Neighbors Helping Neighbors Minutes

MINUTES

Neighbors Helping Neighbors (Food Pantry)
NHN Board Meeting
2:30 p.m. March 21, 2011
NHN Distribution Center

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Marsha Goodin offered the opening prayer.

Present: Louise Bolin, Virgil Goodin, Art Schneider, Marsha Goodin, Jeanne Pascale, Donald Dreyer, Wanda Vonderahe, Carmen Jones, Tom Priester and Mary Ann Kempf.
Excused Not Present: Joyce Roach, Dane Gregg.
Not Present: Randy Richards.
Call to Order: 2:33 p.m.
Any items to Add to the Agenda?: Added ACH -- Tom, Food Bank Form -- Virgil, Volunteer of Quarter -- All, Walk-in Refrigerator, Isle e-mail to Jeanne.
Old Business:
Minutes From February Board Meeting: Following corrections: Truman School did not prepare questionnaire. Prepared by Journalism School. (attached to minutes)
Benevolence Fund: Balance was $45.
Total January Hours: Donated changed from 370.85 to 393.
Distribution Dates: Corrected to May 3, 12, 21 and June 7, 16, 25.
Sandy Rikoon of M. U. Rural Sociology Department Food Pantry Study Update – Virgil: No update to report.
Truman School of Public Affairs Grant Writing Program Update -- Virgil: No update to report.
Treasurer’s Report -- Tom: He reported a checking balance of $2,878.13 in Alliant account, money market of $17,253.95 in Alliant Money Market and $8,143.43 in Citizens’ Community CDs. After this month all funds will be transferred to Alliant. Tom reported safe deposit box also will be transferred when Community Bank account is closed. Money market earned $12.17 in interest. Art moved Tom’s report be accepted, Wanda seconded. Passed unanimously.
ACH Deposit Form -- Tom: Tom said he is working with Alliant to design a simplified form for ACH deposits. He also reported that one donor has increased the monthly amount to $50 and that the monthly report will now have $186.
Food Pantry Tax Credit -- Art: Art was concerned about the amount of work required to prepare the food pantry tax credit forms. It took Tom and Jeanne several hours. He suggested there be an automatic end of year preparation after a certain amount was donated. After discussion, Don moved and Tom seconded that the NHN continue to prepare the forms the same way it was done this year next year.

Jeanne noted that the credit is scheduled to expire in August. It is periodically reviewed every two to three years. Jeanne also noted that there is a maximum of $2.5 million that can be credited; returns submitted after that ceiling is reached will not receive the credit.
Benevolence Fund -- Mary Ann: She reported that $17 was donated last month and the balance is now $62.
Grant Information -- Anything To Report?: Nothing to report.
Donated Food Weight -- Jeanne: February donation was 5,309 pounds (4,535 pounds from Super Wal-Mart plus 40 pounds of Bunny Bread).
Total Hours Donated in February -- Jeanne: 416 hours.
NHN Food Distribution in February -- Virgil: While the number of food recipients is down substantially, in partly due to the weather, Virgil and Marsha also noted that there were lots of new people coming to the pantry in February -- particularly from Nordyne. They also noted an abundance of food so that those coming through received substantial emergency boxes.
- Total Families Assisted: 202
- Total People Served: 580
- Thursday Distribution: 56 families
- Tuesday Distribution: 83 families
- Saturday Distribution: 43 families
- Emergency: 6 families
- Handicapped: 14 families
- Total Families on Supplemental Nutrition Education Program (SNAP) Formerly the Food Stamp Program: 116 families
- Total Families Receiving TANF: 12 families
Update on NHN Software Program Modifications -- Art: Art reported that nobody from the board attended the two training sessions. He reported that Paula would be swamped between now and the end of April with Extension reports. Virgil noted that Paula had done an excellent job and volunteered to teach NHN people how to use the system.
Copier – Printer – Virgil: He reported donation of printer/copier by Willard Spotts.
Grant Proposal City Council Gaming Funds – Tom: The city recommended $8,000 be approved. It will be before the full city council tonight. All funds must be used for food.
Volunteer Recognition Dinner -- Louise: She reported that 60 people attended the volunteer dinner. She also reported a $250 donation plus $111 additional dollars for the dinner. Cost charged was $177. Tom said he would create a separate account for banquet donations so they did not run through the operational budget. Mary Ann moved and Jeanne seconded that the board donate $50 to First Baptist Church for kitchen equipment in appreciation for the low cost and providing the meeting space.
Shadow for Treasurer: Tabled again. Virgil suggested the board be expanded and that emphasis be paced on a board member who could fill in for Tom if necessary.
Revised Addition to By-Laws: Board reviewed publicity donation change and moved “)” from end of Section D line 1 to after Cooper County Voice.

