• We developed a Verde Food Council website in support of emergency food resources in the Verde Valley, offering current news about the extent of hunger and the needs of local food banks.

• We compiled and updated a list of Emergency Food Resources in the Verde Valley.

• We submitted proposals to the New Earth Foundation ($7,600 granted in late April) and United Way of Yavapai County and Yavapai County Community Foundation ($15,000 granted in October) for operation of the Council.

• We obtained a $2,000 donation from Christ Lutheran Church in Sedona that the Council allocated to the Camp Verde food bank for construction of a food storage shed.

• We formed a Food for the Homebound program linking Verde Valley Caregivers with the Sedona food bank for volunteer delivery of emergency food to homebound persons in the Sedona area.

• We obtained a $1,000 grant from the Sedona Community Foundation to fund expansion of the Food for the Homebound program.

• We assisted Beaver Creek School’s Backpack for Kids program (food for weekends) by establishing a dedicated bank account under Cornucopia’s nonprofit umbrella.

• We obtained $1,732 in donations for the Backpacks for Kids program.

• We obtained $1,250 in grants from the Arizona Partnership for Ending Child Hunger for sustaining the Backpacks for Kids program.

• We assisted Beaver Creek School in submitting a $10,000 grant application to the Share Our Strength Foundation for expanding and sustaining the Backpacks for Kids program to three elementary schools in three school districts.

• We advocated with the US Dept. of Agriculture for their inclusion of weekend meals for students programs in its funding cycles – programs like Backpacks for Kids.

• We assisted four food banks in developing a computerized database for making an unduplicated count of food recipients and applicants.

• We compiled and analyzed food bank data and published a report, Food Bank Recipients in the Verde Valley: 2007 and 2008.

• We gathered and compiled current data on the numbers of students enrolled in federal free/reduced cost meals programs in Verde Valley school districts.

• We gathered and compiled current Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollee counts in the Verde Valley.

• We established a working relationship with St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, the major supplier of emergency food in Arizona.

• We established a working relationship with the Arizona Association of Food Banks in Phoenix (none of our local food banks affiliate with it).

• We started the Food for the Homebound program by forming a collaboration of the Sedona Food Bank and Verde Valley Caregivers.

• We assisted St. Mary’s Food Bank in stabilizing their bulk food deliveries to its Verde Valley affiliates by establishing a Regional Distribution Center at the Bread of Life Mission warehouse in Camp Verde.

• We joined the DES Statewide Hunger Advisory Council to represent rural Arizona.

• We had five articles published about the needs of the hungry in local newspapers.

• We helped St. Mary’s Food Bank establish relationships with food banks in Camp Verde, Rimrock and Sedona, and with senior centers in Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Lake Montezuma, and Sedona.

• We developed the possibility of having DES train volunteers at emergency food resources to help clients apply for SNAP benefits.

• We assisted Gardens for Humanity in writing a $100,000 per year grant application for Stimulus funds for implementing a three-year YouthGreen program that teaches young people aged 18-24 agricultural and environmental career skills and involves Yavapai and Coconino Community Colleges as well as other agency partners.

• We compiled a list of 60 faith organizations in the Verde Valley and emailed a monthly “E-Hunger” newsletter to those with email addresses to inform them about the extent of national and local hunger.

• We’ve promoted greater sharing among resources and adoption of a regional view of collaboration.

• We are progressing toward the ultimate goal of helping the Verde Valley develop a sustainable supply of healthy food for all its residents.

 

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