Looking back at what I said one year ago I’m happy to say we were able to tackle the biggest challenges, reaching 10 million pounds of distribution and doing something about senior nutrition. In spite of significant reductions in national donations we came within 2% of our goal of distributing 10 million pounds of food. Increasing the challenge was a continued decline in the amount of food provided by the federal commodities program due to level funding and increased food costs. With a goal of 11 million pounds in 2008 the staff is already working to think up ways more food donations while keeping fingers crossed that the Federal Farm Bill will pass will higher funding levels to increase the volume of commodities we receive. In mid-year we were also able to start a nutrition program targeted at seniors to frail to leave their homes to take advantage of public services. The program is being run by Lisa Davis and was begun with funds from a $10,000 grant provided through the United Way from the National Football League. Lisa has spent five months working with senior centers and churches around the Mobile area identifying over 200 seniors in need and connecting volunteers to the effort of delivering the food.
We can expect 2008 to be just as busy as last year. Our new 4,000 square foot boxing and sorting area will allow us to call on more volunteers and sort more food. Construction of our emergency kitchen will begin shortly and, when completed, we’ll learn how to make use of the equipment to improve the snacks we provide in our after school nutrition program as well as our summer lunch program. We’ll be overseeing the construction of our new facility in Milton, Florida, racing to complete the facility before a serious storm calls for its use and before our leased facility is sold by the landlord. We’ll be looking at grant opportunities to provide enough funds for a full 12 month senior nutrition program for the 200 seniors we now have in the program as well as additional funds to expand the program to help others. The staff will also be working with our volunteer Board of Directors in a capital campaign to raise $500,000 for the 4,000 square foot addition and the Kitchen at Theodore warehouse as well as $200,000 to begin paying for the Milton facility. We can expect new challenges but I expect to see new successes as we move through the year.
The Food Bank is all about helping people. We expect 2008 to be no different and will work to do it cost effectively so more can be helped.