Agency News Articles http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/agency-news.aspx 120 blogauthor@nospamyourportal.com mojoPortal Blog Module V 1.0 Fresh Produce Now Available at Time of Order Pick-up http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/fresh-produce-now-available-at-time-of-order-pick-up.aspx Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:27:16 GMT http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/fresh-produce-now-available-at-time-of-order-pick-up.aspx http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/fresh-produce-now-available-at-time-of-order-pick-up.aspx The Foodbank has introduced new “day-of” produce add-ons to orders at the Agency Dock. When picking up your order, there is a list of currently available produce that can be added on to your current order. This list will vary from day to day and agency eligibility will be based on the produce source. The produce add-on can be ordered at the Order Desk.  This new service is part of our produce initiative at was introduced at our Network Summit last November by Mitzi Baum from Feeding America and Chuck Allen, our Director of Food Development at the Foodbank.  The initiative should increase the amount of free, nutritious fresh produce being distributed to hungry people across our region.  The Foodbank has set a goal of distributing five (5) million pounds of fresh produce to our eight-county service territory this year at no cost to our member agencies.
 
To accomplish this ambitious goal, the Foodbank is taking a number of steps to obtain and promote fresh produce. First, the Foodbank is seeking to increase the amount of produce available from existing sources, such as the USDA and Ohio Agricultural Clearance Program (OACP). These two sources are available to all emergency feeding programs. 
 
In addition, the Foodbank will be purchasing fresh produce that will be available for all network agencies. This purchased produce will be distributed at no cost; however it will show-up under the “Purchase” section of the food menu. Please make sure your staff and volunteers who place your food orders are aware of this available produce.
 
Your agency is an integral part of reaching our fresh produce goal this year! Make room for produce in your next order.
]]> Agency Satisfaction Survey Now Available http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/agency-satisfaction-survey-now-available.aspx Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:40:37 GMT http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/agency-satisfaction-survey-now-available.aspx http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/agency-satisfaction-survey-now-available.aspx Attention Food Program Managers Your opinion about the service we provide to your community, agency and clients is very important to us so here’s your chance to let us know how we’re doing!

We have just rolled out the 2012 Agency Satisfaction Survey.  This year’s survey is more comprehensive and covers a variety of topics that affect our members including rating our communication strategies, product satisfaction by category on the menu, ease of ordering and pick-up, topics for trainings and providing feedback for topics at Agency Roundtable meetings. 

The survey will take approximately 25 minutes to finish and ideally should be completed by your program’s primary contact. We encourage you to review the paper copy of the survey which was mailed to your program site with your volunteer/staff team first and then complete the survey online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012_agency_satisfaction. 

If you prefer not to do the survey online, and would like to download a paper version, Click Here.  Please complete the paper copy and return to the Member Services Department.

Please submit only one survey per agency, either online or a paper copy, by Friday March 2, 2012. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the survey, please contact the Member Services Department at (330) 535-6900. We hope you will take advantage of this annual opportunity to tell us how we are doing. We look forward to your responses.

]]> Warehouse Inventory Closing on Friday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/warehouse-inventory-closing-on-friday-oct-28-at-10-am.aspx Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:11:36 GMT http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/warehouse-inventory-closing-on-friday-oct-28-at-10-am.aspx http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/warehouse-inventory-closing-on-friday-oct-28-at-10-am.aspx The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank Warehouse and Agency Dock will be closing for Inventory at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 28, 2011.

No pick-up appointments or MarketPlace appointments will be taken after 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 28.  Please plan your ordering and pick-up schedule to accommodate this closing.

The Order Line will remain open during this closing to accommodate orders for Monday, October 31.  Please remember, all orders for Monday, October 31, must be placed by 1 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2011.

]]> Member Services Staff Out October 10-12, 2011 http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/member-services-staff-gone-october-10-12-2011.aspx Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:09:17 GMT http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/member-services-staff-gone-october-10-12-2011.aspx http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/member-services-staff-gone-october-10-12-2011.aspx The Member Services Department staff will be attending a national conference on the following days:

Monday, October 10, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Please be aware that the Member Services Department staff will be unavailable during these days to assist you due to limited or no access to email and cell phone service.

