AAJune15-1 - Montana Food Bank Network

Montana Food Bank Network Partner Agency News
In this
Issue:
PAGE 2
New MAR
Categories
PAGE 5
Summer Meals
PAGE 5
Medicaid
Expansion
Update
ORDERS
DUE:
June 19
MARs DUE:
June 15
For more updates
and information,
visit us at:
insidemfbn.org
June 2015
SNAP at Montana Farmers Markets
In the summer months, many Montanans enjoy the opportunity to purchase fresh produce,
eggs, and meats from local farmers markets. These markets are not only a source of nutritious,
high quality foods, they are also a great way to keep more dollars in the local economy.
Did you know that many Montana farmers
markets now accept SNAP benefits? If your local
market takes SNAP, make sure your clients know
about it! Many markets across the state have
realized that accepting SNAP benefits helps
ensure that SNAP participants have access to
local and healthy food, while directly supporting
farmers and the local food system. There are
currently 15 communities across Montana with
markets that accept SNAP (or EBT): Big Fork,
Billings, Bozeman, Columbia Falls, Glendive,
Hamilton, Helena, Missoula, Polson, Thompson
Falls, and Whitefish.
In addition to accepting SNAP, some communities are doing even more! At least 7 Montana
communities have started incentive programs that match up to $5, $10, or $20 (depending on
the market) in SNAP benefits! Double Up Bucks MT is at the following markets: Billings South
Park, Gallatin Valley (Bozeman), Hamilton, Missoula, Polson, Red Lodge and Whitefish.
Using funds from grants and private donations, these markets are able to double the amount that
SNAP shoppers have available to spend at the market each week (up to the allowable amount).
Similar incentive programs in other states have successfully encouraged increased produce
consumption and increased utilization of markets by SNAP recipients.
For more information on accepting SNAP benefits at Montana farmers markets visit: http://web.
hhs.mt.gov/napa/snap.shtml.
Featured Product: Peanut Butter
Stock up on a household and food bank staple, peanut butter! 12/27 oz jars come
in a 23 pound case, at $19.92/case. That makes each jar $1.66. Check out the recipe
on page 6 for a yummy peanut stir-fry sauce.
2
THE AFFILIATE
www.insidemfbn.org
New Monthly Activity Report Categories
Starting July, 2015 MFBN will be implementing a couple of updates to every agency’s favorite pastime - Monthly Activity
Reports! Resulting from Feeding America and agency feedback, MAR’s will include sections for Pounds Transferred and
SNAP Applications Completed. If you do not transfer pounds or complete SNAP applications, this will not apply to you.
Pounds Transferred
For some time now several agencies have been requesting a field to document pounds transferred to other agencies.
Up until now MFBN has requested that these pounds are included in the Total Pounds Out. However, we recognize that
this is not the most accurate way to track the information and does not confer a factual representation of the amount
of food being distributed to clients in their food boxes. Instead, we would like to provide agencies the opportunity to
report more specific numbers that reflect their true distribution to clients. An added benefit of this will be an improved
understanding of the flow of food between agencies and where additional food resources may be needed.
However, there are very specific rules about agency sub-distributions that must be adhered to. Agencies or AgencySponsored Programs may distribute donated Product obtained from, or enabled by, Montana Food Bank Network to
other approved Agencies, Agency-Sponsored Programs or MFBN Programs if the following conditions are met:
1. The Product being sub-distributed is in excess to the normal distribution, needs to be distributed to maintain quality, or be distributed while it is safe for human consumption;
2. Product can only be sub-distributed to approved MFBN Agencies, Agency-Sponsored Programs, or MFBN Programs that are in good standing. MFBN will notify sub-distributing agencies of changes in activity status of agencies and programs from them.
3. Product may only be re-distributed one time;
4. All sub-distributions must be tracked accurately by the sub-distributing entity to facilitate trace and recall procedures; and
5. No fees can be charged in relation to sub-distributions (e.g. VAP, handling fees, delivery, transfer, referral or any other fees paid to the sub-distributing organization).
If you already track pounds transferred please begin reporting them on your next MAR. If you have not yet been
tracking them, please start doing so in July.
SNAP Applications Completed
Emergency food assistance such as food boxes plays a critical in ending hunger, but it cannot meet the need alone
and we must look to connect clients to all available resources. SNAP is Montana’s largest public food program and
helps more than 120,000 Montanans keep food on the table. SNAP improves clients’ access to food and supports your
local economy by bringing our tax dollars back to Montana. Unfortunately, approximately 1 in 4 Montanans likely to be
eligible for SNAP does not participate.
