Four Reports Reveal Broken Promises to Hungry Children and Opportunity for Change

Lisa Goddard
Advocacy and Online Marketing Director

Child Nutrition Programs are meant to be a safety net for families struggling to nourish their children. You may be wondering how these programs work, or think they fall short of fulfilling their promise to feed hungry children.  Four reports were released this month, providing an in-depth analysis as well as recommendations for improvements.

Child Food Insecurity: The Economic Impact on Our Nation, by Feeding America, reveals the impact of food insecurity and hunger on child health, growth and development, and details the economic effect of child hunger in the United States.  This is the first report to link food insecurity and hunger to tax-payer burdens, life-time earnings and other long-term economic issues. 

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) released Ending Childhood Hunger by 2015:  The Essential Strategies for Achieving the President’s Goal. This report is the first in-depth look at a comprehensive and realistic strategy to achieve President Obama’s goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015.

Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation:  Summer Nutrition Status Report 2009 (by FRAC) provides in-depth analysis of an average 2.9 million children (190,174 in Texas) relying on summer nutrition programs in July 2008.  Texas ranks 42 out of 51 states (data counts District of Columbia as a state) in participation, forfeiting millions of dollars in unclaimed summer nutrition funding.

School’s Out… Who Ate?  A Report on Summer Nutrition in California analizes the decline in participation of the federal summer lunch program in California. So why should Texans care? The problems faced in California are not typical and the obstacles states face in achieving full participation in federal feeding programs require adequate resources, funding and community support.

In our own backyard, Agriculture Commissioner, Todd Staple’s rallying cry to Texas Mayors to support summer feeding programs, and the offer of a donation from H-E-B to the top three cities with the largest increase in summer meals served, it was not enough to offset budget cuts in the program.  Austin-based Urban Connection chronicles their recent challenge participating in the program in response to the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department cutting back on the number of feeding sites from 84 to 14.

The message in all of these reports are clear — Child hunger is preventable and unnecessary in the United States.  We have the solutions. We just need the social will.

What are we doing about it?
The Food Bank and Texas Food Bank Network has agreed on a set of detailed policy changes for improving the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act, due to expire this September.  Read the recommendations here.

What can you do about it? 
Click here to send your message to Congress.

What we’re reading: July 2009

CAFB staffers like their biz books. Here’s an inside look into some of our book shelves.

Kerri Qunell, VP Communications recommends:
Not Everyone Gets a Trophy: How to Manage Generation Y
By Bruce Tulgan

“Generation Y, whose members were born between 1978 and 1990, can be difficult to manage. Bruce Tulgan, a writer and management training consultant, offers not only a colorful portrait of this unique group, but also shows companies how to harness its power.

Tulgan says Gen Y-ers were raised in overprotected environments with parents who respected their every word and deed. He says Gen Y employees tend to have high expectations for themselves, don’t necessarily respect authority, and often take a short-term view on paying their dues. These factors can create generational tension, especially with older workers.

Go here for more info on the book, including the fourteen most common myths about Generation Y in the workplace, and Tulgan’s actionable best practices to bring out the best in today’s young talent.”

 

Glenda Shayne, VP Community Programs recommends:
8th Habit, From Effectiveness to Greatness
By Steven Covey

“I love this book because it’s all about supervision. He emphasizes the need to know your own voice and inspire the people you supervise to find their’s, so they can become great leaders.”

 

Kim Willis, Communications Coordinator recommends:
Groundswell
By Charlene LI and Josh Bernoff

“LI and Bernoff define groundswell as ‘a spontaneous movement of people using online tools to connect, take charge of their own experience, and get what they need — information, support, ideas, products, and bargaining power — from each other. The groundswell is broad, ever-shifting, and ever-growing. It encompasses blogs, and wikis; podcasts and YouTube; and consumers who rate products, buy and sell from each other, write their own news, and find their own deals.’

This book explains social technology, what to do about it, as well as offer ways to use it succesfully in your company. Join the global phenomenon they call groundswell – it’s so much fun.”

 

Aimy Steadman, Online Development Coordinator recommends:
Texas Organic Gardening
By Howard Garrett

“This book is an easy-to-read reference for plants and plant care in Texas. This was a much more useful tool to me than many other gardening books as the pests, heat and land that we deal with in Texas call for special measures not usually discussed. The book includes:

• Which varieties of vegetables can survive the Texas summers
• An easy to make organic pest solution that can be used in most cases
• Tips on working with the land and water resources you already have available 
   

And it’s great for Texas gardeners looking for a good resource for organic food gardening.”

