Agency Data Collection

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Agency Data Collection
Americas Second Harvest Agency Relations Confere
nce Why Ohio Foodbanks Members Charities Co
llect Data? Lisa Hamler-Podolski, Executive
Director Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food
banks April 21, 2004
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Why Should Foodbanks Collect Data?

• Ability to Track Service Delivery Systems
• Monitoring Economic and Public Benefit Trends
• Sound Business Practices
• Research Opportunities Collaborations
• Helps Tell the Story of Hunger Provides a
  Profile
  
• Educating Staff, Board and Organization Culture
• Communicating to Donors, Funders, Media, Public
  Policy Makers Community At-large
  
• Needs Assessment and Outcomes
• Provides Critical Information about Populations
  Served, Service Delivery Policy Positions
  
• The MOST Important reason!

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What Ohio Has Discovered!

• Data Dollars, over 5.5 million this year
• (27 million in Public funding since beginning
  data collection)
  
• Data Broad Knowledge Expertise
• Data Strong Creditability Trust
• Data Expanded Access Exposure
• Data Mobilization Broad-Based Support
• Data Partnerships Collaborations
• Data A Place at the Table
• Data Strong Media Coverage
• Data New Opportunities
• Data What You Make of It!

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Types of Data collected

• Foodbanks Member Charities
• Basics data Pounds distributed by product
• Meals households served
• Services by type of agency, pantry, soup
  kitchens, Shelter and Supplemental
  
• Total People Served
• Ages of people served
• Children 0 to 17 year of age
• Adults 18-59
• Seniors 60
• Information required for State funding

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Annual No Name, Please! Survey

• A Hunger Profile of Ohioans Receiving Help from
  Emergency Food Providers
  
• Provides a Snap-shot Profile of households we
  serve.
  
• Began in 1998 as a simple 3 question survey to
  help determine the employment status of
  households accessing the emergency food
  assistance network.
• Helped debunk myths.
• Provided more information then requested.
• Unexpected troubling information that
• caused us to want more data.
• Results provided powerful information.
• Results created public resources.
• Commitment of Foodbanks Agencies.

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6th Annual Hunger Profile of Ohioans Receiving
Help from Emergency Food Providers 2003
The Faces of Hunger in Ohio Final Results
A voluntary survey of households requesting
emergency food assistance from a selection of the
largest food pantries in 83 Ohio counties during
a 20 day period during July, August or September
2003.
Throughout this survey are quotes taken directly
from the written responses. These quotes have
been edited for the purpose of this presentation
due to the low level of literacy. The content of
the response, however, has been maintained.
Survey conducted by the Ohio Association of Sec
ond Harvest Foodbanks

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Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks
Regional Foodbanks
Second Harvest Foodbank of North Central Ohio
Toledo North West Ohio Foodbank
Cleveland Foodbank, Inc.
Second Harvest Foodbank of the Mahoning Valley
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
West Ohio Foodbank
Second Harvest Foodbank of Champaign, Clark,
Logan Counties
Mid-Ohio Foodbank
Shared Harvest Foodbank
Emergency Foodbank
Second Harvest Foodbank of Southeast Ohio
This survey is based on information from the No
Name Survey gathered by these 12 regional
Foodbanks.
FreeStore/FoodBank
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Basics

• 2003
• 8,120 household surveys were completed
• 75.0 were females
• 25.0 were males
• Average family size 3
• 1 adult 2 children

1999 5,348 total responses 69.0 were fema
le
31.0 were males
I am a single mom trying to make it on a
part-time job and take care of 2 children.
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Household Demographics
Im going through serious depression and cant
work because I have 4 kids and cant afford a
babysitter.

• 2003
• 23,533 individuals lived in the 8,120 respondent
  households.
  
• Of these
• 43 were children 17 years of age or younger.
• 49 were adults 18 to 59 years of age.
• 8 were adults 60 or more years.