Luckily there is an exciting new opportunity through Feeding America that allows SNAP application assistance to be
measured and reported, counting towards MFBN’s target number of Meals per Person in Need in each county. MFBN will
be hiring a SNAP Coordinator, establishing a SNAP hotline, and providing training opportunities for agencies interested
in conducting SNAP application assistance.
We will include the space to report SNAP applications in July, but if you are interested in incorporating application
assistance into your services, please contact MFBN first!
To “count” towards our goal of providing given number of meals per persons in need agencies will need to:
1. Work with MFBN to start a new assistance effort
2. Help clients with the entire application – not just answer a few questions
3. AND ensure that the application was submitted (easiest online, other options for paper applications)
We will be providing additional information on both of these updates in the next month so please be on the lookout
and feel free to contact MFBN if you have any questions. Call Jeff or Diane to talk about pounds transferred and Lorianne
to discuss SNAP application assistance.
Montana Food Bank Network Partner Agency News
3
May 2015
DELIVERY SCHEDULE:
* All delivery times will be published online and in the Affiliate concurrently. If, for any reason, your
scheduled delivery time changes from what has been published, MFBN staff will notify you.
Date
TimeCityPartner Agency
7-Jul 10:00-10:45
Bozeman—Gallatin Valley Food Bank, Headwaters Area Food Bank, West Yellowstone Food Bank, Gardiner Food Pantry, Big Sky Youth Home
7-Jul 12:45-1:30
Helena—Helena Food Share, Margaret Stuart Boys and Girls Home,
Elkhorn Treatment Facility, Transitional Living Facility, Helena Pre-Release, Lewis and Clark Group Home, Alternative Youth Adventures, Salvation Army
9-Jul
9-Jul
9-Jul
9-Jul
10:15-10:30
12:00-12:30
1:45-2:30
3:00-3:15
Choteau—Teton County Food Pantry
Browning—Blackfeet Food Bank,
Shelby—Sagebrush Food Pantry
Conrad—Pondera Food Pantry
10-Jul 8:00-8:45
Great Falls—Great Falls Community Food Bank, St. Vincent DePaul, FISH,
Salvation Army, Chouteau County Food Bank
14-Jul
14-Jul
14-Jul
14-Jul
Dillon—Beaverhead Community Food Pantry
Butte—Butte Emergency Food Bank
Butte—Butte Rescue Mission
Anaconda—Project Care, Discovery House
8:30-9:00
10:30-11:30
11:30-11:45
12:30-1:00
16-Jul 9:00-9:30
16-Jul 10:00-10:30
16-Jul 10:45-11:30
16-Jul 12:15-12:30
16-Jul 12:30-1:30
16-Jul 1:45-2:15
Thompson Falls—Community Harvest Food Bank, Thompson Falls Seniors,
Thompson Falls AOG Church, Sanders County Coalition for Families
Trout Creek—Open Gate Ranch Youth Group, Trout Creek Seniors
Noxon—Community Services Fellowship, Noxon Seniors, Heron Seniors
Troy—Troy Community Baptist Church Food Pantry
Troy—Troy Food Pantry, the YAAK Food Cupboard
Libby—Libby Food Pantry, Libby Christian Church, Libby Seniors
21-Jul
21-Jul
21-Jul
21-Jul
Livingston—Livingston Food Pantry
White Sulphur Springs—Meagher County Nutrition Coalition
Lewistown—Central Montana Community Cupboard, FCCOA, B/G of Lewistown
Roundup—Musselshell County Food Bank
8:15-8:30
10:00-10:45
1:15-1:45
3:15-3:30
22-Jul 7:15-7:45
22-Jul 8:15-8:30
22-Jul 10:00-10:30
22-Jul 11:00-11:30
22-Jul 12:00-12:15
22-Jul 12:45-1:30
22-Jul 2:15-2:45
Hardin—Helping Hands, Set Free Ministries
Garryowen—Center Pole Foundation
