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Archive for the ‘Hunger and Food Security’ Category

Give, and you shall receive

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

As we celebrate this special time of year, we spend a lot of time thinking about what presents to give the folks on our Christmas and Hanukkah lists.

But sometimes the best present you can give is yourself. As the Gospel of Luke says, “Give, and you shall receive.”

Alabama’s faith community lives by this every day. You give of yourselves by volunteering at food banks and organizing food pantries, staffing home repair and shelter ministries and participating in educational and mentoring programs.

The most successful of these anti-poverty efforts build relationships to address the short- and long-term causes of poverty. Relationships are a powerful tool to assist individuals in developing the support, resources and social capital they need to build economic security.

One great example of a relational ministry is Children’s Fresh Air Farm (pictured above), from Birmingham’s Independent Presbyterian Church. It is just one of many faith-based ministries fighting poverty that we’re connecting through our Alabama Possible campaign and our Faith Partnership.

We’re also building our faith partnership by providing resources, research and educational events to serve communities of faith around the state.

How did we help faith communities fight poverty in 2010?

We hosted Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread: A Hunger and Food Security Workshop to support communities in Montgomery, Huntsville and Mobile in fighting hunger.
Our Alabama Possible Summit brought together ministers to talk about the tremendous needs of our neighbors and ways to make our ministries more effective.
Our datasheet, research, sermons & syllabi and our Just Neighbors curriculum offered practical guides for people working on the front lines of ministry.
We tailored educational events and information services to meet partners’ needs.

We are so grateful for your help and support. Individual and faith donors have given almost $23,000 this year to support these and other programs! However, as the year draws to a close we still have a budget shortfall of over $3,000. Can you give?

Your tax-deductible gift will enable us to continue our work mobilizing Alabamians to eliminate poverty through our Faith Partnership and other programs.

Track our fundraising progress at alabamapossible.org/fundraiser

Tags: alabama possible spotlight, faith partnership, Food, food bank, food pantry, gini williams, hunger, ipc, ministry, relational ministry, shelter
Posted in education, Fighting Poverty with Faith, Hunger and Food Security, Making A Difference | No Comments »

2010 Food Summit: Bringing Everyone to the Table

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

The Alabama Poverty Project team had a great time joining the Greater Birmingham Community Food Partners to produce the 2010 Food Summit, November 12-13. We helped plan and moderate the day’s educational programming and reflections on the Birmingham Food Charter. Here is the story of the day in pictures:

Attendees filled the beautiful Avon Theater early in the morning with high anticipation of the day’s speakers. Mayor William Bell welcomed the crowd, and John Talmage from Social Compact talked with us about bringing grocery stores to under-served communities.

Avon Theatre

Our Executive Director Kristina Scott joined Scott Douglas from Greater Birmingham Ministries, Marquita Davis of The Links, Incorporated and the Department of Children’s Affairs, Elaine VanCleave from Bread for the World & ONE Campaign and Melissa Oliver from Alabama Arise on the panel “Using Your Voice: Advocating for change in your community.”

Advocacy Panel

Kristina also moderated the Faith-Based Food Security Panel comprised of Brent Everett from the Southside Baptist Food Pantry, Leanne Pearce Reed from Montevallo Seed-to-Table, Maggie Johnston from Camp McDowell, and Charlie Griffin from Mountain Brook Presbyterian.

Faith-Based Food Security Panel

Horticulturalist Sallie Lee from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) talked about the many programs and resources they offer in Jefferson County and the rest of Alabama. ACES programs include Master Gardener training, workshops and courses on home and community gardening, and plant clinics. They can also provide contact information for Master Gardeners in your area who are willing help get gardens started in their community.

ACES

Other panels, like the Community Garden Panel, had takeaways that people could act on immediately. They offered ideas on how to start a garden in your own yard, finding a garden in your community, and opportunities to attend how-to sessions at Jones Valley Urban Farm.There were great examples around the room of successful home and community gardens. Some attendees even realized they were neighbors and planned on gardening together!

Food Systems Expert Mark Winne was the lunch keynote speaker. He delivered a strong indictment of Alabama’s current food system and a hopeful and empowering look toward the future.

Mark Winne

The David Mathews Center for Civic Life helped us reflect on our new food charter with interactive displays. GBCFP chose to unveil the food charter during the Food Summit to publicly proclaim that the food system should work for the people that use it in an equal, fair, and healthy way.

Food Charter

Thanks to Elisa Muñoz, the Program Coordinator for GBCFP (below), and everyone else who came together to make this Food Summit a great success!

