Best Practices Sharing Session Part 1

Transcription

1 Best Practices Sharing Session Part 1

2 Best Practices Sharing Session Some problems are more easily and better solved when more people are involved in the discussion Your input will help set the topics and frame the discussions 1

3 What is one thing you would like to share/learn in our session? Fresh ideas on how to do things smarter Get on PantryTrak! How can we make people comfortable accepting food assistance? How to get more donations Food pantry best practices Managing large groups of people Where and how are food insecurity statistics collected? How can client intake at the beginning of a distribution be managed efficiently, kindly, fairly? How can we keep getting bigger and better? Learn more about the backpack program Share about benefits of also providing emotional support Availability of staple food items How to balance client delivery versus client pickup, especially with respect to the choice pantry model How do pounds of food relate to meals? How to get more volunteers How to increase programs offered or try new strategies How to engage rural seniors in visiting a food pantry 2

4 Discussion Groups Program Efficiency Volunteer Engagement Client Comfort and Management 3

5 Top 3 Takeaways Program Efficiency 1. Proxy signature for deliveries 2. Weekend backpack meal program with schools Volunteer Engagement 1. Look outside your organization and ASK 2. Show the benefit of volunteering job description and how the role impacts the program, clients, organization 3. Schedule for consistency Client Comfort and Management 1. PantryTrak very valuable tool 2. PantryTrak made clients feel much more comfortable because its so much easier than the paper system 3. Get people involved in volunteering what are hesitant to use pantry benefits 4

6 Best Practices Sharing Session Part 2

7 What is one thing you would like to share/learn in our session? Best use of volunteers and time to pack food How to give people more food and help more people How to purchase and distribute nutritious and fresh food How to deal with space and capacity limitations Choice pantry model menu How to be more aware of grants and available funding Is anyone doing anything beyond distribution to help clients help themselves? How to make volunteers receptive to new ideas Choice pantry conversion in new location New ways to collaborate with other pantries Creative ways to work together in a region or county Methods to increase donor base Letting clients choose products they receive to avoid waste Working smarter to increase food distribution how? Preparation of more nutritious meals County-specific needs 6

8 What is one thing you would like to share/learn in our session? Increasing awareness of resources available How to involve youth in volunteering Policies or procedures to improve service, increase efficiency Moving from pre-packed bags to client shopping list model Keep eyes open, pay attention to the Foodbank s communications Use PantryTrak! Reach out to community partners to provide more comprehensive services, link together Convince staff/volunteers to convert to choice pantry system, PantryTrak technology How to recruit staff and volunteers that are committed to quality of service and committed to the mission 7

9 Discussion Groups Food Sourcing and Nutrition Program Efficiencies Donors, Volunteers and Awareness Holistic Approach to Client Service 8

10 Top 3 Takeaways Food Sourcing and Nutrition 1. Approach grocers and ask for discounts when buying in large quantities 2. Check local ads for deals 3. Utilize American Harvest and local restaurants for prepared foods Program Efficiencies 1. Foodbank staff can do site evaluations and set up tours of other agencies 2. PantryTrak! 3. Swap Table Option where clients can swap foods they don t like or don t need 9

11 Top 3 Takeaways Donors, Volunteers and Awareness 1. Utilize purchasing power of agencies and Foodbank, donate dollars not food! 2. Ask clubs, etc. to get large volunteer groups 3. Don t be afraid to communicate needs worst that can happen: They say No Holistic Approach to Client Service 1. Balance with regulation and providing services to clients can t force them 2. Collaborate with resource manuals and best practices, share more 3. Watch for duplication we work better together than apart 10