 

Molly Robbins, Community Events Coordinator recommends:
Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life)
By Cathie Black

“Basic Black encourages you to take every day and be as creative with it as possible.  Cathie Black, president of Hearst Magazines, encourages you to look for ways to stand out from the crowd and gain the trust of those around you in order to get ahead in your career and in life.  This book is stacked with significant tips and humorous stories to illustrate her point and is definitely a fun read.”

 

Chelsea Cates, Agency Relations Representative recommends:
They Don’t Teach Corporate in College
By Alexandra Levit

“This is a great book for those new to the work force (i.e., recent graduates) or those who want to brush up on professionalism in the workplace. It has information that, once read, seems obvious but is practical to develop professionally. This book addresses the basic human resources topics my business degree didn’t cover. It also includes sample documents and funny stories of do’s and don’t’s.”

 

Lisa Goddard, Advocacy and Online Marketing Director recommends:
School Lunch Politics: The Surprising History of America’s Favorite Welfare Program (Politics and Society in Twentieth Century America)
By Susan Levine

“School Lunch Politics is a history timeline of the beginnings of nutrition science and the establishment of the National School Lunch Program in 1946.  Learn about the politics and culture of food, and how federal priorities have shaped what school children eat.  If you enjoyed Fast Food Nation, you will probably enjoy this book as well.

Factoids:

• The desire to assimilate immigrants into American culture shapes the foods that were available (and are still served) through the school lunch program.
• Federal focus on child hunger did not become a priority until the World War I draft resulted in candidates being turned away due to poor nutrition.”

“I’ve never had to ask before.”

Our friends, family and neighbors continue to lose their jobs, and, as a result, many seek food assistance for the first time. Do you know someone who needs help with food?

Here are a few suggestions on how to ease possible tensions and/or embarrassment:

• Help them navigate through all the available resources. It may seem daunting, but it’s worth the effort.
• Create a packet of information, including food pantry locations, 2-1-1 info, Food Stamp application and upcoming job fairs (if applicable) and give it to them.
• Let them know they’re not alone – 40 percent more people are receiving food assistance (than this time last year), many for the first time.
• Tell them that some food pantries, like CAFB East Austin Service Center, have a client choice program that allows you to choose what you want. Receiving food there is much like going to the grocery store.

For more information on available resources, click here.

Today! Tweet #twitterforfood to support the Food Bank.

Today, the second Twitter For Food event is happening on the popular social network, Twitter.  As you know, food bank donations are down and the need is up.  About 100 million more people worldwide are going hungry this year as compared to last, and with the poor economy, donations for food have dropped. 

You can help.
Tweet this cause using #twitterforfood in your tweets.

Twitter for Food is asking you to skip a meal and use the savings to fund hunger relief  through your local food bank.

Don’t forget to tell your friends!

 

 

Inventory control: It’s more than just counting cans.

Food Bank volunteers took the day off so operations crew could take inventory. Nearly 2 million pounds of food and grocery products were counted at the CAFB warehouse on South Congress Avenue.

Why do we check inventory?

Like any for-profit business, inventory control is key to controlling expenses and operations efficiency. We place a high value on inventory and its quality because the stakes are high. Sound inventory means our Partner Agencies are receiving exactly what they need, and hungry Central Texans are getting a good wholesome product. Every product that comes into the Food Bank is inspected, sorted, cleaned, labeled, organized and placed on shelves.

We also measure the accuracy of inbound food (like donations from your food drives). Our inventory process allows us to share with you the impact of your efforts. For example, one pound of food donated provides approximately .8 meals.

How often do we check inventory?

Because our Partner Agencies order almost every day, we check inventory (on smaller levels) daily and weekly. When an order is fulfilled, product is pulled to replace it. Every step in this process is tracked. Our pounds-per-month vary, depending on the season. When we’re in disaster relief mode, inventory is monitored daily. At any given time, our South Congress warehouse can hold up to 2 million pounds of food and grocery supplies, and if needed, we could distribute the entire stock in one month.

Interesting Inventory Insights:

• For the last two years, CAFB received four Feeding America awards for operations efficiency.
• According to Feeding America, we’re number three in the nation, behind New York and Houston, in produce distribution.
• With the increased need, we also store food at warehouses in two additional locations.

Real Story: Arthur Lee Ford

Arthur Ford is a native Texan and a veteran of the Persian Gulf War. His military experience left him with some mental health problems, and now, he lives in an all men’s East Austin boarding home.

Because Arthur is unable to hold a job, he visits the East Austin Service Center (EASC) to pick up groceries for himself and the other men in his house. Some weeks, he has to wait awhile (in line) until it’s his turn. He passes the time by singing for everyone standing outside. “They say I should be on American Idol!” he said.

