ENTF

The Kent County Emergency Needs Task Force is also provided financial and in-kind support by:

Heart of West Michigan United Way

Department of Human Services

Food Subcommittee

Food Security Network Coordinator Employment Information

Purpose

To ensure that all people of Kent County have access to safe, affordable and nutritious food.

Facts

  • Department of Human Services Food Stamp cases were at historically high levels with 31,292 cases ending 2007 compared to only 11,442 cases in 2000.
  • West Michigan Second Harvest Gleaners provided more then 7,200,000 pounds of food in Kent County in 2007.
  • ACCESS reported Kent County’s Food Pantry Network provided 77,619 food services to 17,616 households.

2007-2008 Accomplishments

  • Established federally funded Food Subcommittee staffing support at Kent County MSU Extension with matching support from participating Food Subcommittee agencies.
  • Food pantries extended later hours to help those who are working.
  • More Community gardens were developed supporting food pantries serving chronically ill clients.
  • Accomplished work agenda objectives with new member organizations taking active roles responding to food security issues.
  • Streamlined five strategic plan critical issue areas to three focusing on food transportation; long term food security emphasizing health/nutrition and developing sufficient resources for meeting record cost increases and demand for food.

2008-2009 Agenda

  • Continue implementing the Food Subcommittee’s Strategic Plan to eliminate food insecurity and set new five year goals.
  • Build on last year’s accomplishments with special emphasis in areas of health/nutrition, maximizing/ developing hunger reduction resources and transportation.
  • Increase education and advocacy building community awareness and involvement that responds to the growing tidal wave of truly food insecure Kent County residents.