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.

-Report by T.C. McLemore

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 Robyn Hyden

Listen now

Above: Bradley George, Mark LaGory, and Kristina Scott in the WBHM studio – image via Twitter @WBHM903

The program opened with a discussion of some of the hidden costs of poverty: food costs more in food deserts, access to transportation is limited, jobs offer less flexibility, and low-quality food and healthcare take a physical toll. They talked about how the recession had affected the middle class and low-wage earners, and how Alabama has the second biggest gap between rich and poor in the nation.

Kristina talked about how people in poverty are often able to be resourceful in extreme circumstances, citing the Gee’s Bend quilters as just one example. Dr. LaGory said that we need to focus on our assets, noting that our highly religious population means that we are eager to help – but churches can’t do it all.

Both Mark and Kristina agreed that more civic engagement could have a positive impact on our state, citing Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone, which lists Alabama as one of the least civically engaged states in the country. Mark emphasized that change has to be motivated from within communities. Kristina noted that we have to hold our government accountable for providing public services, like education.

Callers from the Birmingham metro area cited financial literacy, public transportation, job training, and misconceptions about the poor as some of the obstacles we face. The discussion ended by addressing the negative impact that our high poverty rate has on everyone, and why all of us should care.

Download “On the Line: The Price of Poverty”

Posted by Robyn Hyden

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 Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, Slow Food Birmingham, and Greater Birmingham Community Food Partners who promoted this event all over the city.

Posted by Robyn Hyden

The event convened folks from around the state who are passionate about reforming the antiquated Alabama Constitution of 1901, which is not only the longest constitution of any democracy in the world, but also has set up a tax structure and political environment which makes it difficult for the poor to emerge from poverty.

It was great to hear our friends and colleagues including David Mathews, Kate Nielsen, Ed Gentle, Lenora Pate, Hill Carmichael, Audrey Salgado, Melanie Jeffcoat, and APP board member Mark Berte talk about their passion for rewriting our state constitution.

But what inspired me most was the group of people by whom I was sitting.  By luck, I sat at the table belonging to the late Bailey Thomson’s wife Kristi. Bailey started the modern Alabama Constitutional Reform Movement in 2000, and the day’s lunch was in his honor.

Bailey Thomson, founder of Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, died in 2006.

Unlike many people in the room, the Thomsons weren’t discussing legislative strategy to call for a constitutional convention, or talking about the gubernatorial race, or reflecting on the greatness of the man that they knew as a husband, father, and uncle.

They were working through the logistics of taking the kids to multiple open houses for school, what the weekend was looking like, and the fact that they were so excited to host an exchange student from Kenya over the next year. They were ordinary people, with ordinary issues – as was Bailey Thomson. He also happened to have an extraordinary talent to write, to reveal, and to advocate for Constitutional Reform.

I think what we need to move the Constitutional Reform movement forward in Alabama is more people like I believe Mr. Thomson was—an ordinary person with extraordinary talents to contribute.

We all have talents, and using them together is the only way we will discover what’s possible in Alabama. Whether the issue is reforming the 1901 Constitution, increasing food security, or improving educational attainment, the only people who will ultimately change these systems are normal Alabama citizens using their talents for the greater good.

• Connect to the Alabama constitutional reform movement at constitutionalreform.org
• Learn more about Bailey Thomson’s writings and teachings here
• Tell us about ordinary people doing extraordinary things in Alabama
  

Posted by Will Thomas

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

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

“Obtaining a college degree or other advanced credential has proven to be a critical factor in producing both individual and societal benefits. It is often education that breaks generational cycles of poverty. Yet it is troubling to know that 1 in 10 impoverished young adults who have a postsecondary degree still fail to immediately get out of poverty.

This is an alarming trend because these students already face greater academic and financial risks than their more well-off peers when attempting to complete college.

Who are these low-income young adults? According to our recent report at the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), A Portrait of Low-Income Young Adults in Education, there are 35.2 million low-income young adults in the United States who are between the ages of 18 and 26, and whose parents’ income or their own (if financially independent) is up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

…For many low-income young adults, pursuing a college degree involves taking bold steps toward bridging education, careers, and employment. And from a national perspective, higher education success among poor young people puts us closer to achieving our national college completion goals or enjoying the anticipated economic boost that a more educated workforce will generate.”

