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Sacramento Hunger Commission: November 2003 Minutes

1. The meeting was called to order by Kevin Bond, Chair.
2. September 16, 2003 and October 21, 2003 minutes were both approved (Judie Wilson/Rebecca Fuller).
3. Brief reports and announcements
   • Salvation Army-Kevin Bond gave an overview of their holiday programs: food box distribution Dec 17-19, Adopt-A-Family is filled, and Jan 3 Coats for Kids event. They still need volunteers for the distribution events.
   • Food Stamps-Juan Valdez reported that AB 231 passed and will be implemented January 1, 2004. Sacramento County DHA is exploring the feasibility of allowing homeless, elderly and disabled Food Stamp participants to use their benefits at certain restaurants. This has been implemented on a pilot basis in San Francisco. Contacts within the Sacramento restaurant industry will be needed. As of November 1, all new Food Stamp cases and the over 36,000 existing cases have been transitioned to EBT, with relatively few problems.
   • Elk Grove Food Bank Services -Steve Caruso gave an overview of their programs: Kids Can, a canned food drive with local schools that has received donations of 160,000 cans, Dec 19 Christmas food basket distribution that still needs volunteers, and Jan 19 fundraiser, "Hoops For the Hungry", a one day showcase competition of the top high school basketball teams.
   • CROP WALK-Nina Nelson reported that the Hunger Commission "team" raised $1,085 in pledges and that it is expected that almost $55,000 will be raised locally.
   • Mather Community Campus-Richard Schroeder passed around photos of their amazing pumpkin patch, with huge pumpkins and happy children. Western Growers donated the seeds.
   • Community Gardens-Bill Maynard updated us on the ACT community garden in North Sacramento. They are restaking the plots because they currently have more families than plots. He also reported receiving a phone call just before the meeting regarding the donation of 20 acres of land in Elk Grove for a homeless shelter. The shelter plans to include a garden in the development of the land. More details to follow.
   • Health and Human Services Institute-Peggy Roark announced that CSPC's annual "Navigating the Future" institute will be held January 15. This year the main speaker will be Greg Critser, author of "Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World." Registration forms are available.
4. Nominating Committee - Thanks to Lisa Hill, we have a new, jazzed up "Announcement" for recruiting new Hunger Commission members for 2004. The deadline for applications is December 5. The Nominating Committee will meet in mid-December to make decisions on applications and applicants will be notified before the holidays. The application form is available on the www.targethunger.com web site or can be obtained by calling the Commission office.
5. Hope Awards update - Judie Wilson reported that we have 175+ people registered and the guest speakers have all been confirmed. She asked that the commissioners act as hosts for the event. The Hope Awards Committee will be meeting immediately following this Hunger Commission meeting.
6. State-level Policy Update - Sharon Eghigian instead shared with us some federal-level policy, specifically the Child Nutrition Program Reauthorization. Nothing extra was added to the Program's budget in 2003 and federal and state advocates are requesting an increase of $1 billion for 2004. Sharon Eghigian suggested that now is the time to focus on increasing the budget and to wait until Bush releases his budget in February to advocate for specific policies. Judie Wilson recommended a letter be sent from the whole Hunger Commission. Sharon Eghigian urged Commissioners to also send individual letters, preferably by fax instead of snail mail. She will format a sample letter that Peggy Roark will add local statistics to from Hunger hits Home 2003 and then email to all the Commissioners.

   Action Item: Does the Hunger Commission support the California Food and Justice Coalition principles and policy initiatives? - After much discussion, the Commission decided to revisit this next month. Commissioners felt more information about the organization, its state-wide role (does it dovetail or conflict with CHAC?), and the expectations of members were needed before a decision was made. More information can be found at: www.foodsecurity.org.
   

7. Sacramento Food Charter update- Cindy Nelson reported that the Sacramento Food Charter Committee will meet again on Dec 3 at noon to further develop the charter and discuss ideas to be included in the Food Summit that policymakers have recommended as a follow-up to the charter. Peggy Roark reported that it is time to start setting up meetings with County Supervisors to share with them Hunger Hits Home 2003 and the Food Charter. She suggested that Commissioner "constituents" set up these meetings because it seems to be more effective.
   
8. Action Item: Does the Hunger Commission support the creation of a "cathedral building" task force to develop a plan of action to be considered by the full Commission, that will include long-term strategies for eliminating hunger (without resorting to emergency food providers) in the vision, mission statement and strategic plan of the Commission? - Cindy Nelson and Steve Caruso presented their idea that was influenced by the book, "The Cathedral Within", that Bill Shore of Share Our Strength (SOS) wrote. Judie Wilson moved for the establishment of the Cathedral Building Task Force, Ernie Brown seconded, and the Commission unanimously voted to do so. Judie Wilson, Kevin Bond, Diana Maffei, Franklin Anderson, Chi Cheng, Janet Talsky, Bill Maynard, Cindy Nelson, Steve Caruso and Nina Nelson volunteered to be on the Task Force. The first meeting will be December 10, 12pm at Mather Community Campus (Richard Schroeder will provide lunch).

   Peggy Roark also reported briefly on the meeting she recently had with representatives from Share Our Strength. She said that SOS seemed very impressed with what the Hunger Commission has done and that they may be interested in working with the Commission.
   

9. December meeting/holiday celebration - The Commission decided to combine December's regular Hunger Commission meeting with a holiday potluck. On December 16th at 11:30am at SETA Headstart, there will be a brief Commission meeting, mainly focusing on the accomplishments of the past year and a discussion of the results of the "self audit", followed by a potluck. Judie Wilson offered to bring a ham and Rebecca Fuller will be bringing a vegetarian option. Commissioners are encouraged to bring a dish to share. Judie Wilson also suggested everyone bring a toy or two to donate to Mather Community Campus' toy giveaway to the 90 children in their program. New or gently used, unwrapped toys are needed. The children range in age from 2 to18.
10. The meeting was adjourned at 1:05.

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