Successful Efforts To Reduce Hunger
                    

I.     TOPIC          Alachua County Hunger Task Force

II.    LOCATION  Alachua County, Florida

III.   SUBJECT        Successful Efforts To Reduce Hunger

IV.    SUMMARY

     Following recommendations from the Hunger Study of Harvard University on Hunger in
     America, the Central Florida Community Action Agency (CFCAA) established the
     Alachua County Hunger Task Force.
     
     CFCAA brought together a group of human services and governmental officials to create
     a Hunger Task Force. The Hunger Task Force was charged with reviewing progress in the
     county in reducing hunger and eliminating barriers to food assistance. The Task Force
     developed a plan and made recommendations for improvements in the delivery of food
     stamps, emergency food assistance, transportation and agency coordination associated
     with the delivery of food to the poor.
     
     A Hunger Hotline was developed as a statewide resource to persons needing food. An
     organic regional garden/farm was created on 15 acres of land leased from the state of
     Florida, and food production began in the Spring of 1995 working with volunteers and a
     technical support committee organized by CFCAA. Food stamp participation rates are
     now approaching state-wide levels, increasing from 25% to 50% of the eligible
     population. New projects include the opening of a Food Bank and participation in farm
     donations and the SHARE program.
     
V.     SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE

     Created a successful partnership of human services and governmental officials including
     local, regional, and state agencies, United Way, Catholic Charities, County Social
     Services, Red Cross, Community Ministries, Inter-Agency Councils, the Salvation Army,
     and the University of Florida to create a Hunger Task Force that organized existing
     fragmented resources and developed new resources in order to reduce hunger and
     eliminate barriers to food assistance.
     VI.    CONTACT

     Oscar L. Harris, Jr.
     Executive Director
     Central Florida Community Action Agency
     (A Community Action Agency)
     P.O. Box 1503
     220 N. Main Street, Suite C
     Gainsville, Florida 32602
     904-378-5892
     904-378-2168 (FAX)
     
VII.   CASE STUDY

     The Problem: The Hunger Study of Harvard University had made observations
     regarding hunger in Alachua County, Florida in its report on Hunger in America.
     However, there did not exist in the county a coordinating body to review the
     recommendations and plan for their implementation. Resources to fight hunger were
     fragmented and barriers existed in providing food assistance to the poor.
     
     The Approach Adopted: CFCAA brought together a group of human services and
     governmental officials to create a Hunger Task Force, including local, regional, and state
     agencies, United Way, Catholic Charities, County Social Services, Red Cross,
     Community Ministries, Inter-Agency Councils, the Salvation Army, and the University
     of Florida to create a Hunger Task Force
     
     How They Implemented The Approach: The Hunger Task Force was charged
     with reviewing progress in the county in reducing hunger and eliminating barriers to food
     assistance. The Task Force developed a plan and made recommendations for
     improvements in the delivery of food stamps, emergency food assistance, transportation
     and agency coordination associated with the delivery of food to the poor.
     
     Results: A Hunger Hotline was developed as a statewide resource to persons needing
     food. An organic regional garden/farm was created on 15 acres of land leased from the
     state of Florida, and food production began in the Spring of 1995 working with
     volunteers and a technical support committee organized by CFCAA. Food stamp
     participation rates are now approaching state-wide levels, increasing from 25% to 50% of
     the eligible population. New projects include the opening of a Food Bank and
     participation in farm donations and the SHARE program.
     
     A major project was the production of a local Hunger Report. Many groups acted on the
     report's recommendations such as students from the University of Florida, local churches,
     media and civic groups. They sponsored projects and joined the efforts of social services
     groups and homeless shelters. Charitable donations from citizens in the community also
     saw an increase.
     
VIII.  PROGRAM SPIN-OFFS

     Increased the mailing of food stamps, increased charitable donations from the
     community, opened a Food Bank, and began participation n farm donations and the
     SHARE program.
     
IX.    KEY WORDS

     Community Action Agency
     Community Services Block Grant
     Farm
     Food Bank
     Hunger
     Hunger Hotline
     Hunger Task Force
     SHARE
     





ref:   hunger.doc