Below is corrected addition to by-laws. Tom moved and Wanda seconded that the proposed by-law change be made. Passed unanimously.

D. Publicity/Donation Committee:

Prepare and submit food pantry news releases to Cooper County media (KWRT, The Boonville Daily News, The Cooper County Voice) and KWIX-KRES and other media outlets deemed useful by the publicity committee.

Regularly communicate with officers and committees to generate public information, e.g. promoting fundraisers and food drives, volunteer of the month.

3. Prepare printed materials and, as possible, video and/or audio information about the food pantry and its programs.

Chairmanships and committee memberships shall be for one year from January to January. Members may be reappointed as chairs or members.

New Business
Partner Cooper County Healthy Lifestyles Initiative – Dane: Dane had to broadcast the Boonville Pirates game and could not be present. Art overviewed and noted that as a partner with the healthy lifestyle initiative the board could delete those sections that they would not accept. Art noted that this is part of the effort to form a collaborative partnership in which partners move beyond letters to support to enacting policies that further efforts to reduce poor nutrition and obesity, support physical activity and reduce or eliminate smoking. Mary Ann moved and Tom seconded motion to table to allow time for review and it will be placed on the agenda next month. Passed unanimously.
Volunteer of the Quarter: Mary Ann moved and Tom seconded that Stephen Tyler be named Volunteer of the Quarter. Passed unanimously.
Walk-In Refrigerator -- Art: Art said that there had been discussion at previous meetings on the need for a walk-in refrigerator. He asked board for authority to suggest this to the Truman School grantwriting team. Concurrence to do this.
Isle E-Mail to Jeanne: Jeanne received an e-mail from an Isle of Capri employee about volunteers from the casino. It was unclear whether the Isle wished to provide volunteers during the distribution hours or fundraising or? Jeanne will contact the Isle and get back to the board for its April meeting.
April 16 Clean-Up Boonville: Mary Ann suggested that food pantry volunteers who participate in the April 16th annual clean-up wear their pantry t-shirts.
Food Bank Form -- Virgil: Virgil and Marsha attended the annual food bank meeting with food pantries. Each year the food bank requires the member pantries adhere to food bank guidelines.

Virgil read and/or overviewed each of the following documents for approval:

Release Distribution Guidelines that require there be signage that pantry food is free. Can place donation jar, but it is not a requirement to receive food. Tom moved and Louisa seconded that this be approved. Approved unanimously.

Agency Ordering: Tom moved and Wanda seconded. Passed unanimously.

Transportation of Refrigerated Food: Art moved and Tom seconded that it be accepted. Passed unanimously.

Virgil will fill out the forms. Art requested copies for the Secretary’s minutes.

One-Third Page Flyers: The board reviewed the draft of one-third page flyers that will be used to promote the food pantry. Corrections were made. 400 copies will be prepared.
Adjournment: Tom moved and Mary Ann seconded that the board adjourn at 4:12 p.m. Passed.

Respectfully submitted:

Art Schneider
Board Secretary

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Donor Survey

Name:_______________________

Sex (circle one): Male Female

Age:

___ Under 20 ___ 20-30

___ 30-40 ___40-50

___ 60 or older

How often do you donate?

___ Less than 1-2 times/year

___ 1-2 times/year

___ 3-6 times/year

___ 6-11 times/year

___ Once a month

___ More than once a month

___ Once a week

___ More than once a week

I donate because… (Check all that apply.)