During this time, all registrations for the Network Summit will be handled by Aaron Bartlett, Ohio Benefit Bank Community Organizer.  Aaron can be reached at 330.777.2303 or 330.535.6900 ext. 157.

All other phone calls and emails will be returned by Member Services Department staff after Wednesday, October 12, 2011.

If you have any questions or concerns during this time period, please speak with our receptionist or our Order Desk staff and they will direct you to the appropriate department for assistance.

]]> New Agreements Must Be Signed and Returned to the Foodbank by Friday, July 15, 2011 http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/new-agreements-must-be-signed-and-returned-to-the-foodbank-by-friday-july-15-2011.aspx Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:25:56 GMT http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/new-agreements-must-be-signed-and-returned-to-the-foodbank-by-friday-july-15-2011.aspx http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/new-agreements-must-be-signed-and-returned-to-the-foodbank-by-friday-july-15-2011.aspx ALL agencies must sign and return the 2011 Membership & Liability Agreement by Friday, July 15, 2011 regardless of when your agency last completed one.  Please note that items 5, 7, 11, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 22, 26, 30 are new to this agreement due to Feeding America requirements and clarifications to Foodbank policies.

Agencies receiving USDA & Ohio commodities must also sign and return the USDA & Ohio Commodities Agreement by Friday, July 15, 2011.  The content of this agreement reflects policies and procedures outlined in the Ohio Food Programs Manual published by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

]]> New 2011-2012 USDA/TEFAP Eligibility Form Now Available http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/new-2011-2012-usdatefap-eligibility-form-now-available.aspx Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:41:30 GMT http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/new-2011-2012-usdatefap-eligibility-form-now-available.aspx http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/new-2011-2012-usdatefap-eligibility-form-now-available.aspx The new 2011-2012 USDA/TEFAP Form that must be signed by all clients of Food Pantry programs and Direct Distributions is now available.  The form is effective July 1, 2011 and all Food Pantry programs and Direct Distributions must institute the new form starting July 1.  No older forms will be acceptable for use after June 30, 2011.

The new 2011-2012 USDA/TEFAP Form is officially titled "Ohio Department of Job and Family Services FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDED FOOD PROGRAMS ELIGIBILITY TO TAKE FOOD HOME."  This form is a self-declaration by the client stating that their household income qualifies them for food assistance.  The new 2011-2012 has a central forms code of: JFS 04221 (Rev. 7/2011).

New Forms Effective July 1, 2011:

*NEW* 2011-2012 Federal and State Funded Food Programs Eligibility to Take Food Home - English
*NEW* 2011-2012 Federal and State Funded Food Programs Eligibility to Take Food Home - Spanish
*NEW* 2011-2012 TEFAP Eligibility Guidelines

Please remember that no modifications, changes or attachments may be made to the new form.  This means no marks, numbers, additional words, sentences, disclaimers or notations of any kind are acceptable on the form, front or back. 

The form must be completed with the client's first and last name, full address including apartment number if applicable, city, zip code and phone number.  If the client is homeless, please write "homeless" on the address line.  If the client does not have a phone, please write "N/A" on the phone line.  The client must also provide the number of people living in their home by age group.  If there is no one living in the home in a certain age group, please place a zero (0) or a dash (--) in the age group.  Finally, the client must sign and date in the certification box the first time they receive food.  Each additional time they receive assistance, they must sign and date the lower half of the form.  If any of the household information has changed since their last visit, the form must be updated or a new form completed.

All client-completed forms must be kept for a minimum of three (3) years.  These forms are subject to audit by Foodbank staff and auditors representing the state and federal government.

If you have any questions regarding the new 2011-2012 form, please contact the Member Services Department.

 

]]> Member Agency Training Needs Assessment Survey http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/member-agency-training-needs-assessment-survey.aspx Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:11:17 GMT http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/member-agency-training-needs-assessment-survey.aspx http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/member-agency-training-needs-assessment-survey.aspx The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is committed to promoting the growth and development of our partner agencies through education and training in order to provide an effective and efficient response to hunger, food security and nutrition throughout our 8 county areas.  As part of this commitment, we have created the Member Agency Training Needs Assessment. This survey is your opportunity to let us know what your training needs are.  The responses from this survey will be used to help us develop a training curriculum and allow on-going education and training workshops to enhance the capacity of our member agencies.

