Part II
The goals of the Food Subsidy Program
Project HOPE Food Bank hosts a Food Subsidy Program designed to promote health and well-being through closing the nutritional gaps caused by food insecurity. We operate as a pooling of resources, assisting 45 area non-profits that do not have the assets to purchase or store enormous quantities of food. Purchasing food wholesale in large lots for the best price helps homeless shelters, charity kitchens, food pantries, crisis centers, children’s homes, school backpack programs and children’s feeding programs fulfill their missions. Our impact in the community is extensive due to our resources: a donated warehouse, debt-free equipment, and a volunteer workforce which includes our Executive Director and Inventory Specialist.
Project HOPE Food Bank purchases foods wholesale in large lots for the best prices. To further assist agencies Project HOPE Food Bank seeks grants and donations. These funds are used to reduce the cost of food to partnering agencies. Project HOPE Food Bank discounts food sold to agencies allowing them to double and often triple their purchasing power. Each of our 45 collaborating non-profit agencies, the big and small, have an equal opportunity to use our resource to assist in their programs. These agencies included homeless shelters, charity kitchens, food pantries, crisis centers, children’s homes, school backpack programs and children’s feeding programs.
Child hunger is currently 27% in Garland County according to Feeding America’s latest data in Map the Meals. Child food insecurity can bring delayed development physically, mentally and emotionally. The families in which these children live report cutting portions in half and food rationing to make ends meet. Fifty percent of low-income families report not having the resources to afford food each month.
Arkansas has ranked highest in the nation four out of the last five years for senior food insecurity. Although we have made improvements, Arkansas still ranks fourth in the nation with 19.6% of seniors struggling with food insecurity. Senior hunger can be devastating, bringing on many chronic illnesses like high blood pressure, depression, diabetes and heart disease. These chronic illnesses bring on additional medical cost that further burden a senior household.
Food insecurity can be brought about by job loss, reduction in hours, medical and drug expense, challenges with transportation, loss of a spouse, turmoil in a family and the rising cost of living. Cuts to social program could easily reverse any progress we have made in alleviating hunger. Therefore, our pantries helping thousands of families each month are a primary line of defense in our fight against hunger.
Child hunger is currently 27% in Garland County according to Feeding America’s latest data in Map the Meals. Child food insecurity can bring delayed development physically, mentally and emotionally. The families in which these children live report cutting portions in half and food rationing to make ends meet. Fifty percent of low-income families report not having the resources to afford food each month.
Arkansas has ranked highest in the nation four out of the last five years for senior food insecurity. Although we have made improvements, Arkansas still ranks fourth in the nation with 19.6% of seniors struggling with food insecurity. Senior hunger can be devastating, bringing on many chronic illnesses like high blood pressure, depression, diabetes and heart disease. These chronic illnesses bring on additional medical cost that further burden a senior household.
Food insecurity can be brought about by job loss, reduction in hours, medical and drug expense, challenges with transportation, loss of a spouse, turmoil in a family and the rising cost of living. Cuts to social program could easily reverse any progress we have made in alleviating hunger. Therefore, our pantries helping thousands of families each month are a primary line of defense in our fight against hunger.
A reliable resource we pull from on senior hunger is the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger (NFESH). Each year the NFESH published findings on the state of senior hunger in America. The report provides information on the reasons seniors struggle with hunger, what ages are most likely to face hunger along with many contributing indicators of which seniors are most likely to face food insecurity.
The USDA has defined the standards for food insecurity. Basically, identifying three levels: threat of hunger, At-risk of hunger and facing hunger. Their responses to surveys identify the level of food insecurity faced by each demographic. Responses to survey questions regarding food rationing and reducing serving sizes to stretch their budgets designate their level of food insecurity. Mobility to access food is also examined as a contributing factor for senior hunger.
Project HOPE Food Banks community support allows the food bank to efficiently and effectively use our funding to distribute food in our region. Mr. Jim Smith, Keith Smith Food Company, donates our warehouse. All our equipment has been obtained through grants including our refrigerators, freezers, fork truck, van, box truck and pallet lifts. Our manpower including Executive Director, Ted Thompson and Inventory Specialist, Charles Hood are volunteers. A very active volunteer board of directors spends time volunteering, thus can see In 2017, Project HOPE Food Bank hosted over 8,000 volunteer hours. These assets allow us to use 100 percent of every grant and 95 percent of every donation to further our mission of distributing food.
The overall costs of hunger and food insecurity to society may well be incalculable. But this report argues that hunger and food insecurity are a health issue, and it is possible to produce a reliable, albeit conservative, estimate of the health-related costs in particular. The estimates presented here are based on an extensive assessment of peer-reviewed research on the many ways that hunger harms human health, and the higher health care costs associated with them, updated to 2014 dollars. The graphic below breaks down America's $160 billion hunger health bill. This is according the the Bread for the World Institute’s report The Cost of Hunger in the United States.
Counties and pounds distribute are as follows: Clark – 880 pounds, Garland – 674,223 pounds, Grant – 3,358, Hot Spring – 64,055 pounds, Montgomery – 43738 pounds, Ouachita, Pike – 76,834 pounds, Saline – 89,084 pounds and Union -2,764 pounds.
Part III
Another important activity is seeking out affordable, nutritious and relevant food products to offer agencies. The outcome of this endeavor is a variety of foods to fill the diverse needs in our community.
The primary activity for Project HOPE Food Bank is to provide a resource for agencies to stretch their budgets and provide nutrition assistance to those in need. The outcome for this activity is agencies benefit from large lot wholesale purchasing power and subsidized food and can touch the lives of more food insecure people.
A second success story was offered by Brenda Forga of Montgomery County Food Bank. She was approached by a lady during her pantry. Brenda questioned the young lady and found she had been sleeping in the woods and her only belongings, the clothes on her back and two blankets. Before the next pantry Brenda had sought local assistance, therefore in addition to food, she was able to give her a tent, a small stove for cooking, a cooking pot, a coat and some clothes. After several months a worker at the pantry had offered her a position at the local dollar store. Although resources are still tight for the young lady she is back to being a proud and contributing part of their community.
Part IV
- Were you able to pay all regular operational expenses within 60 days of the due date?
- Have you been able to maintain your 501 (c) 3 Tax Exempt Status?
Part V
Part VI
Part VII
New walk-in freezer