Elisa Munoz

We had a great time and learned a lot! To learn more about the Food Summit and what you can do to address food issues in your community check out these resources:

Posted by T.C. McLemore

Tags: advocacy, Birmingham, civic engagement, community development, community gardens, food security, hunger, jones valley urban farm
Posted in Hunger and Food Security | 1 Comment »

Alabama is the hungriest state in the nation

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

Alabama ranks number one in the nation for households experiencing hunger, according to a report released Tuesday by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). An average of 6.8 percent of Alabama households reported very low food security, or food insecurity with hunger, between 2007 and 2009.

This rate has more than doubled since the last report in 2006, when 3.3 percent of households reported very low food security.

The report, “Household Food Security in the United States, 2009,” also finds that an average of 15 percent of Alabama households experienced food insecurity during the years 2007-2009.

“This report show us how badly Alabamians are hurting right now,” says Kristina Scott, Executive Director of the Alabama Poverty Project (APP). “We hear from folks every day that food assistance and hunger relief programs are being stretched beyond capacity. So many of our partners are in emergency mode, just trying to reach immediate needs.”

Food insecure households reported reduced quality, variety or desirability of diet, with little or no indication of reduced food intake. Households with very low food security reported multiple indicators of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.

“At the Alabama Poverty Project, we mobilize Alabamians to eliminate poverty. This means equipping faith communities, higher education institutions and other community partners who are on the front lines of direct assistance to help people move out of poverty permanently. Together, we can not only work to meet our neighbors’ immediate needs, but also permanently reduce the number of Alabamians who make up these statistics.”

How can you fight hunger?

Get the facts: access our Hunger and Food Security Resources, including the new FRAC report on hunger. Also check out the latest income, health and obesity data

Advocate: visit Bread for the World to learn how to advocate for federal policies to fight hunger. To influence local food policy, connect with Food Policy Councils in Birmingham or Huntsville – or start your own!

Take Action: connect with a community garden or a food ministry in your area to see what you can do.

Posted by Robyn Hyden

Tags: census data, food security, hunger, hungriest state in the nation, usda, very low food security
Posted in Hunger and Food Security | 1 Comment »

Alabama Possible Summit: fighting poverty with faith

Friday, October 29th, 2010

We were thrilled by the turnout for our Alabama Possible Summit last Monday. Over 115 people joined us at Samford University to talk about fighting poverty with faith and building relationships with those we serve in ministry. Dr. Wayne Flynt said that it was “a great day…every session was original, passionate and interesting.”

Below: keynote speakers R.G. Lyons and Wayne Flynt

Dr. Wayne Flynt, Professor Emeritus of History at Auburn and a founding board member of APP, talked about the context of poverty in Alabama and the Biblical call to relational ministry.

View his comments – part 1 (below):

part 2

R.G. Lyons of Community Church Without Walls/WE Community Gardens gave a fabulous presentation on community organizing including the 3 “R’s”: relocation, redistribution, and reconciliation:

part 2

Jim Branum of the Birmingham Baptist Association spoke about how to nourish individual relationships.

We also had lively roundtable discussions on homelessness ministry, home repair, rural ministries and educational ministry.

Below: Rev. Emily Penfield leads discussion on homelessness ministries; Lisa Pierce from Alabama Rural Ministry led the roundtable on home repair. Not shown: Leslie Manning, Sawyerville Work Project, led a roundtable discussion on rural ministries; Beverly Sansom, M-Power Ministries, led a discussion on literacy ministry.

Big thanks are due to Samford’s Resource Center for Pastoral Excellence, the Beeson Divinity School Global Center and the Pete Hanna Center. Thanks to our sponsors at O’Henry’s Coffee, V. Richards, Crestline Bagels and Starbucks for donating delicious coffee and snacks.

Thanks also to our co-sponsors and partners: the Alabama Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Alabama Faith Council, Alabama Rural Ministry, Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, Greater Birmingham Ministries, UAB Catholic Student Association, and Urban Ministry.

More resources:

Posted by Robyn Hyden

Tags: Alabama Possible Summit, jim branum, ministry, reciprocal relationships, relational ministry, resource center for pastoral excellence, roundtable, samford, Wayne Flynt, workshop
Posted in education, Fighting Poverty with Faith, housing, Hunger and Food Security, Making A Difference | 1 Comment »

Huntsville Hunger Workshop report

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Around 60 people came out to The Village Church in Huntsville Tuesday for our fourth and final Hunger and Food Security Workshop.

Rich Hartz from the North Alabama Food Bank started off the day with the presentation of some recent data on hunger and food bank usage in North Alabama.

Karen Wynne from the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network (ASAN) joined our community garden discussion and reported on the newly formed Food Policy Council of Huntsville.

Thanks to The Village Church and their pastor Alex Shipman for being helpful and engaged and letting us use their beautiful space. Starbucks donated food and coffee, which was greatly appreciated. Thanks also to our amazing speakers and all the participants, who shared some touching stories and valuable insights.

What steps can you take to fight hunger in Huntsville and beyond?