Billings—Family Service, INC., Alternatives/Passages, Montana Rescue Mission, Friendship House, Open Bible Christian Center, Teen Pantry Program
Laurel—Community Hope
Joliet—Joliet Food Pantry, Boys and Girls Club of Carbon County
Columbus—Project Hope,
Big Timber—Big Timber Community Food Bank
24-Jul
24-Jul
24-Jul
24-Jul
24-Jul
24-Jul
Alberton—Alberton Seniors
Alberton—Alberton Community Food Pantry
Superior—Community Food Bank of Mineral County
Plains—Plains Community Food Bank, Shekinah Kitchen, Plains-Paradise Seniors
Hot Springs—Hot Springs Food Pantry, Hot Springs Seniors
Dixon—Dixon Seniors
8:00-8:15
8:15-8:30
9:00-9:30
10:30-11:30
12:00-12:30
1:30-1:45
4
THE AFFILIATE
www.insidemfbn.org
DELIVERY SCHEDULE continued
28-Jul 8:00-8:15
St. Ignatius—St. Ignatius Seniors
28-Jul 8:15-8:30
St. Ignatius—Mission Valley Food Pantry
28-Jul 9:00-9:30
Ronan—Ronan Bread Basket, Mission Valley Seniors
28-Jul 11:15-11:45
Columbia Falls—Columbia Falls Food Bank
28-Jul 12:00-12:30
Whitefish—North Valley Food Bank,
28-Jul 1:30-2:15
Eureka—Tobacco Valley Food Pantry, Eureka Four Square Church,
Tobacco Valley Seniors
30-Jul 8:15-9:00
30-Jul 10:15-11:15
30-Jul 11:30-11:45
Polson—Polson Loaves and Fish Pantry, Polson Seniors, Summer Backpack
Kalispell—Flathead Food Bank, Lighthouse Christian Home, Samaritan House, St. Matthews Church
Kalispell—North West Montana Veterans Stand Down
4-Aug 9:00-9:30 4-Aug 10:00-10:30
4-Aug 10:30-11:30
4-Aug 12:00-12:30
Stevensville—Pantry Partners
Hamilton—Bitterroot Valley Calvary Chapel
Hamilton—Haven House, WMMHC Eddy Meuchel Group Home, WMMHC ADT New Beginnings
Darby—Darby Bread Box
6-Aug 10:00-10:30
6-Aug 10:45-11:15
6-Aug 12:30-1:00
Lakeside—West Shore Food Bank
Bigfork—Bigfork Food Pantry
Seeley Lake—Seeley-Swan Food Bank
11-Aug 12:30-1:00
11-Aug 1:45-2:00
11-Aug 3:30-3:45
Ashland—St. Labre Food Pantry
Colstrip—Colstrip Community Food Bank
Miles City—Custer County Food Bank
12-Aug 8:30-9:00
12-Aug9:30-10:00
12-Aug 11:00-11:15
12-Aug 12:00-12:45
12-Aug 1:30-1:45
12-Aug 3:15-3:45
12-Aug 3:45-4:15
12-Aug 5:45-6:15
Wibaux—Wibaux Food Bank
Glendive—Dawson County Food Bank
Sidney—Fellowship Food Pantry
Culbertson—Culbertson Food Bank
Poplar—New Life Mission
Glasgow—Valley County Council on Aging
Glasgow—Valley County Emergency Food Bank
Malta—Malta Food Bank, Malta Opportunities, INC
13-Aug 8:00-8:15
13-Aug 8:45-9:15
13-Aug9:45-10:30
Harlem—Harlem Food Pantry, Harlem Seniors
Chinook—Chinook Food Pantry
Havre—Havre Food Bank, Feed My Sheep, Boys and Girls of the Hi-Line, Summer Backpack
17-AugAs Scheduled Missoula—Missoula Agencies begin scheduled pick
up’s
Upcoming MFBN
& Hunger Events
7/1 New MAR forms debut
7/3 INDEPENDENCE DAY- MFBN
offices closed
7/13 50/50 TICKETS & FAMILY NIGHT
Food Drive/Fundraiser Osprey Stadium
7/16-18 HARLEY DAVIDSON RALLY
Raffle Fundraiser Harley Davidson Missoula
7/25 50/50 TICKET SALES - Fundraiser
Osprey Stadium
MFBN Community
Engagement Meetings
This summer the Montana Food Bank
Network will be traveling to four communities to talk about the issue of
hunger in our state. The meetings will
include information on the prevalence, causes, and consequences of
hunger, as well as information specific to each community based on
our 2014 Hungry in Montana report.
Meeting dates and locations:
•
•
•
Havre, Wednesday, June 17
Great Falls, Thursday, June 18
Billings, TBD (will likely be the
week of July 6)
Montana Food Bank Network Partner Agency News
June 2015
What’s Next for Medicaid Expansion in Montana?
