Small group discussion notes

CHALLENGES WE FACE:

- Accessing information to share with our clients, parishioners, and neighbors

o Barriers: lack of networking and dialogue with fellow faith groups, information is scattered in many locations

o Information silo: we keep our own resources within our own small community or church

o Challenge to reach outside of our congregations to help others in need and work with other groups toward similar goals

- Communicating information about available resources and services to

those in need o Barriers: language differences, illiteracy, lack of accessibility to

internet, TV, lack of transportation to and from aid organizations o Reach out beyond our own four walls to find resources elsewhere

that may be useful o Utilize pre-existing resources; the key is knowing how to access

them and help others do the same

- Policy barriers to good nutrition that need immediate reform o Repeal the grocery tax – get involved with lobbying, writing to local

and state legislators, mailing grocery tax receipts to your local representatives

o School lunches: unhealthy, underfunded. Children need access to healthy, fresh food to establish good health, eating habits.

RESOURCES WE CAN ACCESS:

- Networking with other organizations o Food banks for immediate hunger relief; government resources for

stable source of aid; JOBS program, community networking to help people find steady income, transportation, child care

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD  A Hunger and Food Security Workshop

Capitol Heights Baptist Church

March 18, 2010  

o Donʼt forget about groups working in other churches, denominations, faiths – also donʼt be afraid to access government resources, community gardens, things you havenʼt considered

o Utilize contact sheet and resources from todayʼs event

- Community members: people in our churches and neighborhoods o Faith communities are motivated by compassion and a Biblical

mandate to “love thy neighbor” and care for the least of these o Wealth: give financial resources to help aid groups make the

maximum impact o Volunteerism: connect willing workers to worthy projects o Advocacy: use powerful voices within the community to influence

others to give, volunteer, vote – word of mouth, sharing information with our friends, neighbors, co-workers

SUGGESTIONS GOING FORWARD:

- Find more efficient ways to share information (like info and resources we shared today):

o Montgomery list-serve? o Web site for inter-faith aid groups to work together, share resources

and info? o Co-sponsor events? Meetings?

- Find more effective ways to communicate with those in need

o People are accessing emergency food pantries who have never used them before; how do we intervene to give them useful info about DHR resources, other food aid?

o People who are familiar with the food relief system (regular clients) may be able to help those who are new to the process (situational poverty due to job loss, underemployment)

o Reach out: get out of your church and into the community. Utilize door-to-door visitation, direct contact, mailings. Donʼt just rely on people to be able to find you on their own.

o SOLICIT FEEDBACK and make sure that programs are in line with what community members need.

- Community gardening! o Work with local church or neighborhood group to start one, or work

at a pre-existing garden o Make sure that you have enough willing and enthusiastic

participants o Jones Valley Urban Farms offers training, resources to get started o See our community gardening resources for more info