Visit our event page to view notes from our group discussion about plans going forward
Connect with the Food Policy Council of North Alabama by emailing Lee McBride – their next meeting is September 8
Plan to attend the 2010 Alabama Food Summit in Birmingham November 12
September is Hunger Action month. Visit hungeractionmonth.org to learn how you can support your local food bank or food pantry.
Educate yourself about hunger and food security in Alabama by viewing our web resources

Posted by T.C. McLemore

Tags: ASAN, food bank, food policy council, food stamps, Hunger Workshop, huntsville, karen wynne, lee mcbride, north alabama, richard hart, the village church
Posted in Hunger and Food Security | 1 Comment »

Fed up with school lunch?

Monday, August 30th, 2010

We had a great turnout at our Lunch Line screening Saturday, where we hosted the Southeastern premiere of a documentary that shows “how you can impact children’s health and work within the system.”

We were lucky to have one of the filmmakers, Michael Graziano, drive down from Nashville. The film, produced by Graziano and his partner Ernie Park at Uji Films, was alternately hilarious, sobering, and poignant. It follows six kids from Detroit who are just trying to make their school food healthier. In the meantime, it offers a comprehensive look at the history of school lunch; the current state of the program, which feeds over 31 million children daily; and the future of school lunch.

We packed the house with over 60 attendees, who together donated over $500 to help mobilize Alabamians to end poverty in our home state. These donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. Thank you!

Most importantly, we started a discussion about the school lunch program, the food system, child nutrition, hunger, and childhood obesity – one we hope to continue during our Hunger Workshop tomorrow in Huntsville and the Food Summit on November 12-13 in Birmingham. We’re planning further Lunch Line screenings in Montgomery and at UAB, UA and Auburn; details TBA! If you would like to host a screening with us, contact T.C. McLemore.

Our panel discussion included (above, left to right):

Amanda Storey, coordinator of Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Jefferson County

Scott Silver, the Farm-to-School Coordinator for Jones Valley Urban Farm

Sharon Boshell, Area director for the Child Nutrition Program in Shelby County

Jennifer Horton, parent and chair of the CPC Education Workgroup

Michael Graziano, co-producer of Lunch Line

Amanda, our moderator extraordinaire, sent us these resources about school lunch reform:

www.onetray.org
www.healthyschoolscampaign.org
www.chefann.com
www.lunchbox.org
www.farmtoschool.org
www.fedupwithschoollunch.blogspot.com
www.scoolfood.org
Birmingham News article on free and reduced school lunches in Alabama
School Lunch: A Peculiar History – written by local Birmingham blogger Jason Horn.

To advocate for the Child Nutrition Act working its way through Congress, see Slow Food’s Info on Child Nutrition Reauthorization.

Big thanks to Amanda, Jenn, Scott, Sharon, and Michael for bringing their knowledge, experience, and viewpoints to an excellent panel discussion!

Thanks also to our audience members, who asked great questions; Merrilee and Brad at the Bottletree Cafe, who generously gave us their space; and Greater Birmingham Community Food Partners, Jones Valley Urban Farm, Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, and Slow Food Birmingham who promoted this event all over the city.

Posted by Robyn Hyden

Tags: amanda storey, Birmingham, child nutrition act, child nutrition program, children's policy council, ernie park, greater birmingham community food partners, healthy kids healthy communities, jefferson county, jennifer horton, jones valley urban farm, lunch line, michael graziano, school lunch, scott silver, sharon boshell, shelby county, sidewalk moving picture festival, slow food
Posted in Hunger and Food Security, Making A Difference | No Comments »

Lunch encounters of the third kind

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

One Tray posted this hilarious video to promote Farm to School programs:

The Child Nutrition Act is up for re-authorization in the House of Representatives. 56 percent of Alabama children receive free or federally reduced school lunches through the school lunch program. This bill has the power to change the foods appearing on their lunch trays.

What can you do?

Attend our Lunch Line screening this Saturday, August 28th. We’ll view a short documentary about the school lunch program and discuss some solutions with a farm-to-school coordinator here in Birmingham, a school lunch director, and the filmmaker. (Bonus: all proceeds from this event will fund the work of the Alabama Poverty Project and will be matched by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham!)
Sign a online petition to support One Tray’s Farm to School campaign, or send a letter to your representative to encourage passage of the Child Nutrition Act reauthorization.
Check out this Community Action Guide to Change School Food Policy (PDF)

I hope to see you this Saturday at the Bottletree for our Lunch Line screening and discussion!

Posted by Robyn Hyden

Tags: 2nd most obese state, 4th most diabetic state, back to school, farm to school, school lunch
Posted in education, health, Hunger and Food Security | No Comments »

Alabama ranked third in food hardship

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

According to a recent study released by the Food Resource and Action Center (FRAC), nearly 1 in 4 Alabamians experienced food hardship in 2009.

