outreach distribution.
How will Food Outreach affect the current distribution of products from Second Harvest Heartland, especially to partner food shelves within a community?
Food Outreach supplements the food that is regularly available to people by the local food shelf. Much of the product available at Food Outreach is surplus food that agencies do not regularly order, overstock items, close-dated and bulk items that are often difficult for food shelves to move. The items distributed will have all been available through the SHH ordering process.
Who is eligible to get food from a Food Outreach distribution?
All participating households are asked to register at the Food Outreach. Eligibility is household income that does not exceed federal poverty guidelines at 200 percent of poverty or a family identifying itself as “in crisis”. Participating households self-identify; no proof of income or residence is requested.
Is there a cost to host a Food Outreach distribution?
Yes. The host organization pays a nominal fee per Food Outreach distribution to help offset costs for transportation and handling. Cost is determined by volume of food distributed.
Where can I get more information about Food Outreach distributions?
Please contact one of our Food Outreach Site Coordinators.
Patricia Pearson
651.209.7915
ppearson@2harvest.org
Wendy Ogren
651.209.7910
wogren@2harvest.org
Food Outreach FAQs » 
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