___ It’s the right thing to do

___ I know there is a need for food

___ I used to rely on food pantries/banks

___ I know someone who uses food pantries/banks

___ I want to make a difference in my community

___ I want to get rid of the extra food from my home

In what seasons are you most likely to donate? (Check all that apply.)

___ Winter ___ Spring

___ Summer ___ Fall

___ Around the Holidays

Do you consider the items you donate to be nutritional? Yes no

Do you think the items you donate could be incorporated into a meal? Yes no

What factors do you consider when donating? (Check all that apply.)

___ Nutritional needs of clients

___ Age of clients

___ Food people like to eat

___ Items that the pantries/food banks specifically need or have asked for

___ None of the above

What types of items do you donate? (Check all that apply.)

__ Fresh produce

__ Canned/frozen fruits/vegetables

__ Soup

__ Other canned goods

__ Bread

__ Milk

__ Juice

__ Meat

__ Frozen/boxed meals

__ Dessert Items

__ Dried Pasta

__ Pasta Sauce

__Cereal

__ PB&J

__ Baking supplies

__ Baby food/formula

__ Other: _______________________
________________________

Why do you donate those items? (Check all that apply.)

___ Convenience

___ Left over in my pantry

___ Low price

___ Seems like a practical item to donate

___ I know there is a specific need for this item

___ My family enjoys eating this item

___ Other: _____________________

______________________

If you knew of a specific, nutritional food item that was specifically needed by the food pantries/food bank, would you make an effort donate that item?

__ No

__ Probably Not

__ Maybe

__ Probably

__ Yes

If you would be willing to answer more questions about your donating motivations/habits etc. please leave a method for us to contact you.

Phone Number:____________

Email____________________

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Promoting Health & Wellness

A Memorandum of Understanding among Cooper County governments, schools, businesses, health services, organizations and the Cooper County Healthy Lifestyles Initiative

WHEREAS, Cooper County has higher obesity rates and lower access to healthy foods, and Missouri average, and

WHEREAS, the Cooper County economy benefits from a healthy and physically active populace with citizens who are more energetic and productive employees and place fewer demands on the health care system, and

WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States during the past 20 years. In 1985, Missouri had an obesity rate of less than 18% and in 2009 more than 30%, (more than 36 % African American) and

WHEREAS, obesity may soon supplant smoking as the number one cause of preventable death in the United States, and

WHEREAS, beyond the negative impact on quality of life and productivity, obesity is linked to chronic, yet preventable, diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and cancer, and

WHEREAS, as elected officials, schools, businesses and health service providers, we shape the communities that impact our lives, and

WHEREAS, research shows the positive link between community design and increased physical activity in that even those who dislike being active are more active when they live in compact, walkable areas, as are children that live close to parks and to their school, and

WHEREAS, a critical step towards a healthy and active populace is making walking and cycling safe within our communities by adopting appropriate street standards for transportation infrastructure to be used in new developments and in street reconstruction, and

WHEREAS, our decisions also impact the ease and safety with which our residents can walk or bicycle to and from school, work, the local grocery store, and to other daily activities and recreation, and

WHEREAS, our land use decisions impact the location, availability, and accessibility of health foods and we can improve our citizens’ access to health foods by working proactively to site stores, markets, gardens and farms within our communities, and

WHEREAS, we recognize that many locally grown foods place fewer demands on the natural environment and have significant economic benefits to Cooper County’s economy, and

WHEREAS, we wield great influence with the employers in our community who can work with us as partners, taking their own steps to make the work environment healthier for employees, and

WHEREAS, we are partners with our school districts in caring for our greatest legacy: the children in our communities, and

WHEREAS, recognizing that collaborations involve sharing and supporting all members, local partners who have a web page that I under their authority, agree to put on the home page a linkage to the Copper County Healthy Lifestyle Initiative: PARTNER: Cooper County Healthy Lifestyles Initiative (CHeLI)

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the undersigned elected officials, recreation and health providers, educators, businesses and organizations (hereinafter referred to as “we”) agree to act in a strategic and concerted effort to promote policies, programs and by pursuing environmental changes that encourage healthy eating and promote active living. To further these goals we intend to take voluntary actions, individually and collectively. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

IMPLEMENTING OR PARTICIPATING IN PROGRAMS OR PROJECTS THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING & ACTIVE LIVING BY:

A. Hosting a healthy community forum or developing a citizen advisory committee to identify local efforts to advance healthy eating and active living;

B. Co-sponsoring or being involved in active living events such as family fun runs and walks, periodically closing certain streets or parks to motorized vehicles, and other fitness or outdoor recreation activities.

