MEETING MINUTES

Guest Speakers (their contact information listed at end of minutes):

Reggie Williams, Circuit Administrator, Department of Children ? Families

Dave Krepcho, President, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Jim Chynoweth, Director of Distribution, Second Harvest Food Bank of Jacksonville

Summit Facilitators:

Doug Baxter, President, Flagler Chamber of Commerce

Ray Salazar, President, United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties

Summary Highlights:

Local Loss $/benefits: Over $360,000.00 monthly loss/unclaimed benefits to Flagler County residents from SNAP (food stamps) alone. (appx. 40% of residents eligible are not claiming benefits)

Education of Programs/Resources: need on going education/communication.

Community Benefits Specialist Coordinator (BSC) needed to help ensure residents apply for benefits.

Meeting Summary:

• The meeting was called to order at 8:35am by Doug Baxter.  He extended a welcome to all attendees and shared local issues regarding food and poverty.  He reminded everyone that there are over 50% of school children on free and/or reduce lunches.  That there are over 160 homeless children/families.  That of the over 92,000 residents via the census, over 8,600 are unemployed.
• Mr. Baxter challenged the group and all community food pantries to get educated and help the community by working together.  That many are doing great things, but separately.  That there are benefits available to residents in Flagler County, but they don’t know about them and/or are not taking advantage of them.  That we need to end this meeting with a game plan of action, a solution.
• Ray Salazar, shared that United Way’s Dial 2-1-1 is a central directory of services.  It is a one stop information and referral service for the community. He challenges attendees to share “Dial 2-1-1” with their clients and reminded providers to keep the information current of their service with “2-1-1” in order for the information to stay current/updated for the community.
• Mr. Salazar introduced all the Speakers.  Reggie Williams shared that their responsibility with hunger is through food stamps and that hunger initiatives needs to include a Food Stamp focus.  And shared that the name will be changed to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  Mr. Williams shared that his district/territory covers Flagler, Volusia, Putnam and St. Johns Counties. From May ’09 through May ’10 the number of assistance increased 35% - clients served from 8,500 to 11,400.  The value of that 35% increase equals over $500,000 in just one year.  That Flagler County clients served is 9.7% of the total four counties.

Mr. Williams shared how individuals can apply for benefits:

• Local office in Bunnell (105 S. Bacher Street)
• Online 24/7 at www.myflorida.com/accessflorida
• For benefit updates call 866.762.2237, for hearing impaired (TTY line) call 800.955.8771 or 8770.
• Better yet, engage folks to setup an online "My Account".   His office has seven Flagler Community Partners.
• To get more information on Flagler partners call Cindy Robinson (Dept. of Children & Families) at 386.323.2548.

Mr. Williams shared that they are open to other Community Partners, contact Cindy Robinson (386.323.2548) if you are interested/more details.  A Community Partner host an Information Site, Customer Service Location and more.  You can find a list of current Flagler County Community Partners online (www.myflorida.com/accessflorida)

Mr. Baxter reminded everyone that pride; stigma to get benefits is a real issue. And, shared his concern of residents not having computer, electric, and accessibility. But they do have a cell phone.  The newly poor are not seeking help from the State/County, but they do go to One Stop.

Mr. Salazar agreed, a path needs to be built that people will follow.

It was shared that this new breed of clients doesn’t want to be classified as poor – improvised.  Some residents are concerned that if they apply for benefits their children could be taken away.

Some shared that education to the community on the qualification of benefits is needed, but complicated.  That the BIGGEST issue is getting residents to apply.

Dave Krepcho summarized how Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida works.  They collect surplus food and redistribute to charitable programs, i.e. churches, agencies.  He shared that 40% of un-used benefits or $165 million dollars of our tax dollars were not being used in Central Florida.  So they worked to develop a Benefits Specialist Coordinator (BSC) that goes out into the community to interview and register clients/residents.  In order to connect with residents, they work in libraries, churches, one-on-one most anywhere.  He shared that there is a cost to launch/maintain a BSC.  But he was able to go to the community/local foundations and show a potential 638% return to the community.  In fact, after the first year it ended up being over a 900% return (cost of BSC vs. new $ benefits to resident in the community = positive community economic impact/stimulus). He also reminder attendees that when a person applies for SNAP they are also automatically screened for Medicaid and cash assistance programs.  A POSTIVE off set of the program is that the State is able to submit for additional Federal funding, and they are now receiving matching funds to the community.

