1. Addressing Hunger Through Referrals Maryann McLendon

2. Objectives The goal of this presentation is to have you leave with a clear understanding of: The impacts of addressing hunger in your organizations settings How to recognize the signs of hunger What you can do to address hunger, as an individual and as part of an organization

3. Hunger Free Colorado Colorado’s leading anti-hunger organization exists to end hunger in Colorado. Initiatives: – The Food Resource Hotline – SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Outreach – Policy and Advocacy Systems and Policy Changes Hunger Through My Lens – Colorado Food Pantry Network

4. Fewer vegetables, fruit and dairy products Lower intake of calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A and B-6 Food Insecurity is Associated with Poorer Nutritional Quality Source: Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Aug;100(2):684-92

5. Hunger Causes Stress for Entire Family High levels of stress: Inability to fight acute infections Contributing factor to heart disease, diabetes, obesity Interferes with brain functioning, learning Interferes with ability to parent

6. So What Can We Do? Delivered Meals Congregate Meals Commodities Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

7. Hunger Free Colorado Hotline Resources Screen and enroll residents in federal nutrition programs Connect to food resources Connect patients to free nutrition classes

8. Dispelling Myths Will receiving benefits take away from a family who may need it more? Will you still be able to receive meals-on- wheels? How long will you have benefits for?

9. Hotline Referrals Identify food insecurity with the client Complete the fax referral and send to the secure fax line or capture client contact information and send to Hunger Free Colorado bi-monthly Benefit to completing referrals: Outreach increased connection from 5% → 78%.

10. Screening for Food Insecurity Questions to ask “When was the last time you worried that you would run out of food before you had money to buy more?” “Medication and healthy food can be expensive, but both are important; would you like information on resources that can help stretch your budget?”

11. Hunger Free Colorado Fax Form Organization________________ Date: _____________ Person requesting resources Name: __________ Address: __________ Best times to call? Morning Afternoon May we leave a message?________ Preferred phone: _____Alternate phone: _______________ Language: English Spanish Other: __________________ ____ Yes, I would like food assistance. A Hunger Free Colorado staff member can call me. Date: __________________ Instructions for Referrers Please Fax this Patient Fax Referral Form to: 1-855-855-6696 Questions about Hunger Free Colorado: Please call 1-855-855-4626 Confidentiality Notice: This facsimile contains confidential information. If you have received this in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and confidentially dispose of the material. Do not review, disclose, copy or distribute.

12. 12 Call to Action Identify families experiencing hunger & refer to HFC hotline Inform agencies you are familiar with Educate others about hunger’s prevalence, impacts and available resources.

13. Contact Us for More Information Hotline 855-855-4626 Maryann McLendon 303-228-7976 Maryann@hungerfreecolorado.org

14. Questions? Comments?