We are the community service ministry of our church. We operate a CHOICE Food pantry: the " choice " food model allows families to choose the foods their families prefer over being given a pre-packed box of food that may or may not suit that families food preferences,dietary or health restricitons. The "choice" food model reduces waste from a client standpoint as well as from a supplier standpoint. We offer 14- 30 days worth of food, different from the 3 days supply per family member of other area food pantries. We offer community resource information, as well as the Ohio Benefit Bank, and a ready to read program for children age 0- 5yo; Organic produce,fresh produce and seedling vegetable and herb plants and blood pressure and gluclose screenings.

Problem

We need to move into a larger building that is equipped to accommodate the various programs that need to be immplemented to empower our families into a better quality of life,also to incresse our days of service allowing us to serve more people and other diiverse populations of people who are at risk of food insecurity such as seniors, independent living disabled persons, the working poor and our large percentage of unemployed/underemployed families -: from 1 day per week to 4 days; and the storage /equipment , financial and supportive resources to do this.

Solution

we are attempting to address the nutritional and well being needs of the at risk coommunity who suffer food insecurity by providing a more nutritious selection of food, providing nutritional education /counseling as well as teaching them how to prepare these foods in a healthier more nutrious way more, and encouraging on site movement session in an attempt to create a healthier lifestyle for our people with the intention of bringing more attention to regular health maintenacne of chronic health conditions of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Example

Our program makes a difference in that it addresses the needs of the people vs just giving them food. We are attempting to interject change into generational poverty and unaddressed chronic health condition maintenance. low income/at risk people who are uninsured/underinsuredfrequent emergency rooms more often to addresss basic uncontrolled chronic health issues, driving up over all medical medical costs to society. well being programs don't reach these people nor are they implemented in a way that is well received and incorporated into their lives. Our research has confirmed what their interests and concerns are as well as their interest in improving thier health and well being, but the struggles/challenges and hardships of a life of poverty prevent them from focusing on themselves and their families in thisway. By bring everything to them when they come for food, it's maximizing their time and providing them with beneficial information and help.

Marketplace

my peers are the collaborative partners i havae who believe in the overall well being of an improved life, health and wellbeing of our most vulnerable people. Our competitors- per se, are other pantries/organizatons who offer bits and pieces of what we will offer collectively, ex: blood/glucose screenings, or nutrition classes.