Dr. Asha Cooper adds that young adults with a college degree still face many obstacles: degree values vary, local labor markets fluctuate, and the economic recession may hinder job availability. However, she adds, an increasing number of jobs in the future will rely on secondary degrees – and a college degree is still the fastest route out of poverty.

What can we do to increase college access here in Alabama?

Our Higher Education Alliance is focused on addressing this very issue. At our fall 2010 Lifetime of Learning Conference (September 17 at Auburn University Montgomery), we’ll bring together presentations on college access, student retention, and service-learning with some of the most engaged and creative people from colleges and universities across the state.

You’ll hear about the models of community outreach and service-learning that are making an impact today. Christianna Russell of Auburn University’s Loachapoka partnership will present the K-12 and community initiatives that are connecting Loachapoka families to the Auburn campus. Cindy Walker of Faulkner will talk about connecting student athletes to at-risk kids in the community in a mentoring and service-learning partnership. And a group from Athens State University will present best practices for implementing a Success program in a local middle school – just to name a few of the great programs we’re spotlighting.

Higher education faculty, staff, students, and other community partners are encouraged to attend! Check out more of our scheduled agenda here. Be sure to register by August 31 for the early-bird registration rate. Contact Hannah Selles for more information.

Posted by Robyn Hyden

Melissa Scott, one of the three terrific workshop leaders, talked about the importance of interdependence and group support in a community. We practiced yoga poses like Eagle, Tree and Chair – first alone, and then with the support of our neighbors.

The most difficult of these group exercises was the Extended Hand-To-Big-Toe Pose – standing in a circle, we all balanced on one foot while extending the other leg. My neighbor to one side grasped my foot while I placed a hand on his shoulder, and then I grasped the foot of my other neighbor.

There were challenges to doing this pose in a group. I’m used to doing it alone! At first, I felt like one of us was bound to lose balance and send us toppling like dominoes. I had to be more aware of those around me. But after I adjusted, it was relief to have someone to lean on.

“Appreciate the neighbor to your left and your right. Think about how he or she is supporting you and helping you stand strong,” Melissa instructed.

Suddenly I wasn’t afraid of falling. I could feel when one of my neighbors (maybe even 2 or 3 people over) was struggling, but we all adjusted to support them. And they shifted to accommodate me. For just a moment, we all stood together – people of differing heights, levels of sweatiness, and yoga skills – together in an imperfect yet solid circle.

The chair circle was  more difficult, but after a few tries, we were all about to support one another.

The lesson? Sometimes in a community, it takes getting awkwardly close to people and putting yourself in an uncomfortable position, but if we work together, each of us can be more successful.

Yesterday, our summer intern Jacob reflected on the collaboration and teamwork it takes to run a non-profit like ours. We deeply appreciate the support we receive from all of our individual and group partners, and it’s true: we really couldn’t do our work without your partnership. Things like our upcoming Lunch Line screening and Huntsville Hunger Workshop would simply not be effective without the support and assistance of partners around the state. We lean on you, and we intend, in turn, to support you. Standing together, we’re all stronger.

Thank you to Melissa Scott, Jasper Elliot Wolfe, and Shannon Andrews Skipper for collaborating with us on this fundraiser! Their work with Off the Mat, Into the World is about taking yogic principles like mindfulness into your daily life. They will begin their 7-week Yoga in Action Birmingham class in October. Email them for more details, or check out their blog: yogainaction.blogspot.com.

Posted by Robyn Hyden

During his summer internship, Jacob was most interested to learn about the kinds of partnerships we maintain with groups like the Birmingham Jewish Federation and our Higher Education Alliance.  As Jacob said:

“My first exposure to the Alabama Poverty Project was when I met Kristina at an advocacy summit held at Birmingham-Southern College. She spoke about how to create coalitions and use them effectively in the non-profit and advocacy arena. The evening’s discussion turned out to be a valuable insight into the kinds of coalition-building opportunities I would get to see in action over my 8 week internship at APP.”