We appreciate all of your hard work in helping to feed people and fight hunger and we understand your time is very valuable. The survey should take approximately 5 - 10 minutes to complete. Once you have completed the survey please fax it to 330.996.5337 or mail to Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Attn: Adrienne Bradley, 350 Opportunity Parkway, Akron, OH 44307-2234.  Please return this survey BEFORE Monday, August 9, 2010. To download the survey, click HERE.

Thank you again for your hard work and continued support of the Foodbank! We look forward to your survey responses and by working together we can build a stronger hunger-relief network for our community!

Member Agency Training Needs Assessment Survey

]]> Foodbank To Release Hunger Study Data http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/foodbank-to-release-hunger-study-data.aspx Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:24:38 GMT http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/foodbank-to-release-hunger-study-data.aspx http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/foodbank-to-release-hunger-study-data.aspx Foodbank to release hunger study data
“Feed People. Fight Hunger. Convoy”
to visit 3 cities

 

      What:

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Feeding America and food banks across the country will be releasing Hunger in America 2010, the most comprehensive study ever done on hunger in the United States.  The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank will be going on tour with 4 semi tractor trailer units to three locations in northeast Ohio to announce local research findings and build awareness around the need to Feed People and Fight Hunger in our region.

 

      When:

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

 

      WHere:

9:00 a.m.      

Giant Eagle
230 Howe Avenue
Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44221

 

12:00 p.m.    

Fisher Foods
8100 Cleveland Avenue, NW
North Canton, OH  44720

 

2:00 p.m.      

Greater Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry
420 W. 3rd Street
Dover, OH  44622

      WHO:

  • Community leaders, including County Executives, Mayors, City   

  • Council Members and Commissioners, representatives from

  • Congressional Member’s offices

  • Food industry partners, including Jeff Fisher of Fisher Foods

  • Corporate partners

  • Members of social service agencies who partner with the Foodbank in the fight against hunger

  • Dan Flowers, President and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.


      WHY:

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank surveyed food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters and their clients during the peak of the 2009 recession.  The Foodbank will release startling findings from this study during the 3-city tour.    Hunger in America 2010 provides an important basis for developing responses to food insecurity and hunger at both the national and local level.  This research was done in conjunction with Feeding America and its network of more than 200 food banks across the country.

 

]]> Effective Jan. 1, 2010 Foodbank Campus is Non-smoking http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/effective-jan-1-2010-foodbank-campus-is-non-smoking.aspx Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:05:40 GMT http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/effective-jan-1-2010-foodbank-campus-is-non-smoking.aspx http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/effective-jan-1-2010-foodbank-campus-is-non-smoking.aspx Effective January 1, 2010, the Foodbank has become a Non-smoking campus.  Smoking will not be permitted on any part of the Foodbank property including the parking lots. 

]]> Agency Network Sees Increase In Services http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/agency-network-sees-increase-in-services.aspx Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:32:46 GMT http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/agency-network-sees-increase-in-services.aspx http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/agency-network-sees-increase-in-services.aspx Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Agency Network Sees Increase In Services From Mid-year ’08 to ‘09

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s network of member agencies have reported a dramatic increase in the number of households and individual people seeking food assistance from mid-year 2008 to mid-year 2009. According to submitted monthly reports from our member agencies, food pantries have experienced an increase of 19% in the number of households they are serving. In addition, the total number of men, women and children living in households receiving food assistance has increased by 24%. This increase may be a direct result of the current economic downtown. According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio’s unemployment rate was 6.4% in June 2008. By June 2009, the unemployment rate had risen to 11.1%

As a response to the increase in demand for food assistance, the Foodbank has been able to increase the amount of food distributed to our network by 19%. In June 2008, the Foodbank had distributed over 6 million pounds of food year to date, compared to the 7.5 million pounds so far this year.
 

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