Eliminating Hunger Campaign Case Statement Food Finders Food Bank

   

Table of Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 2 Contact Information Press Lead Mission Statement History of Food Finders Food Bank .............................................................................................................. 2 Food Finders Outreach ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Future Goals ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 Board of Directors ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Our Staff.............................................................................................................................................................. 7 Food Finders & Feeding America ................................................................................................................... 8 Finances & Funding .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Food Finders in the Community ................................................................................................................... 11 Mobile Pantry Outreach Summer Feeding Program Back Pack Program Hunger Hike Letter Carriers Food Drive Volunteer Roles ................................................................................................................................................ 14 Partnership with Purdue University .............................................................................................................. 16 Photos ................................................................................................................................................................ 17 Appendix A – Budget...................................................................................................................................... 18

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Introduction Contact Information Food Finders Food Bank 50 Olympia Court Lafayette, IN 47909 (765) 471-0062 food-finders.org Press Lead Food Finders Food Bank procures, stores, and distributes food together with complimentary resources to serve the needs of hungry people. Mission Statement Food Finders’ mission is to feed the hungry in Mid-North Indiana by locating and distributing food to agencies that operate food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.

History of Food Finders Food Bank

An innovative collaboration of labor unions, churches, non-profit organizations and dedicated citizens of the Lafayette area led to the founding of Food Finders in 1981. On World Food Day, October 16th, the food bank began operation in a two-car garage and was run solely by volunteers. That year, over 20,000 meals were distributed to members of the Lafayette community. Thanks to help from local organizations and volunteers, by 1984 Food Finders Food Bank was distributing over half a million pounds of food per year–after just three years of existence. Over 100 business and ten farmers had pledged to make regular donations, part-time staff was hired, and the facility was able to move to a bigger location with a walk-in freezer. With the help of donations, and a reduced price from Defouw Chevrolet, Food Finders was able to purchase its first truck in order to better reach Lafayette citizens. By 2001, Food Finders was celebrating its 20th anniversary by providing over two million pounds of food to 170 nonprofit organizations, such as food pantries, throughout the surrounding Indiana counties. By this time, the organization had moved to its current facility, a building that was built specifically to be a food bank and can better serve the related needs. However, the needs of the community were also increasing: demand for aid from Food Finders increased 17% that year. Today, Food Finders Food Bank is still growing, both in size and community impact. In 2010 alone, 5.3 million pounds of food were distributed to agencies in 16 Indiana counties. Our operating facility is now 23,700 square feet–a big step from the two-car garage in which we first started distributing food–and we have several more vehicles with which we visit agencies and members of the community. Our current, ongoing programs include the Mobile Pantry Outreach, Summer Feeding Program, and Backpack Program, along with annual events such as the Community Harvest Food Drive and Hunger Hike. Food Finders’ amazing success is thanks to continued donations of food, funds, and time from area businesses, organizations, and volunteers. “If I didn’t have this, I wouldn’t eat. $900 a month is too much to get food stamps.” 

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Food Finders Outreach

Through our facility and our community outreach, Food Finders Food Bank serves close to 200 nonprofit agencies throughout 16 counties in Indiana. With our help, these food pantries, daycare centers, and other organizations are able to help over 10,000 different people each week. The work has become a key tool to surviving in an unfavorable economy; recent years have shown a sharp increase in the unemployment rate for Hoosiers. Despite our best efforts, the number of families and individuals in need of our help continues to grow. As seen in this chart, agencies connected with Food Finders served at least 5,000 families each month in 2010, and for six months out of the year, over Households/Meals Served in 2010 20,000 individual meals were Households Served distributed. However, according 25,000  to the 2011 Map the Meal Gap study done by Feeding America, 20,000  almost 100,000 people in the 15,000  counties served by Food Finders are food insecure–meaning they 10,000  are unsure of where their next meal will come from. Even in the 5,000  most effective month of the year, we only had the resources to ‐ distribute 25,000 meals, meaning many of food insecure people in our 16 counties remained in need. At Food Finders, we don’t want anyone to go hungry. As a nonprofit agency, we rely completely on grants, United Way funding, corporate sponsorship, and individual community donations to help provide food for families in North Central Indiana. Without the help of these many organizations and individuals, the thousands of people we serve would be left vulnerable. The process of where the products come from and where Food Finders sends them to best help the community can be explained with the following flow chart.

