The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Collaborating with Community Partners Kara Prior Agency Relations Capacity Specialist

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Why collaborate? Communities face complex challenges Not one organization alone can end hunger and poverty Issues are interconnected 2

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Reveal Resource Center Joe Bob Ellison, Pastor, Hill Country Nazarene Church Food pantry and clothing closet located at Hill Country Nazarene Church in Cedar Park, Texas Serving hours: Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 3

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Partnership with Williamson County Health Services Partnership formed through church member National grant awarded to reduce the amount of ambulance visits Ambulance stationed onsite to provide free health screenings Evaluates client’s healthcare choices 4

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Partnership with Life Bridge Job Corp Community partner that offers ESL, GED, and Life skills courses Visits onsite 2-3 times per month Offers 10 week classes bridge-job-corps/ 5

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Lessons Learned Organizations must look beyond their personal mission Help clients in more aspects than just food assistance Be open to new ideas 6

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Helping Hands Ministry of Belton Rucker Preston, Executive Director, Helpings Hands Ministry Three major arms of service: Relief, Development, Advocacy Provides food, clothing, household goods, school supplies, financial assistance, and educational classes. Located in Belton, Texas. Serving hours: Monday, Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Thursday 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 7

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Onsite Services Social work intern program Clinic partnership Work with community partners to offer onsite educational classes –TARRY Counseling, McLane College of Business at UMHB, Texas AgriLife Extension of Belton, Scott & White Hospital, Professional Instructors from community 8

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Economic Onsite Services Onsite job training program Tax prep VITA program IDASs (matching savings account program) Payday Lending education 9

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Lessons Learned Link programs: For clients to receive financial assistance they are required to take a Family Finance course. Helping Hands also requires that clients attend an additional education class, but it may be of the client’s choosing Instead of churches competing, work together Community Partnerships come from the support of multiple churches and word of mouth Barriers: Scheduling classes to fit clients schedules can be difficult Successes: Finding skilled individuals to teach has been simple- many professionals are looking for somewhere to share their skills Measurement: In progress of measuring financial literacy classes 10

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Finding Partners Community Partnerships can come from many different places –School –Family –Church –Work colleague –Crisis 11

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Forming Partnerships Step 1: Defining the need for partnership Step 2: Starting the Process Step 3: Setting up and maintaining the partnership 12

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Step 1: Is There a Need For Partnership? What challenges are your clients facing? –Survey –Intake Process What type of community partners would address these challenges? –Asset Mapping Does the potential community partner align with your shared vision? What are the collective benefits to partnership? Do you have significant support from the community partner? 13

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Step 2: Starting the Process Identify responsibilities and arrangements –Who will take the leadership role? –What accountability arrangements are in place? –Do you have a written statement of partnership? Identify shared vision and goals –Is there shared agreement on the goals of the partnership? Are these goals documented? –Create an action plan –What are the benefits of this partnership to clients? Has the partnership identified outcomes both parties would like to achieve? 14

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Step 3: Setting up and maintaining the partnership Document –Shared vision and goals –Purpose, role, and responsibilities of both parties Establish –To whom will the partnership report –Process for decision making –Communication strategy Commit –Investment and resources from both sides –Dedication to the action plan created Measure –Is there a clear, measureable action plan? –Does it link to aims and outcomes? –Does the plan identify the process to review and update? –Implement evaluation and consider when this partnership has served its original goal 15

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Questions? 16