AFVN Second Harvest Food Bank Distribution Capacity Coor.

In recognizing the complexity of food insecurity, Second Harvest of the Big Bend (SHBB) has a proven track record working with a variety of partners in its 16 county service area to ensure access to nutritious food for those struggling with hunger, as well as to help make progress toward ending hunger. SHBB leads the community with over 135 partner agencies and this VISTA Project seeks to increase the capacity of Second Harvest of the Big Bend to receive, sort, pack, and distribute food. The VISTA project will work directly and receive input from Food Bank Partner Agencies who are operating food pantries and food distributions as well as clients receiving the services through site visits, meetings, day-to-day interactions at partner agencies, and utilization of survey tools. The VISTA project will improve the SHBB network¿s volunteer capacity through the recruitment of new volunteers and partners, coordinating and building upon current training practices, and developing the capacity of the Programs and Operations Department to deliver the training, while also increasing volunteer opportunities and participation. In addition, the VISTA will work to increase awareness of the SNAP program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), allowing neighbors more free resources to combat hunger in the area.