C. Promoting citizen participation in community based health awareness and educational screenings.

D. Participating in community based healthy eating and active living programs.

E. Mapping out and promoting healthy eating and active living resources and events, including national health awareness programs, such as National Fruit and Vegetable Month, in our community and making this information available to citizens through newsletters, maps, online resources, etc.;

F. Raising awareness of health eating among lower income and vulnerable populations, who are at higher risk for obesity and related chronic diseases, and underscore that food stamp and assistance programs are available to help meet their basic nutritional needs;

G. Implementing elements of a worksite wellness program for our employees, such as;

· Offering a weight loss and weight management support through our local health care providers;

· Providing access to smoking cessation programs;

· Developing and strongly promoting an annual Health Risk Assessment and/or wellness assessment program for employees;

· Promoting walking and cycling as commuting options and break-time activities for employees and, when practical, providing supportive facilities such as access to recreation centers, lockers, showers and bike racks;

· Supporting a pedometer or fitness challenge among government departments or staff with incentives for participation.

ADOPTING POLICIES THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING & ACTIVE LIVING BY:

A. Establishing healthy meeting guidelines that promote healthy and portion-controlled fare at government meetings and promoting a “stand and move” time as a break or while conducting business during meetings more than 1.5 hours.

B. Instituting a policy that vending machines on public property must contain a significant percentage of healthy food options and, when practical, that these selections be labeled as “healthy” and promoted at eye-level;

C. Encouraging consumption of fresh, local, healthy foods in government and business buildings by positing information about healthy eating or by working with local producers to provide fresh and healthy foods to city employees;

D. Supporting efforts by state legislators and school districts to implement policies to ensure that snacks and cafeteria fare meet or exceed appropriate nutritional guidelines with special emphasis on locally grown foods.

E. Supporting the drafting of letters and adoption of resolutions that support healthy eating and active eating and active living legislation at the state and federal levels;

F. Hosting meetings that engage public health, planning and transportation officials to fostering collaboration and promote information sharing on best practices;

G. Making access to healthy foods and recreation opportunities community development priorities;

H. Encouraging the adoption and implementation of land use and/or transportation changes that allow for access of residents at all incomes to grocery stores, farmers markets, corner stores and other sources of fresh, health foods; and

I. Incorporating language in the comprehensive, land use, transportation, and/or parks and recreation plans and regulations that implement policies to promote “active living environments” that enable people of all ages and abilities to obtain physical activity as part of their daily routines.

CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT SUPPORTIVE OF HEALTHY EATING & ACTIVE LIVING BY:

A. Supporting bike-to-work and bike/walk-to-school programs and events;

B. Working with our parks departments, Y, and school districts to co-locate facilities within our communities in order to promote pedestrian and bicycle access;

C. Working with local schools and school districts to coordinate community use of school facilities to promote exercise;

D. Supporting local farmers markets that improve access to healthy, locally grown fruits and vegetables and partnering with the food stamp program and Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food Pantry;

E. Working with community groups to develop and support community gardens, particularly in poorer neighborhoods or those that lack access to fresh produce;

F. Partnering with coalitions and advocacy groups that can provide resources or logistical support for healthy eating and active living efforts;

G. Inviting citizens of all ages to join us on a “walk ability” and/or “bike ability” audit to identify barriers to walking in our communities, discuss opportunities for positive change and plan next steps;

H. Partnering with the Cooper County Public Health Center, Cooper County Memorial Hospital, university, or nonprofits in conducting a health impact assessment as part of our development review in an effort to develop and implement a health foods access plan.

Date: ____________________________ Printed Name: ________________________

Organization: ________________________ Signature__________________________

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