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Sacramento Hunger Commission: April 2004 Minutes

1. The meeting was called to order by Steve Caruso, Co Vice-Chair.
2. There were no corrections to the March 16, 2004 minutes, but they could not be formally approved because of the lack of a quorum at that point in the meeting.
3. Brief reports and announcements
   • Steve Caruso reported that the Elk Grove Food Bank Services is negotiating with the founders of the new Elk Grove Community Garden to take the garden under its umbrella; some plots will be available for growing food for Food Bank clients.
   • Peggy Roark noted that the neighborhood/health fair season is here, and urged Commissioners to sign up to staff a Hunger Commission table at several upcoming fairs, including Darrell Steinberg’s two Youth Fairs, the Unity Festival, and a Tahoe Park fair. These fairs are a good way to meet both neighborhood residents and a variety of service providers. A signup sheet was passed around.
4. Juan Yniguez reported on the Founding Convention on Ending Poverty in California, the first annual statewide poverty convention, which he will attend June 18-19 in Los Angeles. It is being convened by Senator Richard Alarcon and a number of supporting organizations. Juan noted that it was too late for the Hunger Commission to be a formal supporter, but he suggested encouraging other attendees at the Convention to essentially develop a Food Charter and local Food Summit in their own communities. The motion, empowering Juan to submit a resolution at the Convention encouraging other entities to adopt the idea of a Food Charter and Food Summit, was seconded by Mike Opper and after some discussion, passed with one dissenting vote. Juan also expressed the hope that the Senator would use his “bully pulpit” to push Food Charters, Summits and action plans to end hunger throughout California. It was also suggested that he be invited to our Sacramento Food Summit. At the end of the discussion the Hunger Commission agreed by consensus to support the Convention.
   
   Another major conference is the Second California Community Food Security Summit, “Taking Back the Food System”, in Los Angeles June 10-11. Jake Salcone will attend both the conference and a meeting on June 9 re community food assessments. Laurie Green will also attend.
   
   Melissa Ortiz-Gray, as Lisa Tadlock’s alternate, reported on plans for Hunger Action/Save the Safety Net Day, scheduled for May 12. The program is not completely finalized, but it will begin with a welcome by Darrell Steinberg and others, and include a rally and march as well as visits with legislators. Juan Yniguez and Steve Caruso are setting up visits with five legislators (or their staffs) and it was suggested that all local legislators be invited to the Food Summit. A meeting has already been set with Kathy Dresslar from Steinberg’s office A Hunger Action Day signup sheet was circulated, and Commissioners were also reminded that Mather/Hunger Commission will be making lunches on May 11.
   
   Peggy Roark reported briefly on the three state bills supported by the California Hunger Action Coalition:
   • AB 2013 (Steinberg) to end finger imaging for Food Stamp applicants
   • AB 2200 (Hancock) to require all public schools to serve breakfast
   • AB 1796 to restore Food Stamp benefits to families with an adult member with a drug-related felony

   Letters of support have been written for all three, and they are all moving through the Assembly.
   

5. Report on Hunger Hits Home release, Food Charter at City Council, Food Summit.
   Steve Caruso reported on the press conference releasing Hunger Hits Home in late March, the unanimous adoption of a Food Charter resolution by the Sacramento City Council on April 8, and the upcoming Food Summit (tentative date- Oct. 7). Others who had been present at the press conference and City Council meeting congratulated Steve on outstanding presentations at both events. It was suggested that we continue to focus primarily on the three major points of the Executive Summary when publicizing Hunger Hits Home. With regard to the press conference, the question was raised whether an article had appeared in The Observer – we will check.
6. Update on 3 Challenges and on Cathedral-Building
   Kay Schlegel and Peggy have both written up their experiences with the three-day Food Stamp challenge, and these have been distributed to Commissioners. Laurie Green has done the Food Bank box challenge but not yet written it up. Kay noted that three days was not really enough time, and that one of the most significant feelings was a sense of isolation because she could not bring food to share at work. Laurie suggested that very simple recipes for items in the food box would be useful. There was some discussion about next steps, perhaps involving the media, but it was decided that a few other Commissioners should do one of the Challenges first, ideally before the May meeting.
   
   Steve Caruso reported briefly on the progress of the Cathedral-Building group. The group developed a draft vision statement at its last meeting, and will be working on a mission statement at the 4/29 meeting. People have been asked to come to the meeting with a draft mission statement. Key categories that emerged from the last meeting are Resources, Access, Community Partnerships, and Education.
7. Finances/Fundraising – update and ideas
   Peggy first reported briefly on the financial status of the Commission for 2004-05 if no other major grants are obtained and the City totally eliminates our funding. The City Manager’s proposed budget will be released 4/30, although there may need to be additional City cuts after the state budget comes out this summer. Steve Caruso reported that the Elk Grove Food Bank Services should be able to financially support the Hope Awards through the sale of signed River Cat photos on their special day at Raley’s Field August 1. Juan Yniguez also reported that the Community Services Planning Council will be developing an action plan in the near future to help find financial support for some of its programs, including the Hunger Commission.
   
   Danielle Blacet then led off a discussion of possible fundraising ideas, starting with a memo she had recently written and that had been sent to all Commissioners. There was a lively discussion about sustainability, the need for “big picture” goals and funding priorities, the importance of foundation and government support as well as fundraising events, and the possibility of eventual support from corporations or large businesses. New volunteers for the fundraising committee include Steve Caruso and Bill Maynard, with other Commissioners, such as Juan Yniguez, expressing interest in a “strike committee” to preserve some core City funding. Danielle noted that she was still looking for a well-known celebrity with personal experience of hunger, and reminded the group that Hunger Awareness Day on June 3 might provide an opportunity to raise awareness and even funds.

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