Hunger and Economic Opportunity Moderator: Anchal Saxena, Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, Economic Opportunity VISTA Presenters: Tresha Silver, Bastop County Emergency Food Pantry, Executive Director Michele Mulryan, Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, Social Services Coordinator Money Shy to Money Sure: Building Financial Capability

TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE TEAM

BASTROP COUNTY EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY & SUPPORT CENTER THE FOOD PANTRY WAS INCORPORATED IN 1987 IN RESPONSE TO THE COMMUNITY’S URGENT NEEDS FOR EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE AND HAS EVOLVED INTO A MULTI-SERVICE AGENCY. THE MISSION OF THE BASTROP COUNTY EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY & SUPPORT CENTER IS TO SERVE BASTROP COUNTY RESIDENTS GOING THROUGH PERIODS OF TRANSITION BY PROVIDING EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE, EDUCATION AND SUPPORT. THE PANTRY CURRENTLY PROVIDES EMERGENCY FOOD AND BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE, SHORT-TERM COUNSELING, ADVOCACY, AND EDUCATION IN MANAGING RESOURCES WHILE EMPHASIZING HEALTH AND NUTRITION. WE PROVIDE INFORMATION AND REFERRALS TO CLIENTS TO MEET THEIR OTHER NEEDS.

DEFINITION OF PARTNERSHIP A MUTUALLY-BENEFICIAL WORKING RELATIONSHIP ENTERED INTO BY ORGANIZATIONS* IN WHICH EACH PARTNER HAS NEEDS AND BRINGS VALUE

WHY PARTNER? WORKING TOGETHER BENEFITS OUR CLIENTS. STREAMLINES PROCESS CLIENTS GAIN GREATER BENEFITS HELPS AGENCIES TO WORK TOWARD COMMON GOALS

WHO ARE SOME OF OUR PARTNERS? LADIES OF CHARITY BASTROP ADVOCACY OUTREACH UNITED METHODIST WESLEY NURSE AREA AGENCY ON AGING

WHAT HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED WITH OUR PARTNERSHIPS? OUR CLIENTS HAVE GAINED THE FOLLOWING FINANCIAL SUPPORT HOUSING ASSISTANCE HEALTH SCREENS OTHER TYPES OF RESOURCES & INFORMATION

WHAT DOES OUR AGENCY BRING TO THE PARTNERSHIPS? LARGE CLIENT BASE HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS FREE SPACE OTHER TYPES OF RESOURCES & INFORMATION

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS COMMON VISION MEASURABLE GOALS CLEARLY STATED NEEDS, RESOURCES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROCESS ONGOING COMMUNICATION PAYING ATTENTION TO AND TAKING CARE OF RELATIONSHIP

FIVE STEPS TO BEGIN SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS 1. UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN ORGANIZATION 2. UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS AND MOTIVATION OF THE OTHER ORGANIZATION 3. IDENTIFY COMMON INTERESTS 4. PLAN THE WORK 5. AGREE ON ROLES, TASKS, RESPONSIBILITIES... AND CELEBRATE!

TRESHA SILVA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ORG

The Learning Center Adult Education and Literacy Job Readiness Training Computer Literacy High School Equivalency Full-time students: Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm Part-time students: Monday-Thursday 5:30pm-9:00pm

Vouchers and pantries

Who are we reaching? “The voucher is awarded to any student who attend classes 40 hours a week. Yesterday I was given my first voucher after meeting the criteria. The food bank I chose today said I was the first one there with this type of voucher so far, and I was congratulated for pursuing a GED. Of course, it’s my goal relative to attendance, to get the max hours anyway. I encourage all Ascend students to take advantage of this.” - Jeffrey Hollie, Adult Basic Education Student

“The food bank really helps lots of people and I feel that it is really a blessing that we have people to help us with food. The time they’re spending to help us when we are there is very helpful and giving us food and the amount helps a whole lot. And they are putting us first and everything’s great. I would love if they keep it going because people really need it and it is a great idea to bless the one’s that it does.” - Gwendoline Mayberry, Adult Basic Education Student The scholarship program has been very helpful for me because money gets real tight and this program has been so amazing and it also help you to want to accomplish your goals and come to school. I’m really grateful for this program and I thank y’all from the bottom of my heart for this program.” - Brittney McIntyre, Adult Basic Education Students

Michele Mulryan Social Services Coordinator

What is “Economic Opportunity”? Economic Opportunity Services consist of any program that improves the financial security of low income individuals by addressing their housing, financial literacy, and employment needs.

Hunger and Economic Opportunity Evidence indicates that financial health is linked to economic growth Financial well-being is also linked to physical and mental health Source: Feeding America: Source: United States Department of Labor: Source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: Percent of Unbanked HH

Collaborate with social services to address the root causes of hunger

Question 1: What economic opportunity partnerships is your agency currently engaging in?

Question 2: What organizations are located in your county/area?

Question 3: What are the barriers/challenges to making partnerships?

Question 4: Can anyone share any successful partnerships?

Question 5: What is the best way to evaluate the success of a partnership?