
A Fresh Approach to Food Banking
- foodfightadmin
- March 22, 2023
- Food Bank Support
- rsc pages
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A select set of food banks are redefining their roles in the community, evolving from simply distributing food to becoming comprehensive social service hubs. This dynamic change was sparked by a deeper understanding of the complex challenges faced by individuals experiencing food insecurity, who often juggle multiple financial burdens inclduing housing, healthcare, transportation, and utilities.
On the frontlines of this transformative shift is Feeding Tampa Bay. Under the leadership of President and CEO, Thomas Mantz, they have been transitioning their operations from a traditional food bank model to what they term, a community service model. This shift has led to the conception of Opportunity Hub, a new facility worth $58.5 million and spanning 215,000-square feet.
Opportunity Hub aims to bring a variety of services together under a single roof. Half of its non-warehouse space will be dedicated to an assortment of community partners; healthcare assessments by local clinics, financial literacy training from local finance firms and insurance advisory from local insurance companies. The facility, due to be fully operational by February 2024, is designed with a mall-like versatility, making storefronts accessible from both the interior and exterior to accommodate different operating hours. Mantz shares ambitious plans for the future, anticipating the creation of up to 10 smaller Opportunity Hubs to better serve their expansive ten-county, 9,000-square-mile service area.
Walking a similar path, Greater Cleveland Food Bank is transforming its original warehouse into a Community Resource Center. Scheduled to open its doors in September, this center will house a diverse array of non-profit partners specializing in areas such as healthcare, housing, financial literacy, and workforce development. A dedicated outreach team will operate a concierge service from the center’s lobby, guiding visitors to the specific services they require.
The idea of unifying multiple community partners under one roof is also gaining traction outside the food bank sphere. In California, Fresno Mission, a homeless service provider, is in the process of bringing together around 20 social service groups within a new $30-million, 180,000-square-foot facility, known as City Center. The Central California Food Bank will be a key partner, operating a “free grocery store” within the facility.
As they broaden their horizons, these food banks are also adjusting their success metrics. Transitioning from output-based evaluations, which primarily measure the amount of food distributed, towards more comprehensive outcome-based evaluations, tracking social care and measuring the impact of their work using tools like the Unite Us software.
This new wave of food banks is not just satiating hunger but nourishing communities in a more comprehensive manner, revolutionizing their measures of success along the way.