Notes from AHPC 2016 from Lori Townsend, ONT Program Director

I like FRAC.  FRAC (Food Research and Action Center) works to improve public policies and public-private partnerships to eradicate hunger in the US, and I’ve found them a source of valuable information about hunger-related issues.  (For a great read, see FRAC’s publication Eight Essential Strategies to End Hunger in America at http://frac.org/pdf/plan-to-end-hunger-in-america.pdf.) When offered the opportunity to travel to Washington, DC to attend FRAC’s 2016 National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, I jumped at the chance! 
And, I wasn’t disappointed - two and a half days chock-full of seminars addressing a wide variety of issues affecting our country’s safety net for people who are food insecure; the opportunity to learn from experts in our field, including Kathryn Edin, co-author of Two Dollars a Day, (another must read!); and meetings with the staff of each of our U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey… and a surprise visit with Congressman Seth Moulton!
Sounds like enough excitement for one conference, but, it was the session I attended called Food is Medicine – Improving Health through Healthcare Partnerships that provided me with resources that I hope will prove invaluable to future programs at Our Neighbors’ Table.
Health care providers are becoming increasingly aware that an important piece of improving patients’ health is addressing food insecurity, and many physicians and hospitals around the country have taken a preventive approach by actively screening for food insecurity, and offering services to address them. Building partnerships between healthcare providers and community service organizations like Our Neighbors’ Table is a model that has seen a great deal of success across the country. 
During this session, I had the opportunity to meet with Lynn Knox, who has implemented such a program at the Oregon Food Bank. She generously shared materials that should be very helpful to ONT, should we decide to implement a Healthcare partnership model here in our service region.  As we look for creative ways to reach people in our service area, these tools and relationships will provide a strong foundation for effective programs. 
So, all in all, this trip to Washington far exceeded any expectations that I could have hoped for at the outset. I felt assured by our Senators’ and Representative’s commitment to helping our most vulnerable citizens. And I look forward to putting to use the resources I picked up from colleagues across the country.

Do you work for a local doctor’s office? Are interested in helping us implement a Healthcare partnership model in our area? If so, please contact Lori Townsend.

Check out this brief video from Feeding America on the relationship between health and food insecurity.

An interview with Betty...

• How did you become involved at ONT?
  • Through my church that sponsored meals.
• What caused you to decide to volunteer at ONT?
  • I grew up during the depression in a family of 9 children and we didn’t always know where our next meal was coming from. It is so rewarding to be able to help families in need.
• How long have you been volunteering?
  • I have been involved and have volunteered for over 15 years.
• What areas and in what capacity do you volunteer for ONT?
  • I serve desserts (including ice cream and puddings) at the Wednesday Meal. My coworker and I arrive early, cut up and prepare all the desserts so they are ready when our guests arrive.
• Why do you volunteer? What keeps you coming back?
  • I enjoy working with other volunteers helping families receive much needed food provided by ONT. I am so happy I can give back to the many people to they don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.
• What changes have you seen since you began volunteering at ONT?
  • The greatest change is in the increase in the number of people that we see each week. Also, the much needed support and donations we receive from very generous people.
• Please share a memorable moment:
  • After 15 years volunteering, I don’t have just one memorable moment, but many. My favorite are seeing the eyes of children (adults too) lite up when they come up to the dessert table and we tell them they can have their choice of any desserts on the table. I do remember one day when a grandmother reminded her grandson how lucky they were to be served a wonderful meal. Also, just recently a man who was no longer able to come to Wednesday Meals asked his friend to thank the ladies at the dessert table for donuts we served for him for his breakfast the next day. That meant so much to him. I am happy to know we made his last days happy, as he recently passed away.