Food comes from Wholesalers

Retailers

Processors

Farmers

Individuals

US Dept of  Agriculture

For  these reasons Surplus/  Salvage

Nearing end  date

Packaging  errors

Gifts‐in‐kind

Fresh  Produce

Food Drives

Government  Commodities

Youth  programs

Food Bank  programs

To help these programs Food Pantries

Soup Kitchens

Senior  Citizens

Homeless  shelters

Rehab  centers

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With so many groups dependent on Food Finders, it is clear how important our donations and sponsors are to us. Each time we reach a new goal for pounds of food distributed across North Central Indiana, these groups are responsible for helping us meet that goal.

Annual Distribution, 2000‐2010 Millions of Pounds

6 5 4 3 2 1 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Already, our donors help us to distribute millions of pounds of food per year. As mentioned, this food goes not only to our member agencies like pantries and shelters. This food is also used in our community outreach programs such as the Backpack Program, Summer Feeding Program, and Mobile Pantry Outreach. Individuals of all ages, from senior citizens to young children, benefit from these programs. Still, there are many individuals who are not yet receiving our assistance, because we simply don’t have the means to provide for them.

“This is just what some families need to make ends meet.”

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Future Goals

At Food Finders, we envision a future where no one in need is turned away. In order to realize this future, we created a plan detailing what our facility must do to help reach more people within our 16 counties. By 2014, we hope to impact the community more effectively through a variety of methods. • Develop a signature event for donation collection • Increase distribution by evaluating hunger needs and food pantry performance • Provide more services to distant counties through the Mobile Pantry outreach and new • •

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committee members Expand the Back Pack program and Summer Feeding program by recruiting additional sponsors Raise awareness of hunger issues, and how Food Finders works to alleviate them, using educational materials, event involvement, and collaborations with other nonprofit organizations Educate the hungry to make healthy decisions with the food provided by Food Finders by using brochures and classes Maintain facilities, policies, and procedures for safe, secure storage and distribution of food and other resources Advocate for those in need to promote hunger policy reform and effective legislation.

“In this tough period of time, you have given us hope.” 

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Board of Directors

Food Finders Food Bank’s distinguished board members bring an array of expertise in various fields, from governmental relations and public affairs, to corporate finance and community outreach. We are thankful for their leadership and involvement with Food Finders Katy Bunder - Food Finders Food Bank, Inc., Director Larry Anderson - Radian Research Shelly Cochran - Purdue Food Stores Steve Curtis - Bundy McNear Insurance Agency Dennis Demay - National Council of Field Labor Locals Linda Duttlinger - Purdue University NC, Associate Professor Kathy Gipe - Wabash National Corp. Trenten Klingerman - Stuart & Branigin LLP Kenneth J. Paar - Alcoa Retiree Pauline Shen - Tippecanoe County, Health Department Wesley Shook - Coldwell Banker Shook Gerald W. Thomas – Indiana University Health Arnett Hospital

“I take care of an elderly person on very small income, and this food helps us save money so we can get him the meds he need. Thank you!” 

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Our Staff

The mission and outreach of Food Finders Food Bank would be impossible to achieve without the experience and dedication of our hard-working staff. For 2011, we have 13 employees working in the office and warehouse facilities. Katy Bunder, Executive Director Katy O’Malley Bunder is the current executive director of Food Finders Food Bank. Prior to Food Finders, Katy had a long career in academia, working for Purdue University most recently as Associate Director of Admissions for the Krannert School of Management. She began her career at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College working as the Assistant Director of Admissions. In 1997, Katy founded New Chauncey Housing, a neighborhood-based non-profit Housing Corporation, served as its director until 2007 and currently sits on its Board. Katy graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 1980 and received her Master’s degree from the University of Virginia in 1986. As executive Director, Katy leads a team of four senior staff members: Kier Crites, Agency Relations Director Tawny Howe, Business Operations Manager Kim Motuliak, Director of Operations Rick Nelson, Warehouse Operations Director Additional staff members include: Beckie Adams, Development Assistant Penny Middleton, Bookkeeping Assistant Danielle Goldberg, Volunteer Coordinator & Marketing Assistant Kristine Jansen, Program Coordinator Ryan Bresnahan & Tim Jenkins, Shop Floor Associates Mike Parish & Dan Irvin, Warehouse Assistants/Drivers

“Our family only receives $35 per week for groceries. This has been a tremendous help.”