As you know, our Legislature recently passed the Montana HELP Act, expanding Medicaid coverage in Montana – a
huge win for many of our clients and thousands of others currently in the healthcare coverage gap.
Before newly eligible Montanans can enroll in Medicaid coverage, however, there are a few more steps. The State
must draft and submit a waiver to the federal government to ensure the HELP Act meets all federal requirements.
After the State drafts the waiver, it will be posted on their website for an open 30-day comment period. There will also
be at least two public forums where interested parties can learn more about the waiver proposal and comment on
the record. Informal talks between Montana and the federal Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) have
already begun and it is expected that the HELP Act will meet the necessary requirements. The process will likely take
a number of months, making it unlikely that newly eligible Montanans will start receiving coverage before early 2016.
Contact Lorianne at [email protected] or visit the Montana Budget and Policy Center website for more information.
SFSP: Summer Meals for Montana Children
Summer is here and with it comes the start of
the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). All
kids age 18 and under can eat meals for free at
over 180 feeding sites across the state.
You can help promote this important nutrition
program by: spreading the news about the
program through word of mouth, hanging flyers
advertising the program in your community,
offering to volunteer at the site (don’t forget
to take pictures while you are there and post
them on social media!) or writing a letter to the
editor of your local newspaper promoting the
program.
MFBN will be sending SFSP outreach flyers
to all partner agencies in communities with a
feeding site by the third week of June. If you
don’t want to wait till the end of June for the
flyers you can find the PDF on our website to
download and print at your own convenience.
Also be sure to promote the SFSP map which
lists all the feeding sites across the state. The
map will be updated by mid-June, however, it
is likely that many of the sites and serving times
are the same as last year.
If you would like more specific information on
serving times in your community give us a call
at 406-721-3825. You can find both the flyer and
the SFSP map at: www.MFBN.org/summerfood.
5
THE AFFILIATE
www.insidemfbn.org
6
Stir-Fry Peanut Sauce
Using featured product, peanut butter
Ingredients:
-2 Tbsp cornstarch
-3/4 C chicken broth
-1/4 C peanut butter
-3 Tbsp soy sauce
The Montana
Food Bank Network
5625 Expressway
Missoula, MT 59808
Instructions:
-Mix all listed ingredients to
make this delicious and easy
sauce.
-Stir-fry your favorite meats or
veggies and pour sauce over
your stir-fry. Fresh, frozen,
or canned vegetables work
great as a stir-fry!
Phone: 406-721-3825
Fax: 406-542-3770
[email protected]
MISSION:
To end hunger in
Montana through
food acquisition,
distribution,
education, and
advocacy.
-1 tsp ground ginger
(or 1 Tbsp of fresh
ginger if you’ve got it!)
“When a man’s stomach is full it makes no
difference whether he is rich or poor.”
-Euripides
VISION:
A Montana free
from hunger where
everyone has equal
access to nutritious
food.
CORE
VALUES:
Justice
Respect
Integrity
Trust
Excellence
Diversity
www.
insidemfbn
.org
For the latest information and
updates on new products,
special offers, delivery
schedules, shopping lists,
Pioneer Food Buying Service,
grants, media featuring issues
on food banking today and
current outreach programs,
log on to our website www.
insidemfbn.org. You can even
submit your Monthly Activity
Report and Grocery Rescue
numbers online!
MFBN Staff
Chief Executive Officer
Gayle Gifford
x225
Chief Development Officer
Bill Mathews
x244
Development Coordinator
Cassidy Green
x231
Development Coordinator
Elizabeth Weaver
x252
Database Coordinator
Chris McCleerey
x226
Chief Finance Officer
Clark Tower
x223
Accountant
Morgan Brennan
x224
Chief Policy Officer
Lorianne Burhop
x230
Public Policy Coordinator
Erin Carlstrom
x227
Chief Operations Officer
Brent Weisgram
x233
Transportation Manager
Rob Shipley
x240
Operations Manager
Brad Argo
x251
Chief Programs Officer
Jeff Gutierrez
x232
School Programs Coordinator
Stephanie Stratton
x229
Agency Resource Coordinator
Diane Matthews
x222
Warehouse/CDL Driver
Steve Anderson
x234
Warehouse/CDL Driver
Greg Patton
x234
Warehouse
Nikolay Chinikailo
x234