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Thinking about starting an emergency food program?
 Investing time and energy
Operating an emergency food pantry is hard work and involves much time, effort and planning. If you are interested in operating an emergency food pantry, you are to be commended for your energy and compassion as well as your desire to end hunger.
How to Apply
Hunger Task Force expects well-run programs to adhere to three basic principles:
- Operational Integrity and Protection of Civil Rights
- Outreach and Accountability
- Safe Receipt,Storage and Distribution of Food which are explained in the Standards of Excellence.
Call us at (414) 777-0483 and ask to schedule an appointment to become a member of the Hunger Task Force network. You will be asked to submit a "Plan of Operation" detailing answers to above questions. We look forward to meeting and working with you in our common goal of ending hunger.
Questions to think about
To begin, we recommend asking yourself these questions:
- What other existing programs are in my neighborhood?
- Are the existing programs in my neighborhood currently meeting the community’s emergency food needs?
- Are the programs open consistently, at least twice a week or more?
- Do they collaborate with nearby providers?
- Do the programs have enough food to operate?
- Do they provide an adequate amount of food to clients?
- Do the programs provide appropriate food based upon culture, religion and diet?
- From where do they receive food, funds and volunteers?
- Are the donations and volunteers adequate?
- Are the programs near public transportation?
- Are they accessible to the disabled?•
- Do these pantries conduct neighborhood outreach so that those needing assistance are aware of their services?
- How do these programs provide referral and follow up to their clients?
- What successes and advice can these programs offer?
If it is determined that the neighborhood is underserved, ask yourself the following:
- What are the needs of the population we wish to serve?
- Do we have enough funds to operate? (Remember that there are gas and electric bills, phone bills, water bills, and of course food purchases. Creating a budget is a must.)
- Are we able to procure food and monetary donations? How will we go about doing this?
- Do we have enough space to adequately store and distribute food in a safe and dignified manner?
- Do we have adequate and proper refrigeration and freezer space? If not, are we able to procure? (Commercial-grade is always best.)
- Is there appropriate space for clients?
- Is there space to provide a confidential area intake?
- Do we have enough volunteers? How many hours can we expect volunteers to work? How will we recruit and retain volunteers?
- Will we be able to provide clients with a 3-5 day supply of emergency food according to the most recent USDA Food Guide?
- Are we able to be open a minimum of twice per week? Are we able to be open in the evening or on the weekends when this may be the only time many of the working poor are able to gain access?
- Is our building accessible to the disabled? Near public transportation?
- Do we have enough space to provide client choice?
- Remembering that ending hungry is not just about handing someone a bag of food, are we able to fully commit ourselves to the anti-hunger effort?
Collaboration
If the existing programs in your neighborhood are NOT currently meeting the community’s emergency food needs, would it be most effective for you to devote your energies to improving the existing programs rather than starting a new one? Sometimes collaboration is the answer to improving what is already in existence.
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26.2% |
Percentage of Milwaukee residents in poverty
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How to Join the Network
(414) 777-0483