During his first week, Jacob greeted guests at our Blueprints luncheon, where we talked about college access and service-learning.

“June 7^th was the start of my Hess Fellowship, and I spent the first few days becoming acclimated to my work.  My assignment was to work on a college access asset map, a resource aimed at helping low-income and first generation students pay for college. I gathered the information by contacting a representative from each of our Higher Education Alliance institutions and then conducting a twenty-three-question interview.  This project and my own research gave me a greater understanding of the value of a higher education.

During my internship, I became aware of the struggles first-generation and low-income students face when seeking an advanced education. I began to think about what it would be like to apply for college without any parental involvement and how difficult it would be.”

At the Highlands United Methodist Church homeless ministry at Five Points, Jacob joined us to serve breakfast and met Reggie Holder, the director of ministries, who talked about how to form and maintain reciprocal relationships with clients.

“I also began to see how non-profits share resources. On June 21^st, I attended a series of Birmingham Jewish Federation forums highlighting different issues that affect Birmingham and the efforts underway to combat these problems. The panels were part of a unique Jewish Council of Public Affairs “mission trip” program, which brought a group of adult Jewish and African American leaders to Birmingham to retrace the city’s turbulent past and see how it is now moving forward.

We heard from Judge Helen Shores Lee, who shared what it was like to grow up in the African American community during the Civil Rights era. We also visited the Woodlawn area and saw all the great work currently underway there.

As I reflected on my experience that afternoon, I realized that value lies in working together and building off of previous successes. I heard this in Judge Lee’s recollection of her experiences. She recounted her struggle as a little girl and remembered how the Black community had worked together toward a common goal. I also saw this in Woodlawn via the various community partnerships underway. They are working together toward a common goal:  a better community.”

Jacob also helped at our Friends Breakfast, which brought together board members and community leaders to raise funds for APP.

“Every day at the Alabama Poverty Project has been a learning experience. I have learned about the hard work it takes to keep day-to-day operations of a non-profit organization going.  I became aware of the hardship a first generation college student will face on his or her journey toward a higher education.  I learned what a food desert is and how it affects the people living in those areas.

I now have a greater understanding of why it is important to help other communities, not just for the short term, but for the long haul.  I have found that sometimes advocacy work is not always just about concrete results such as policy reform or new legislation, as much as it is about raising awareness.”

Thank you for your hard work, Jacob! We’ve seen you grow and learn during your 8 weeks here. We feel privileged to have this partnership with the Hess program, which brings talented and enthusiastic interns into our office each year. Jacob is still working in our office this week, even though his official paid internship has ended. That’s dedication!

Posted by Robyn Hyden

A complete street: image via foundationbirmingham.org

On a walking tour of Highway 31 next to the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, we noticed how many people of all ages were traveling on foot and bicycle – despite the fact that the environment was not very accommodating. Mark noted “goat trails” where walkers had worn pathways into the grass along the side of the highway, and watched as a young man sat on his bicycle waiting for a green light through two cycles because his bike would not trigger the light change. We then saw a young man help his pre-school-aged son cross the street at a busy, treacherous intersection with no crosswalk and no median or island to serve as a refuge.

Why aren’t our communities more conducive to physical activity? Our entire built environment caters to automobiles. Many of the people who rely on foot transportation or bikes to get around do so out of necessity because they lack a working vehicle. They’re experiencing significant inconvenience and possibly danger, but they’re benefiting from physical exercise. If Mark Fenton had his way, we would all be walking more often, and those walks would be safer, more convenient, and enjoyable.

Amanda Storey of Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities is also interested in getting more kids involved in walking to and from school. In her presentation at yesterday’s summit, she enthusiastically recounted her efforts to bring the Walking Schoolbus to all Jefferson County schools. Walking schoolbuses provide a safe, fun route for kids to walk to school accompanied by an adult.

October 6 is “walk to school day,” and Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities is sponsoring a walking event at Gate City Elementary School. Check it out! G.W. Carver Elementary in Montgomery is having their own walk to school day event. This would be a great time promote more walking in your own neighborhood.

Posted by Robyn Hyden