McLennan County Hunger Coalition Summary
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Caritas of Waco
300 South 15th Street
Waco, Texas
Coalition and Board Members Present: Kenneth Moerbe, Esther Morales, Matt Hess, Sonia Sarricolea, Sarah Woodward, Bob Gager, Dinh Tran, Katie Cook, James Gilmore, Buddy Edwards, Linda King, Bethel Erickson, Chelle Samaniego, Neil Lumbard
Guests: September Pinckney, Raymond Adams, Luoanne Cirlan, Leonard Gibson (Census Bureau), Ben Denver (Census Bureau)
Minutes from February Coalition meeting:
· Call to Order and Approval of Agenda and Minutes: Meeting was called to order by Kenneth Moerbe at 12:07 p.m. Kenneth welcomed all members and guests attending the meeting. Kenneth introduced coalition to Census guest speakers Leonard Gibson and Ben Denver. Kenneth also noted that minutes and coalition documents were sent out to members by e-mail.
Old Business (February Meeting):
Kenneth noted that Richard Plowman will serve as interim Treasurer and Neil Lumbard will serve as interim secretary during Christie Harper’s absence. Kenneth noted that the Board of Directors decided during the February Board Meeting that the coalition needs to advertise and promote the summer feeding program at an earlier time. It was then noted that additional sponsorship is needed for the continued support of the adult meals during the summer program.
VISTA Reports-
Neil Lumbard-
Neil reported that the website for the McLennan County Hunger Coalition was now online for all to see. Neil asked that any Coalition members who had feedback, suggestions, or ideas for what they wanted to see added or improved to the site could visit the website at: mclennanhunger.org and use the contact form included in the contact section. Neil also noted that he completed a brochure for the Hunger Coalition and that it was going to need board approval at the next Board of Directors meeting. Neil also commented on the importance of the Pizza Hut fundraising, which the coalition hopes to participate in soon, as it could lead to a more focused effort of fundraising if everyone in the coalition worked together to promote it.
Bethel Erickson-
Bethel made note that the HOTUGC will work on the summer lunch program for the “Harvest Celebration” activities, that a meeting was held to discuss the program, and that she is going to help promote the event. Bethel also noted that it was a time of celebration and recognition for students that participated in the garden clubs throughout the Waco area. The Harvest Celebration event will be held June 3rd from 2 to 4 PM. The location of the event has yet to be determined and will be announced at a later time.
MCHC Reports:
Financial-
Kenneth Moerbe noted that a budgetary plan has been established for the McLennan County Hunger Coalition. Kenneth also stated that funding was in place for the Helpings: FSOP from the present time through to the end of June, 2010 and that this funding could also last an even longer period of time.
Helpings –
Esther Morales, Program Director for Helpings: FSOP reported that in the past month Helpings met with 82 clients, and that a large number of applications are continuing to be completed for food stamp support. Esther noted that Stella Harris, from the Senior Employment Program, has been a right hand support for herself and the Helpings program, and that a grant is needed to keep Stella with the Helpings program. Esther also shared that Helpings is honored that the Meadows Foundation supported the program, and that things are being closed out with the foundation. Esther also noted that as of March 1st the Rapoport foundation funds have kicked in for the program, and that Bernard, Andre, and Tom Stanton have all continued to be strong supporters of Helpings efforts. It was then stated that the final report to the Meadows Foundation is due this April.
Esther reported that she attended the VISTA P.S.O. for the Hunger Coalition VISTA Neil Lumbard, and that Neil has been a great help to the efforts of the coalition and for Helpings. Esther noted that Neil made a wonderful power-point presentation for a recent Helpings outreach event. Esther attended a recent Single Parent Workshop to represent Helpings: Food Stamp Outreach and noted that it was a successful workshop for delivering information to single moms in need of information.
Esther also noted that she is excited to participate in the Summer Feeding Program and that VISTA Neil Lumbard will be taking on responsibilities in creating advertisements for the program.
Food Rescue-
Mike Beheler was not present at the meeting to give a full report on Food Rescue Efforts due to the timing of the meeting within the week due to Spring Break. Kenneth Moerbe did note that in regards to Food Rescue Efforts that Amanda Allen and the Baylor Campus Kitchen are now picking up food on Saturday’s throughout the month in order to extend food rescue efforts.
New Business:
The Waco Census Bureau representative’s Mr. Leonard Gibson and Mr. Ben Denver announced that there is a great need for promoting the Census this year. It was stated that many job opportunities and informational materials were available for anyone interested. The census representatives concerns were in counting the homeless population over a period of three days, and having an accurate number for this population.
Kenneth Moerbe stated that every two years the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition is required to do a HUD homeless count and that records of numbers are kept by the Homeless Coalition. Kenneth suggested that the Census representatives speak to VISTA Chelle Samaniego, HOTHC. Kenneth reminded each board & coalition member at the meeting of the WISD/ Sodexo Foundation “Eighth Annual Stop Hunger Texas Charity Golf Tournament” which is being held in April. Kenneth suggested creating T-Shirts for members and volunteers that work the tournament as one form of advertising the hunger coalition’s purpose for the event. Other ideas and suggestions for forms of advertising were proposed. Currently, the tournament is schedule for April, 23rd.
Kenneth added that Neil Lumbard, MCHC VISTA will work with WISD representatives and with Esther Morales on the upcoming 2010- SFP materials and announcements. Kenneth Moerbe, and Matt Hess suggested that a committee be formed immediately to start working on materials and advertising. Kenneth asked that if anyone was interested to contact Neil Lumbard. Board member Matt Hess asked coalition members what they thought of the idea of promoting the event through rallying around Waco area churches and organizations.
Board member Sonia Sarricolea (WISD) noted that not as many children are participating in the summer feeding program as there had been previously and that she believes transportation problems have been a primary issue. Kenneth agreed; and added that he also felt SFP information was not distributed early enough to promote the sites and the importance of free meals (such as breakfast and lunch) to children in our area. Kenneth also suggested that vacation bible school was a possible way to promote the program more.
Kenneth noted that the MCHC will be working with the food planning association of the Baylor Texas Hunger Initiative. Matt Hess noted that the hunger initiative plans to connect with non-profits agencies to discuss plans for ending hunger in Central Texas.
Kenneth announced that Kevin Allen will be the VISTA for the HOTHC once Chelle Samaniego’s service term ends in April. Kevin Allen is coming from East Texas and has many years of experience volunteering within the non-profit community. Kenneth noted that two more VISTA slots are still available for the HOTHC.
Kenneth mentioned that Coalition member Lori Kaiser’s father passed away and that the coalition will be sending a sympathy card.
Bob Gager noted that the Shepherd’s Heart pantry has found its location, and will be located where it was originally at 405 Estates Drive. Bob stated that the pantry should be ready to open by May. Kenneth suggested that Bob speak to Buddy Edwards to address issues such as food transportation that will arise for the pantry.
Sarah Woodward, VISTA for Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) out of Austin noted that they recently went through a training event for the summer feeding program and that the biggest cost and obstacle faced is transportation and program funding. It was noted that they have two sites for the program currently established. Currently CAFB serves 21 counties in Texas, including McLennan.
Kenneth announced that an emergency Board of Directors Meeting would be Wednesday the 17th at 3:00 p.m. at Caritas of Waco due to a lack of a quorum at the meeting’s start time.
¨ Meeting adjourned at 1:08 p.m.
Monthly Board of Directors Meeting:
Thursday – April 8, 2010 at 11:00 am
Monthly MCHC Coalition Meeting:
Thursday – April 8, 2010 at 11:45 am
Respectfully Submitted By: Neil Lumbard
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