It would help me by being able to provide a
stable life and lifestyle for my children and
myself. If I could just get going on my feet
real good and to be able to maintain it.
My husband is disabled and was forced to retire
early. I have three children from previous
marriages. My brother-in-law and his son have
moved in with us until he gets on his feet.
I have a job at Mount Carmel Hospital as a
casual employee. Full time is not an option
because of child care for my daughter. I am
down-staffed frequently, and when I dont work I
dont get paid.
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Employment StatusRespondent Households

• Of 13,193 adults living in these households
• 39 were not working
• 28 were working in some capacity
• 26 were disabled
• 7 were retired

I am disabled, but if I could work I would.
Also, without graduating from high school hurts
me because I really cant find a good job.
Of the 8,802 able-bodied adults (total adults,
less retired and disabled), living in these
households 58 were not working 22 are worki
ng full-time 13 are working part-time 7 are
working sometimes
I am pregnant and I cant work. My husband got
laid off and cant find a job because his car
doesnt run.
They tell me Im overqualified. Maybe the
welfare office is unable to handle disabled
people, moving them from welfare to work. There
are problems with my Ohio Direction Card. There
is no Direction Card. CDJFS should hire
qualified people to do the job.
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Households Receiving Public Assistance
Im the mother of 8 children work part-time
because I cant afford child care.

• Households reporting they receive benefits or
  have had their benefits reduced or cut-off during
  the past 12 months
  
• Receiving Benefits Reduced Benefits Cut-off or
  Sanctioned

2003 Ohio Works First 16 32 23 Food S
tamps 61 40 10 SSI/SSDI 48 31
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2001 Ohio Works First 10.4 3.6 4.8
Food Stamps 28.7 14.5 5.5

SSI/SSDI 24.6 6.7 1.1
1999 Ohio Works First 15.3 3.9 10.7 Fo
od Stamps 31.8 5.5 14.6
SSI/SSDI not asked 17.8 14.8
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Average Household Income
I need a job that pays enough to live on and will
not lay me off.
The federal poverty level for a family of 3 is
15,260 per year. Based on survey responses, 97
of the households were living below the federal
poverty level.

• Income per month at levels of
• Under 250 21
• 250 to 500 18
• 501 to 750 24
• 751 to 1000 14
• 1001 to 1250 8
• 1251 to 1500 11
• 1501 or more 4
• The average income level for a family of 3 per
  month 713.11
  
• The average income level for a family of 3 per
  year 8,557.32

I wasnt making a lot of money and then I got
laid off. My car broke down and I cant pay
bills. I have an 8 year old son who needs
things. I am not working. But I am trying to
get back into school.
The cost of living needs to go down and I need to
find a better paying job to be able to afford to
live. I cant buy clothes and am getting evicted
due to high bills.
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Frequency of Service
Thank God for pantries. Thats about all I can
say.

• The average number of times respondents found it
  necessary to visit a emergency food provider in
  the previous 12 months
  
• 1 time 21.3 2 times 14.2
• 3 times 11.6 4 times 9.7
• 5 times 6.7 6 times 6.6
• 7 times 2.7 8 times 2.8
• 9 times 2.0 10 times 3.6
• 11 times 1.2 12 times 12.1
• More than 12 times 5.5
• 56.8 of the households surveyed reported
  visiting an emergency food provider
  
• 4 times or less in the previous 12 months.

My life would be better if I could get the full
130 of food stamps instead of 104.
I need groceries because I ran out of food and I
have my two nephews back home. They need to
change the law on food and money.
Things people would do if they did not have the
food pantry Sell Drugs!!! Starve We would most
likely have done without any food. Go hunting.
I wouldnt have anything to eat. I would have to
beg for help. Pawn items. Borrow food or money
from relatives.
I JUST DONT KNOW.
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Education Level of Survey Respondents
I have no education, 2 kids, and fathers who do
not help.
Of those respondents who indicated they had some
level of education
I cant read all that very well or write all that
well. I am a slow learner because my reading
level is age 1 to 2 year-old. I was born with
these problems because they shot me in my brain.
My writing is so very bad.

• 41 graduated from High School
• 37 did not complete High School
• 13 reported attending or graduating from college
  or trade school
  
• 9 had received a GED

Im disabled, but if I could work I would. Also,
without graduating from high school hurts me
because I really cant find a good job.
Im a single mother of 4 boys and one on the way.
Ive struggled for a while with my 7 an hour
job to raise my children for 2 years. Now Im
out to better my education to make a better life
for my children and me.
Im 19 and quit school in the 10th grade. I need
more education to get a better job and reliable
transportation.
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What do you and your family need in order to NOT
have to come to the food pantry?
I am going to college, have 4 kids, and CDJFS
will not help out.
Multiple responses were permitted. Other
responses included items such as to have my
record expunged, to have family in the area,
depend on the kindness of others, etc.
Households responding 80.7 (6,555)
Total Responses 15,539