Arthur says that waiting in line is worth it for the high quality of food and services he receives from EASC. 

“This is a good pantry,” he said. “They even cater to you. They walk you through and let you pick what you like! I think they’re doing a terrific job issuing so many people food!”

Looking for a Partner Agency near you? Click here.

For Austin: Deputy Mayor for Philanthropy and Social Sector services

From David Davenport
President and CEO

Fifteen months ago, I moved to Austin to take over the reigns of Capital Area Food Bank. Topping my list of reasons for making the move from Houston was the quality and capabilities of the staff and the strength of the organization built by my predecessor Judy Carter. Also factoring into the important thought process was my desire to live and work in a city that strives to be the most livable city in country. Any city with such a stated vision is worth a serious look.

Austin’s core values and culture of innovation coupled with a commitment to a high quality of life makes our community unique among Texas cities and cities across our country. But with all our greenness, quirkiness, uniqueness and weirdness we must still face the important and painful reality that the quality of life embraced so strongly here in Austin does not extend to all our city’s residents. Not even close.

Source: Austin TX Homes

At a candidate forum sponsored by the Austin Area Human Service Association (AAHSA) then Mayoral candidate Lee Leffingwell seemed to “get it”. He made it clear that even in difficult times the city would stay committed to maintaining funding for key human service organizations providing critical programs and services to our neighbors in need. I applaud that stated commitment. I recognize these are challenging times and governmental budgets are tight (like those of organizations like CAFB) but I feel the need to come forward with a bold proposal that I hope our new Mayor will embrace.

Austin needs a Deputy Mayor for Philanthropy and Social Sector services.

This critically important position would strategically coordinate the resources of our great community to achieve an improved quality of life for all our city’s residents. Nearly as important, Austin will once again set the example by being the model for other cities to follow. 

There’s nothing weird about it – it‘s just good business.

Let’s take this important step together as a community. Let’s get to work extending the quality of life that so many of us enjoy to all our residents. Let’s be innovative, gutsy, creative, committed and inclusive. Let’s live our values and make the vision of a livable city for all a reality.

Delays are not Defeat

For many Americans, and especially Texans, Juneteenth is a special time to reconnect with the community and celebrate our common bond of freedom. Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of Texas slaves, commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement through a wide array of activities.

Source: City of Austin website

In Central Texas, the official Juneteenth celebration includes a poetry slam, essay contest and quiz bowl honoring James Farmer, Jr., the fourteen year old college student portrayed in the film The Great Debaters  (2007). And of course, what celebration wouldn’t be complete without food! In backyards and parks across Texas, you can smell the aroma baked beans, barbecue chicken, potato salad, collard greens and corn bread.

Juneteenth is a good reminder that detours and delays should not discourage us from our goal for a hunger-free community. We can do it.

Have a happy and safe Juneteenth!

Headed to H-E-B to do a little grocery shopping?

From now until June 28, you can help end hunger by tearing-off $1, $3 or $5 coupons displayed at every H-E-B register (in Texas) and adding the amount to your final grocery bill. 

Watch the video –

All funds collected will be awarded to food banks servicing the community where the funds are raised.  Funds from Austin-area H-E-B stores will benefit the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas.

Happy shopping!

Father’s Day: Forget the wallet and BBQ pit this year. Give back. We can help.

Aimy Steadman
Online Development Coordinator

Father’s Day is June 21. If your dad is like mine, I know he doesn’t need another “As Seen on TV” gadget to add to his collection in the garage. If your dad already has enough “stuff,” another way to celebrate his honor is to support causes in his community.

I know my dad would enjoy spending time with my sister and me for Father’s Day. I’m a new employee at the Food Bank, and my dad is curious about how my role makes a difference and wants to see what the Food Bank is all about. Did you know the Food Bank offers several opportunities for families to spend time together while giving back to their community? 

 John Steadman, my dad

You can:

Volunteer as a family. Children as young as eight can help sort food donations. You can get a behind-the-scenes look at how food donations from the community get to hungry Central Texans. Your family will share a common bond while doing something worthwhile for others.

Host a Food & Fund Drive. You and your father can collect non-perishable food items and cash donations from your friends and neighbors and help feed hungry Central Texans.

Make a tribute donation.  Make a tribute to your father by donating, the Food Bank will send him a card in the mail letting him know about your gift. Every $5 you donate provides $25 of nutritious food to our hungry neighbors. 

Grow & Give. The Food Bank has a new program for gardeners to donate fresh produce from their harvest. My dad and I recently started some gardening projects together, and it’s been a great way to connect and learn new skills together.
 
Consider celebrating your dad this Father’s Day through giving back to your community. I will!