Nichole Rydahl
Outcome Evaluation of Emergency Food Programs in Kent County, Michigan
There are many food programs, such as soup kitchens, food pantries, and food banks that provide emergency food to individuals and families who are in need. Many of these different programs emerged in the 1980’s in response to a recession. In Kent County, there are a number of agencies currently working together to tackle huger in our community. The Kent County Essential Needs Task Force (ENTF) is a group of community leaders who help coordinate hundreds of non-profits, governmental agencies, faith-based organizations, funders, and concerned volunteers to help those in need become self sufficient. Another group that helps fight hunger in Kent County is the All County Churches Emergency Support System (ACCESS). ACCESS coordinates a network of food pantries and helps them gain the resources they need in order to provide for needy individuals and families. Feeding America is another organization that provides local pantries with food products that they use to directly serve the needy.
Our project focuses on working with these groups and figuring out the best way to provide those in need with nutritious foods. There was an increase in the ENTF funds last year and this allowed Feeding America to purchase a refrigerated truck. A refrigerated truck allowed them to transport perishable foods to the local pantries. The fund also allowed for an increase in the amount of useable storage space many food pantries needed in order to serve all of their patrons. We are looking at how the available funds were used (purchasing a refrigerated truck, increase storage space) and how it has or hasn’t made a difference in the availability of nutritious foods for those in need.
Faculty Mentor: Stephen Borders, Public Administration
Outcome Evaluation of Emergency Food Programs in Kent County, Michigan
There are many food programs, such as soup kitchens, food pantries, and food banks that provide emergency food to individuals and families who are in need. Many of these different programs emerged in the 1980’s in response to a recession. In Kent County, there are a number of agencies currently working together to tackle huger in our community. The Kent County Essential Needs Task Force (ENTF) is a group of community leaders who help coordinate hundreds of non-profits, governmental agencies, faith-based organizations, funders, and concerned volunteers to help those in need become self sufficient. Another group that helps fight hunger in Kent County is the All County Churches Emergency Support System (ACCESS). ACCESS coordinates a network of food pantries and helps them gain the resources they need in order to provide for needy individuals and families. Feeding America is another organization that provides local pantries with food products that they use to directly serve the needy.
Our project focuses on working with these groups and figuring out the best way to provide those in need with nutritious foods. There was an increase in the ENTF funds last year and this allowed Feeding America to purchase a refrigerated truck. A refrigerated truck allowed them to transport perishable foods to the local pantries. The fund also allowed for an increase in the amount of useable storage space many food pantries needed in order to serve all of their patrons. We are looking at how the available funds were used (purchasing a refrigerated truck, increase storage space) and how it has or hasn’t made a difference in the availability of nutritious foods for those in need.
Faculty Mentor: Stephen Borders, Public Administration
Page last modified July 26, 2010