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Food Finders and Feeding America

Over 37 million Americans benefit from the work of Feeding America each year, an organization that incorporates 202 member food banks across the nation, including Food Finders Food Bank. It is a support system to receive not only donations, but also a nationwide network of food banks with which to connect, support, and compare ideas to form a more efficient and wide-reaching effort. Feeding America works to achieve some of the same goals as Food Finders, but on a national level. While Food Finders is acquiring food from local sources within North Central Indiana, Feeding America is securing food from national retailers and government initiatives and distributing these donations to member food banks. Through its nationwide scope, the organization is able to locate areas with the greatest food insecurity and focus donations to these regions. Feeding America also provides a support system for the maintenance and management of food banks across the United States. Communication between different facilities allows members to implement the best practices and standards for running a food bank. Conferences are available for food bank representatives to learn about all aspects of managing and expanding their organizations. Feeding America is also a resource for professional development opportunities and networking among different nonprofit organizations. This networking also extends to building relationships with national donors and creating cause marketing initiatives. Several of these programs have benefitted Food Finders with both food and funds in recent years, including the Pound for Pound Challenge, Hunger Action Month, and Hunger Free Families. The Pound for Pound Challenge asks individuals and groups across the nation to pledge to lose a certain amount of weight, with sponsors donating eleven cents for each pound pledged. September is Hunger Action Month, and individuals can pledge to take a stand against hunger while helping their food bank win a truckload of food. The Hunger Free Families campaign involves individuals telling ten other people about hunger in America for a chance to present a check to the food bank of their choice. Through this, Food Finders was awarded $10,000.

“I have always helped others, and being on the other side gives me insight into how just a little effort from you means so very much.”

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Funding & Finances Food Finders Food Bank has a status of a non-profit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization. In order to receive this exemption, an organization must meet several requirements, including operating to benefit the general public, rather than the private individuals, and receiving financial contributions from several sources and using these donations to operate charitable programs. United Way Funding Food Finders is privileged to have the ongoing support of several local United Way agencies, including United Way of Clinton County, United Way of Howard County, United Way of Cass County, White County United Way, Carroll County United Fund, and the United Way of Greater Lafayette. The involvement of each of these agencies includes financial support, so Food Finders can continue providing helpful programs within the community. Annual Budget In an atmosphere where many nonprofit organizations are struggling for financial assistance, this is not the case for Food Finders Food Bank. In recent years, we have received unprecedented support from the United Way, businesses, and individuals, allowing us to provide for an increasing number of people with food insecurity. However, this continued rise in demand for programs requires an increase in funding. To meet these needs, the Food Finders staff has increased our funding efforts through the use of direct mail, grant writing, and other fund development opportunities. Our annual funding mechanism is based on both current trends and historical needs, and our outreach is adjusted throughout the year to ensure we do not go over budget. In addition to annual funding, Food Finders holds cash reserves which are restricted for emergency use. This amounts to $90,000 for Capital needs and/or disaster funding. Our involvement with Feeding America requires us these backup finances in case of a crisis. The funding needed for our daily operations is primarily covered by United Way grants and government grants. Ongoing operational costs for our facility are funded by program service fees gained through out member agencies. Funding Support for Programs All of the programs run by Food Finders require additional human and operational resources, including trucks, pallet lifts, and storage racks. Each of the programs that hold such impact on the community can only be carried out to the degree it is funded. If Food Finders runs low on donations, it can immediately have negative effects on the families and individuals dependent on the food bank. With the Food for Families program, our means of providing food to our member agencies, the costs of freight, warehousing, and manpower are all absorbed by Food Finders. For our Backpack Program, the food bank is responsible for all the operational costs involved. Our sponsors pay $5 per backpack per week, but it takes around $7 per backpack per week to run the program. All those extra funds come directly from Food Finders’ budget. At our Mobile Pantry events, sponsors only pay for the food made available; the transportation, manpower, and other extraneous costs fall to Food Finders to cover. Likewise, for our Summer Feeding Program, the state pays for the food to be distributed. All administrative costs go to Food Finders; if the grants and funds available to us are depleted, the programs can no longer function.