Food hardship is the the lack of money to buy food that families need, and Alabama’s food hardship rate is the third worst in the nation, behind Mississippi and Arkansas.

The Birmingham metropolitan area has the 7th highest rate of food hardship in the country, with 22.1% of Birmingham residents experiencing food hardship during 2008-2009. The map below shows Alabama’s Food Hardship by Congressional District.

What can you do? We invite you to attend our Huntsville Hunger and Food Security Workshop on Tuesday, August 31, 2010. Our goal is to provide you with the resources to fight hunger in your own community, and the program will feature discussions about local food programs, community gardens, and food stamps.

Register through today at the early-bird rate of $12, or pay $15 at the door. Lunch and program materials are included.

Posted by T.C. McLemore

Tags: 2nd most obese state, 4th most diabetic state, 7th poorest state, food desert, food hardship, low median income
Posted in Economics & Employment, Hunger and Food Security | No Comments »

Join us for the Southeastern premiere of LUNCH LINE, a school lunch documentary

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

On August 28 at the Bottletree Cafe, Alabama Possible, the Greater Birmingham Community Food Partners, Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities, Jones Valley Urban Farm, and the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival present the Southeastern premiere of Lunch Line, a school lunch documentary. This film reframes the school lunch debate through an examination of the school lunch program’s surprising past, uncertain present, and possible future.

“Lunch Line reveals the National School Lunch Program’s surprising history and the unexpected ways it has grown and changed over the years to feed more than 31 million children every day,” said Michael Graziano, who co-directed the film with Ernie Park, his partner at Uji Films. According to Park, “The film pulls back the curtain to reveal, through school lunch, how large-scale social change can work.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion about the film and the child nutrition program. The discussion will include Graziano, Scott Silver, farm-to-school coordinator for Jones Valley Urban Farm, and Maureen Alexander, Child Nutrition Program Director for Shelby County. Amanda Storey, coordinator of Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities, will moderate.

Currently, 54 percent of Alabama children receive free or federally reduced school lunches. Kristina Scott, executive director of the Alabama Poverty Project, says now is the time for Alabamians to engage in discussions about childhood nutrition and food security.

“13.3 percent of Alabamians are food insecure and we are the second most overweight state in the country. Food security is not just about having enough to eat; it is also about access to adequate nutrition, which many low-income Alabamians do not have,” said Scott.

Posted by Robyn Hyden

Tags: 2nd most obese state, 4th most diabetic state, Birmingham, child nutrition program, healthy kids healthy communities, jefferson county, jones valley urban farm, lunch line, school lunch program, shelby county, sidewalk moving picture festival
Posted in Hunger and Food Security | 1 Comment »

Hey north Alabama: let’s discuss hunger

Friday, August 6th, 2010

You’re invited to join us for Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread: Feeding God’s Children, our Huntsville hunger and food security workshop. This event is co-sponsored by The Interfaith Mission Service.

13.3 percent of Alabamians are food insecure, meaning they have limited or uncertain access to a healthy diet. What can you do?

Get resources you can use now to fight hunger and food insecurity in your community. Representatives from food pantries, food banks, hunger ministries, community gardens, and government aid agencies will be on hand to discuss the sustainable, long-term solutions to our state’s hunger problem.

Who should attend? Social workers, teachers, outreach ministers, faith leaders, community leaders, and anyone who is interested in working together to end hunger in north Alabama. Continuing education credits available upon request.

Date: Tuesday, August 31st

The Lincoln Village Church

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

$12 – Early Bird registration before 8/23
$15 late registration

Agenda

9:30 a.m. Registration

10:00 a.m. Welcome – Jilleyn Foley, Alabama Poverty Project
Hunger Report for North Alabama – Richard Hartz

10:15 a.m. Local Hunger Programs

Richard Hartz of the Food Bank of North Alabama

Fran Fluhler of Manna House Food Pantry

Gayla Kidd of the Huntsville Assistance Program

11:15 a.m. Break

11:30 a.m. Community Gardening

Lee McBride of CASA, Madison County

Jeff Komara, Lincoln Village Ministries

12:30 p.m. Lunch

1:15 p.m. Government Aid Programs

Mary Lois Monroe, Director of Nutrition Education, Alabama DHR

Mary Jo Dennison, Director of Madison County Financial Programs

2:00 p.m. Small Group Discussions

3:00 p.m. Reports from Small Groups

3:45 p.m. Final Thoughts

4:00 p.m. Safe Travels

Contact T.C. McLemore with any questions.

Tags: community gardening, DHR, florence, food bank, food pantry, Hunger Workshop, hutsville, north alabama
Posted in Fighting Poverty with Faith, Hunger and Food Security, Making A Difference | No Comments »