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November Calendar - edit v2

Dear Hunger Relief Partners,

2020 has tested Food Bank of the Rockies in ways we could not have previously imagined. We recognize the difficulties our partners have experienced over the past eight months; we are now distributing 50% more food each month than one year ago, with some months at 80%+ over pre-COVID-19 levels. You, our frontline partners, have met the increased demand within your communities. We acknowledge the tremendous strain of this rapid and sustained growth and praise your resilience.

In addition to the impact of the devastating wildfires in Colorado and Wyoming, this winter brings the additional concern of rising COVID-19 cases for many of our partners. Many communities across the country are also anticipating the potential for election-related protests. If civil unrest might impact our operations or food distributions, we will communicate with you promptly.

While these are trying times, we encourage you to take a moment to nurture yourself this holiday season.

 “Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” — Eleanor Brown

The spirit of Thanksgiving is one of family, friends, love, inclusiveness, gratefulness, and fabulous food. Food Bank of the Rockies is grateful to partner with your organization, grateful for your and your families’ continued health and safety, and grateful that as a team we are able to provide nutritious food to our communities in need.

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy Thanksgiving,

Cindy Mitchell
VP of Programs, Food Bank of the Rockies

Food Bank of the Rockies Closure: November 26th & 27th

To allow all employees and volunteers time to spend with their families during the Thanksgiving holiday, all Food Bank of the Rockies distribution centers and offices will be closed on Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th. We are thankful for the partnership, hard work, and dedication to helping the communities we serve. Please refer to the November Calendar for changes in agency order dates. No mobile pantries are scheduled for these dates. All partner deliveries will be rescheduled.

Holiday Boxes

While Food Bank of the Rockies does not prepare food boxes specifically for the holidays, we do partner with groups to support their holiday food distribution needs and efforts. For partners who are planning special distributions with holiday boxes including traditional meals/food items, toys, or household goods, please let us know. Please fill out and return this flyer to partnerfbr.convio.net so we may refer families to you.

Link2FeedTraining

In our previous newsletter, we introduced new features of Link2Feed, our free intake software. These features include CNCT (client self-enabled intake), Quick Click, and more. Whether you are a current Link2Feed user, would like to become one, or just want more information, we are providing a Link2Feed training two Wednesdays a month. These trainings will be held virtually at either 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. If these dates and times do not work for you, our programs team will be happy to accommodate your schedule. The RSVP link is provided below.

To sign up for a training, visit: http://bit.ly/L2FRSVP

If you have any questions on Link2Feed, email: l2f@foodbankrockies.org

COVID-19 Guidebook

As COVID-19 cases spike across the United States, we are here as a resource for partners to get through this pandemic together. Please review our COVID-19 Guidebook for ways to serve our communities with safety in mind. The guidebook includes sample staff/volunteer communications if you have a positive COVID case and other useful resources.

Also, check out this new COVID-19 exposure notification app for iPhone and Android devices by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

Inclement Weather Policy During Pandemic

Food Bank of the Rockies will endeavor to make closure determinations due to inclement weather in a timely manner. Closure information will be posted on our website and on our phone messaging system. And as colder weather moves into the Rockies, please make any necessary accommodations to ensure that all volunteers and clients can remain warm, safe, and continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 guidelines. In an effort to support our diverse agencies, we have compiled a list of recommendations for winter distributions.