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The Impact of a Donation What difference can be made with a financial donation? Any amount, from one dollar to ten thousand dollars, can provide valuable resources to the community through Food Finders. The following chart shows the increasing impact

Funds Development mailings Nearly 400 half‐gallons of milk Gifts $1 - $999 Fresh produce for Mobile  Pantry Outreach

Gifts $1,000 - $4,999

Gifts $5,000 - $9,999

Gifts $10,000+

1 Mobile Pantry event Ongoing truck maintenance 1 year, small Backpack Program

1 year of Mobile Pantry events 1 year, large Backpack Program Summer Feeding staff 1 truckload of product

Develop a new program 2 truckloads of product Provide 1,500 families with fresh produce 53 tanks of fuel for our box truck

“This is a blessing. My husband has been laid off since spring. Without [your help], we would have no food.”

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Food Finders in the Community

While the biggest way Food Finders is able to impact the community is through our member agencies, we are also involved with events and programs throughout the year. In addition to community events that are sponsored by local organizations, Food Finders runs several of its own programs to directly help those in need. These include Mobile Pantry Outreach, the Summer Feeding Program, and the Backpack Program. Member Agencies Agencies such as food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters are Food Finders’ main resource for distributing food throughout North Central Indiana. We are connected to roughly 200 agencies in 16 counties, providing them with the food, funding, and information necessary for them to operate. In addition, individuals at each agency are trained in the requirements necessary for being affiliated with Food Finders as well as basic food handling safety. Soon, we hope to offer food nutrition instruction as well, to help our member agencies further educate their own communities. In return for receiving support from Food Finders, we expect our agencies to uphold certain standards. These requirements include guidelines on financial status, the storage and distribution of food, and the agency’s interactions with the public. Organizations must maintain a non-profit status and may not sell any food or non-food items provided by Food Finders. Food must be inspected upon delivery and stored in agreement with food safety guidelines. Agencies that meet these requirements are then able to receive donations from us and shop at our warehouse facility. Members have reported that, by shopping at Food Finders, they can stretch their food budgets 6-8 times further. Mobile Pantry Outreach Introduced in January 2010, the Food Finders Mobile Pantry brings fresh produce, dairy, meat baked goods and other essential food to distribution sites within our service area. Mobile Pantry events are sponsored by hunger fighting agencies in cooperation with Food Finders and can provide nearly 10,000 pounds of food to service between 100 and 200 families. Recipients must meet the following income guidelines in order to collect assistance from the Mobile Pantry program. When a Food Finders’ truck rolls into a parking lot where a mobile pantry will be held, often a line of hungry people is already forming. With a cardboard box or laundry basket in hand, they wait patiently with the promise of free food. The food is quickly set up on tables and pantry guests begin to register for a number determining their turn to shop for food items of their choice. Volunteers take each pantry guest to shop, and while helping to carry groceries, they hear stories of how the recipients came to be there. One woman came to the mobile pantry still in pain after recently having a kidney removed. The chance of getting food to help with expenses was worth the pain endured. Another woman told of how after 35 years of living with an abusive man, she is trying to make it on her own. She was so appreciative for the food to help in her new beginning. Others reveal that the amount of money spent on medicine leaves little or no money for food. Many need to choose whether they will pay their utility bill or buy food.

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Summer Feeding Program Food Finders first began its Summer Feeding Program in 2010. During the course of a summer, we set out to feed hungry children across Lafayette and Otterbein, Indiana. The program was designed to bring food and fun to children in need, especially to those who may not have transportation to get to another summer food service program. That year, Food Finders took meals to 4 locations: Coppergate, Cambridge Estates, Claystone at the Crossing, and Otterbein Public Library. However, the meal was not the only attraction a fun activity was planned for the 3 locations in Lafayette. Throughout the summer, children participated in relay races, crafts, nutrition lesson plans, food tastings, giveaways, and special guest days. In the summer of 2010, the Mayor visited on two occasions, and the fire department and Purdue Men’s Basketball team also visited. These experiences worked to show kids what they can do if they work hard and have motivation to succeed in life. The children were not only inspired to excel and reach for their dreams, but they also saw prominent community members taking time out of their busy schedules to serve others. Food Finders was able to provide a nutritious lunch to approximately 100 kids each day, and many parents thanked us for coming out and providing a meal and an activity for their children. One trend that was noticed is that numbers increased fairly dramatically during the last week of each month. One parent stated that, due to it being the end of the month, they were running out of food stamps and were unable to keep food in the house. Backpack Program  

A church in Lafayette runs a bus ministry on Sunday mornings, driving through the surrounding  neighborhoods and bringing kids back to church for a Sunday school lesson. One week, the children  were particularly unruly, so group leaders decided that feeding the children breakfast was a better plan  than trying to proceed with the lesson. When the children sat down to a pancake breakfast, one little  boy approached his teacher and said, “God answered my prayers!” The teacher smiled and asked what  the boy had prayed for. “I prayed for food,” the boy replied. “I haven’t eaten since Friday.”  After just  this short conversation, the church chose to join with Food Finders to become a packing partner that  sends more than 70 backpacks of food to the local elementary school each week. These backpacks are  distributed to children who, much like that little boy, are at risk for hunger. 