• Food Stamp Assistance 36.8
• Full-time Job 35.0
• Better Job 30.1
• Utility Assistance 22.6
• Affordable Housing 20.2
• Reliable Transportation 19.1
• Medical Insurance 17.3
• Additional Income 15.0
• Education/Job Training 11.6
• Child Support 9.8
• Budgeting Assistance 7.2
• Affordable Child Care 6.3
• Accessible County Services 6.2

Welfare cut off my child care Title 20 with only
2 days notice. I am now paying 200 an week in
child care, which is more than my rent. I am
divorced and receiving no child support. We
cant find their dad.
All I need is a SAFE PLACE to rest my head so I
can save up enough money to get an apartment.
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What happened in your life that caused you to
come to the food pantry?
I moved here from a bigger city to help care for
a sick family member. This area has no jobs and
the cost of living exceeds wages.
Multiple responses were permitted. Other
responses included items such as incarceration,
recently moved to the area, laid off, abusive
husband, etc. Households Responding 87.3 (7,
087) Total Responses 17,296

• Ran out of food 49.7
• Ran out of money 42.2
• Became sick or disabled 30.5
• Ran out of Food Stamps 25.4
• Lost job or were laid-off 21.9
• More people living in HH to feed 9.1
• Benefits cut-off or sanctioned 9.1
• Divorce or Separation 9.1
• Suffering from mental health issues 8.0
• Spent most of income on medicine 7.7
• High Medicaid spend down (368.76 mo.) 6.0
• Moved looking for employment 5.7
• No transportation to the grocery store 4.5
• Grandparent/relative caring for OP
  children 3.9
  
• Caring for a Disabled Child or adult 3.8
• Seasonal worker 3.6
• Other 3.5

I pay a lot of my resources to provide child care
and the transportation necessary to care for my
very emotional and behavioral high-risk
children. Having help with them would benefit a
lot. My life is very busy meeting the needs of
these very high-risk children Im raising and I
feel very good that I am able to be there and
assist them to grow up healthy.
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What would you do if this pantry was not
available to help you and your family?

• Responses tabulated by the categories below.
  88.1 (7,156) of the households responded to this
  survey question representing 17,620 total
  responses. We have listed the top 13 responses.
  It reveals both humility and desperation of those
  who use the emergency food programs.

Dont know 45.9 Rely on family members or friend
s for food 27.0 Stretch the food on hand 25.3
Try to locate another agency who provides
emergency food assistance 24.5
Borrow money or food 23.9 Skip meals 22.4 Go h
ungry 19.3 Eat cheaper food 17.3 Go to the wel
fare office for help 11.3 Buy food instead of me
dicine 9.8 Hunt, fish or garden 9.3 Beg 6.2
Send children to a summer or community based
feeding program 3.9
Im a grandmother who inherited 3 children and am
trying to get assistance. It is slow going but
Ill get there. I must keep my family together.
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What would make your life better? What 's wrong
and/or right with your life?
Less reform, more willingness to help.

• Get Ohio Works First of Portage County more
  organized! This county needs to be investigated
  on their job and organizational skills to help
  people, not themselves, and start going by Ohio
  law. And if I could get that taken care of all I
  need by the grace of God is people like you to
  help in times of need when the state workers
  should be.

Well, what would help to make things better is if
a person who ends up homeless, and doesnt have a
place to go and has a child, would not have to
wait for emergency housing for such a long period
of time. If they could just take us right off it
would be good. But it seems you have to wait for
weeks or months for anything.
To improve my life, if the government would go by
the amount of money that comes into the house
after taxes are paid.
More jobs that do not require a high school
diploma or GED, and easier access to child care.
If Job and Family Services would provide child
care and allow people to keep their checks while
going to classes, things would be better.
Perhaps CDJFS could create a check and child
care program for those enrolled in school.
My husband cant work. If I get a job, Human
Services will charge us 700 a month for
spend-down on our Medicaid. Due to that, we
would still be living month to month.
It takes CDJFS 3 months to schedule an
appointment around school. It was never
scheduled right, so I do not receive food stamps.
I came to this foodbank because I am a single mom
who works fulltime and Welfare wont help me with
food stamps or assistance.
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Responses and findings that warrantadditional
examination

• Respondents who indicated they had children
  expressed concern for their children over concern
  for themselves.
  
• Though many did not indicate that they needed an
  education to improve their quality of life, it
  became apparent while reading their responses
  that respondents would have a difficult time
  obtaining a job paying over minimum wage due to
  their lack of a good primary education.
• There were numerous remarks of poor treatment
  from the County Department of Job Family
  Services.
  