  • Staff, volunteers and clients need to perform COVID-19 self-checks before arriving. This includes temperature and symptom checks.
  • Regularly clean and wipe down surfaces.
  • Have hand sanitizer available and encourage frequent hand washing.
  • Masks and gloves are required for all volunteers; clients are required to wear masks.
  • Compile all food boxes inside.
  • Assess your organization’s ability to serve clients indoors:
    • Enough space for all individuals to practice safe social distancing
    • Provide hand sanitizer
    • Place occupancy limits (one person per household)
  • Implement drive-through model
    • Rotate volunteers moving boxes inside to distributing to clients outside
    • Drive-through procedures can be found here: https://fbr.convio.net/agency-portal/agency-resources/
  • Conduct delivery service for vulnerable clients or establish designated pick-up time.
  • Reduce time clients and volunteers are spending in inclement weather.
    • Implement appointments/time slots
    • Regularly rotate volunteers outside (recruit more if necessary)
    • Purchase/ask for donations of heaters or warming tents
    • Use Link2Feed and CNCT to speed up client intake
    • If clients must come into the pantry, create a call line so that they can wait in their cars until food is ready.
  • Be sure to alert all clients to changes in winter distribution using your website and social media. Email our programs team at partnerfbr.convio.net with any changes to your distribution days and times.

Zipwhip: Business Text Messaging Software

Food Bank of the Rockies now uses a texting platform called Zipwhip. This business text messaging software allows our partner relations team to contact partners through text messages. Sign up for Zipwhip to receive text messages regarding important updates and learn more about additional products. To sign up, text your first and last name and the name of your organization to 303-371-9250.

Culturally-Responsive Food Initiative

Food Bank of the Rockies recognizes that clients with diverse cultural backgrounds may experience barriers to utilizing food pantries. Concerns over eligibility, language access, or unfamiliarity with typical pantry food offerings may present obstacles to service.

To center our efforts efficaciously for our clients, Food Bank of the Rockies will pilot the Culturally-Responsive Food Initiative program in seven counties. This project aims to examine internal policies and work flows, strengthen our partnerships, and create toolkits to empower clients and partners. Feedback from partners and clients will be a crucial component to our success.

In the coming months, the Culturally-Responsive Food Initiative program will be piloted in Denver, Morgan, Pitkin, Eagle, Garfield, Sweetwater, and the two counties encompassed by the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. After a successful pilot of the program, the goal is to roll out these new tools to the rest of our counties.

We look forward to sharing our progress with you.

If you have questions, please contact Amanda McGimpsey at amcgimpsey@foodbankrockies.org.

SNAP Update

Economic upheaval brought on by the coronavirus pandemic means people need food assistance now more than ever. SNAP has been a crucial resource for many Americans facing economic hardship. As of May, there has been a 17% increase in applications. The current Administration recently proposed a rule (SNAP ABAWD) that would have cut food stamps for nearly 700,000 unemployed Americans. If enacted, this rule would have made it more difficult for states to waive work mandates for ABAWDs (able-bodied adults without dependents) seeking SNAP benefits. This would have exacerbated food inequality in our communities. On October 18th, a federal judge struck down the proposed rule, ensuring that unemployed ABAWD Americans can still receive their benefits.

If you have questions about SNAP enrollment, please contact Russell Nylen, SNAP Outreach Representative, at rnylen@foodbankrockies.org.

Holiday Volunteer Tips from Feeding America

This holiday season, if you have more people interested in volunteering, or are in need of volunteer assistance, the information below provided by Feeding America may be useful.

  • With social distancing regulations, recruiting volunteers and volunteering is a tricky task. Always keep in mind the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s regulations for social distancing and using personal protective equipment.
  • Provide necessary safety equipment and sanitizer for volunteers and staff.
  • Contact food banks or food pantries near you about volunteering and referrals. They may be able to share a volunteer network.
  • Volunteer orientations may be useful for sharing policies and procedures.
    • Have additional volunteer opportunities outside of the typical volunteer role at your organization. You may need assistance with media, delivery, intake, assembly, and more.

Featured Post: Q&A Blog: The Strength of School Partners

Visit Feeding America's Hunger + Health Blog for a Q&A discussion with Aoife Dowd on the role of schools in addressing food insecurity, partnerships between schools and foodbanks, and the adjustments in operations schools have implemented due to COVID-19. Dowd is the School Initiatives Coordinator for Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine and former Feeding America Child Hunger Corps member at the Community Food Bank of Alabama.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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