In many school districts where free and reduced lunch eligibility has grown, so has the number of children that come from food insecure homes. With family budgets stretched to the max these days, backpack food is often the bridge between Friday and Monday for some of these kids. Since its inception in 2006, the Backpack Program has grown to serve more than 40 sites in 11 counties in the current school year. More than 58,200 backpacks were distributed in the 2009-2010 school year, totaling up to 423,000 pounds of food for hungry families. Selected students pick up a backpack filled with up to ten pounds of “kid-friendly” and nutritious food as they leave school for the weekend. When the student returns the backpack, they will receive another filled back pack the following Friday. Each backpack contains items such as peanut butter, shelf stable milk, crackers, cereal and soups. Special holiday packs are also provided to supplement the family. A small ham, fresh fruit, gloves, a hat and a few other goodies are often included during this time of the year. The program is specifically aimed at elementary school students who are experiencing critical periods of growth and development. Research conducted by the Center on Hunger and Poverty at Brandeis University indicates that even mild under-nutrition may lead to reductions in physical

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growth and impaired brain function. It is widely reported that children who experience hunger have higher levels of chronic illness, anxiety, depression and behavioral problems. While Food Finders uses statistics through the Indiana Department of Education to invite individual schools, it is up to teachers, staff and administrators at each school to determine which student receives a backpack. Our long term goal is to assist our service area communities in providing this service to their kids in need. Community groups have embraced the program granting operating funds, volunteering and advocating. Most of our existing programs have a church or civic organization as a volunteer partner. With this assistance there is no limit to the children this program can reach! With experience, we have come to realize that where there is a hungry child, there is a hungry family. Our menus are designed to offer as much family size food as possible so that these supplies can be shared with siblings and others in the family. Occasionally, personal care items such as toothpaste or soap may be collected by a volunteer group and added to the backpacks as a special treat. While this program concept is relatively new in Lafayette, similar programs have been adopted by several communities and food banks nationwide. With a strong commitment from Food Finders, the school corporation administrators and support from generous community volunteers, we expect this program to be one of our best for some time to come. Hunger Hike Each fall, Food Finders Food Bank works with other local organizations to organize a 5K walk/run to provide food for the community. The event’s main sponsor is Bison Financial Group, while countless other Greater Lafayette organizations also give their support. Proceeds go to Food Finders, Lafayette Urban Ministry, and the St. Thomas Haiti Project. In 2010, the Hunger Hike raised over $90,000 with a record 1,000 participants. This year, we hope to get even more of the community involved. National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive Stamp Out Hunger is a nationwide event each spring that is organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Each year, the drive brings in over 70 million pounds to communities throughout the United States. Locally, branch #466 has partnered with Food Finders Food Bank for sixteen years to collect donations. Lafayette residents fill a bag with non-perishable food donations and leave it in their mailbox on a specified date. Their letter carrier then delivers the donation to one of several drop-off locations around Lafayette and West Lafayette, where workers and volunteers sort through the food to distribute it to those in need. In the 2010 Letter Carriers Food Drive, almost 72,000 pounds of food were collected on just this one day.

“You guys are heroes to a lot of people out here. This is hero work you are doing.”