• One of the most heartwarming items, seen often,
  were the thank yous, the praises of, and the I
  dont know what I would have done without this
  pantry.

My significant other left me and our kids. He
decided he did not want to be a dad anymore. He
decided he wanted to live his own life. So, Im
adjusting financially. I have college experience
but am not finished yet. I cant afford it right
now. I got a new house so my kids have a back
yard. 350 instead of 425. Child support
should start next week. Things are starting to
look up. I work two jobs. I would like to have
more time to spend with my kids.
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Factors contributing to Increasing Demandand
Declining Resources to meet the NeedPublic
Policy Implications

• Unemployment
• Declining food stamp benefits levels
• Welfare reform (state federal) time limits
• Elimination of food stamp benefits to certain
  populations
  
• Low wage part-time employment
• High housing, utility, and medical costs
• Elderly persons living on fixed incomes
• Unemployment benefits (workers who are ineligible
  or have exhausted benefits)
  
• Redirection of individual, corporate, and
  foundation funding
  
• Declining state and federal revenues

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Ohio Food Program Ohio Agricultural Surplus
Production Alliance
The Ohio General Assembly in the 2004/2005 State
Budget provided 4.5 million per year to the Ohio
Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks to
support 2 programs

• Ohio Food Program (OFP) was created in the
  1998/1999 Ohio Biennium State Budget to help fill
  the gaps created by the significant federal food
  stamp cuts and to provide additional emergency
  food supplies to
• Families transitioning from welfare to work
• Low-income working families
• Elderly disabled persons
• Homeless persons and victims of domestic
  violence
  
• Persons without sufficient resources needed to
  feed themselves and their families

In State Fiscal Year 2003, theses programs
provided 4.5 million for the purchase,
transportation, storage, and distribution of
nutritious food. Over 12.4 million pounds of
food (9.7 million meals) was purchased
including chicken eggs apple butter apple sauc
e soups stews greens beans Turkey sausage carr
ots chicken noodle soup 36 kinds of fresh fruits
vegetables macaroni cheese peanut butter
canned pears frozen sausage spaghetti noodles
spaghetti sauce tuna rice
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Ohio Association of Second Harvest
FoodbanksPublic Policy Priority Initiatives
2006/2007

• Ohio Food Program (OFP) receives 5 million or
  2.5 million per year in the Ohio Department of
  Job and Family Services core budget.
  
• Recommended Improvements
• Increasing flexibility to the bidding process
  assuring the largest quantity of nutritious foods
  will be purchased at the lowest possible cost.
  
• Introduce language to provide an economic trigger
  allowing OFP funding to increase based on
  evidence of need.
  
• Support additional OFP funding through Temporary
  Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) surplus or
  State Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirements.
  
• Increase public awareness of the new face of the
  working poor due to time-limits occurring from
  welfare reform.
  
• Increase flexibility and assurances that Ohio
  grown and processed or OhioPROUD foods will be
  purchased to help feed low income Ohioans.
  
• Provide administrative funding. The Ohio
  Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks does not
  receive any administrative support to operate
  these programs.

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Ohio Association of Second Harvest
FoodbanksPublic Policy Priority Initiatives
2006/2007

• Ohio Agricultural Surplus Production Alliance
  (OASPA) receives 4 million or 2 million per
  year in the Ohio Department of Job and Family
  Services core budget.
• Expand production alliances between OASHF and
  Ohios agricultural commodity producers/growers/pr
  ocessors to provide fruits and vegetables, and to
  process shelf-stable foods.
• Creates a win-win initiative that serves as a
  market clearing program to purchase surplus
  product and provide an economic boost to the Ohio
  farm economy.
• Provides reimbursement to growers, packers, and
  processors for services needed to purchase and
  distribute foods.
  
• Strengthens the emergency food providers storage,
  distribution, and infrastructure capacity.
  
• Hardware capital improvements (refrigerators,
  freezers, fax machines)
  
• Start-up for innovative programming, training,
  and technical assistance
  
• 28 for capacity building and administration
• 72 for production, processing, transportation

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How to contact the Ohio Association of Second
Harvest Foodbanks

• Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks
• 35 East Gay Street, Suite 502
• Columbus, Ohio 43215
• www.oashf.org
• Lisa_oashf_at_ameritech.net
• 614.221.4336
• 614.221.4338