Jim Chynoweth shared that Flagler County is also at 40% of residents that qualify for SNAP benefits are NOT being utilizing them.  That equates to over $360,000.00 monthly tax dollar benefits Flagler County Residents are NOT taking advantage of/utilizing.

Mr. Chynoweth shared that he serves 18 counties through three distributors, and Flagler County distribution is through Salvation Army out of St. Augustine.  They have 30 retailers inFlagler County donating 49,000lbs of food, but they are giving out to Flagler County 200,000lbs of food.  They have 6 local partners and served about 15,000 Flagler County residents this past year.

They have just launched a BSC position, but said they are about two years behind Central Florida’s lead.  They are working with a local coalition of churches in Jacksonville.

Mr. Baxter, and I believe, both Mr. Chynoweth and Mr. Krepcho encourage FAMA to unite and take a lead role locally.

Aimee Mock, with Flagler County Schools shared information on the Homeless to Homeward committee.  Monthly meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month and that they are doing many different and significant initiatives for residents in the community.  They have also raised money and helped serve 32 families to date.

Many attendees challenged that funds should be pooled together to support a local BSC and that anyone seeking assistance/food should be asked/show proof in some way that they have applied for SNAP benefits.  That a community goal should be to reduce the 40% used SNAP benefits by residents.

Most everyone agreed that SNAP is a vital way, quickest and easiest way to help bridge the gap and bring economic stimulus to the community.

Mr. Krepcho shared that there are Federal ARRA Surplus TANF funds, easy to get funding for a BSC.  The community has to raise 20% and the funding will cover 80%.  Call the State’s Secretary office, Jennifer Lange in Tallahassee for more details. Doug Courtney, an attendee, said he would work on this for the community.  Mr. Krepcho would also be glad to share a summary of the program and other information per request.

Mr. Baxter closed reminding everyone that the resources to make change are in the room. And that everyone must unite.  The meeting was adjourned at 10:40am.

Next Steps / Outcome to date:

• Continue Education/building strong partnership: DCF, Second Harvest, those in the room and others in the community need to work together ongoing. All in attendance made a commitment to do so.
• Tap into more SNAP funding/benefits: work to launch a community Benefits Specialist Coordinator.  Doug Courtney, stepped up and said he would help take the lead on applying for the matching Federal dollars.  FAMA, new President, Rabbi Shapiro, said they would take a lead role in coordinating the efforts for the community.
• Another Meeting: FAMA will be hosting a future meeting focusing on a community BSC.

Meeting Outcome:

- Relationship building between all parties ? education.

- Second Harvest of Jacksonville worked with FAMA this week and distributed between 5 – 7 pallets of fresh local Florida produce (watermelons, tomatoes, green peppers), this is 7 –10,000lbs. on Thursday.  Two the Salvation Food Bank’s existing partners: Charles Silano from Grace Tabernacle Church, and Marlene Laurent from The Church on the Rock, have arranged to accept delivery of the fruits and vegetables and to do special distributions into their communities. Jim quotes, "It is fantastic to see local partners working to feed people in need!";

Meeting Critique Feedback:

• Productive & Informative meeting: 7
• OK; could be improved meeting: 3
• Not Productive meeting: 0

What I found most helpful about this meeting was:

?        Information

?        Lots of interested parties with good ideas

?        It, again, brings to forefront the lack of communication ? coordination in the community.

?        Information about services provided by the presenters

?        Learning about SNAP program outreach possibilities for the community

?        Clarify the next step; need to focus on SNAP

?        Learning about who some of the interested partners and the political structure in Flagler County

The next meeting could be improved by:

?         Setting more defined goals

?        Get a community coordinator

?        An update of action taken by presenters ? attendees

?        Structured activities

Idea or topics I would like to see discussed and shared during these meetings:

?        Goal setting

?        More time for each program to discuss their mission

?        Train volunteers to help

?        Topic on FPL/electric and water – keeping utilities on.

?        Combing food banks

?        How to create a safety net of services to help people in need in Flagler Cty.

?        Need to develop a method for talking with the people in need to see they want to be talked to/what they need/want.

Other Comments: 5

?        Set another meeting

Speakers Contact Information

 

Host Contact Information:

Making A Difference Everyday,

Alicia Casas acasas@unitedwayvfc.org

Assistant Director of Resource Development

United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties

386.366.9052

Volusia office: 3747 W. ISB / Flagler office: 389 Palm Coast Pkwy., SW Suite 4

Our Mission: "To increase the organized capacity of our community to care for its people&rdquo"

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