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Volunteer Roles Individuals and organizations throughout the community help Food Finders Food Bank by volunteering. There are opportunities to help with ongoing projects, such as backpack stuffing and making laundry soap, or day-to-day opportunities like food sorting, repackaging, and general housekeeping. Annual events also require huge amounts of help from volunteers, such as our Hunger Hike, Community Harvest Food Drive, and Letter Carriers’ Food Drive. The Volunteer Program The goal of the Volunteer Program is to create activities that will benefit both the community and the volunteers. We want to create a positive outcome for people involved with Food Finders. The objective is to make volunteering a legitimate way in which citizens can become directly engaged in events and opportunities that benefit people in need. It’s important for volunteers to do something that they enjoy and are passionate about, and we hope that by coming to Food Finders, they become passionate about eliminating hunger, just like we are. When volunteers enjoy what they are doing, it creates the best result for them and for our agency. Volunteers want to see their efforts make a difference, and whether it is here at Food Finders where they are sorting and distributing food, or at one of the many food pantries we serve where they can watch food go out the door, they can see the end results of their hard work and help. We also have a several opportunities for volunteers, both as individuals and as groups, and they like to be engaged in a variety of activities. Many people who volunteer in our community today can relate to a financial struggle, and may need food themselves or at least know someone who does. Anyone could be in the position where they need extra help with food and groceries at any time, therefore people will do what they can to help others in need. The Volunteer Coordinator and Warehouse Manager work hand in hand to train and supervise each individual volunteer or group of volunteers interested in helping at the Food Bank. There is an overall orientation and tour at the beginning, and then specific instructions and job descriptions depending on the project. The Volunteer Coordinator will organize and train any volunteer who will be sorting, doing general housekeeping, stuffing envelopes or other office work, and participating in any special event. The Warehouse manager helps train volunteers who will be filling backpacks, repackaging food in the coolers, or picking up donations from local merchants to be delivered to the food bank. Each volunteer or group of volunteers is supervised throughout their time at the food bank, and are encouraged to ask questions or for help along the way to either the Volunteer Coordinator or the Warehouse Manager. Volunteer Impact Food Finders would have an impossible time succeeding without the constant help of our volunteers. We have a small staff in the office and warehouse combined, and most of our day to day operations rely on our regular volunteers. We would not be as efficient without the help of volunteers to pickup and deliver donations of food from local merchants and retailers, to sort food that comes in from those donations, and without the many organizations who help fill backpacks at the elementary schools for our Backpack Program. Our volunteers are one of our greatest assets at Food Finders. •

1950 hours were donated by local school children to help with the 2010 Community Harvest Food Drive.

•

300 hours are contributed each year during the Annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive.

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• •

250 hours are dedicated to packing, cleaning, delivering, and dispersing support with our Backpack Program. 250 hours help volunteers organize small, local food drives benefitting Food Finders Food Banks.

• •

1500 hours are needed each year to simply sort food on the warehouse floor. Over 2500 hours are totaled each year during the Hunger Hike, combining hikers, food volunteers, and organizers.

“We really appreciate all of your hard work. The kids love all that you do!”

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Partnership with Purdue University

Located just twenty minutes from Purdue University’s campus, Food Finders Food Bank is involved in many ways with the students and faculty of the school. Many students volunteer at the food bank through their sororities or fraternities, or through clubs and organizations they are involved with on campus. The Boiler Volunteer Network is a system that notifies students when a volunteering opportunity is available, and there are also volunteer fairs throughout the school year to recruit individuals and groups. These student volunteers are vital in completing daily projects to keep Food Finders running smoothly. Organizations within the university itself are also key in securing donations for the food bank. The College of Agriculture holds an annual food drive competition where over 10 departments compete to “out-donate’ one another to win a traveling trophy and other prizes. In 2011, the second annual food drive raised 6,155 pounds of food that went directly to Food Finders. Purdue Musical Organizations has also recently worked to benefit the food bank with its annual Phenomena event, a student-produced rock show. The event is free, but PMO requests audience members to bring nonperishable food items. The 2011 Phenomena show provided Food Finders with 1,001 pounds of food. Purdue residence halls support the food bank with Battle of the Barrels and Project Move Out. The Battle of the Barrels is a part of the Letter Carriers Food Drive, but sets the Purdue University residence halls against the rival Indiana University residence halls. Project Move Out runs at the end of the school year, when students are looking for a way to get rid of belongings they don’t need anymore. Instead of these leftover nonperishable foods, furniture, and clothing going to a dumpster, Food Finders picks up the donations for redistribution to people in need. Purdue also works with Food Finders in professional settings to encourage staff development and set achievable goals. The Purdue Agriculture Extension Office offers resources for education and expertise from around Indiana as well as through other universities, including training and workshops. Purdue’s Development Office has worked with Food Finders in the past to create a list of recommendations, including the creation of several committees and a campaign for a 25th anniversary celebration.

“I am on unemployment now, and I’m making less than $200 a month. You have helped me.” 

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Appendix A – Budget

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