For our most recently concluded fiscal period of July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007, the Foodbank distributed 8,552,931 pounds of food, representing an increase of 376,437 pounds, or 5%, over the previous fiscal period.
Community nonprofit organizations withdrawing food from the Foodbank increased by 25 501(c)3 agencies this fiscal period, growing from 220 to 245. These agencies comprised a total of 544 programs assisting the Virginia Peninsula's needy and hungry.
The number of participants utilizing the Nutrition Education Self Sufficiency Training Program grew by 9% this fiscal year, providing nutrition, food safety and basic living skills training to 28,094 low income, at risk individuals, empowering them to strive towards meeting their own nutritional, financial and self-actualization goals.
The Kid’s Cafe Program has grown to 24 sites with 236,995 meals or nutritious snacks served in FY 2006 – 2007, an increase of 52,241, or 28%, over last year. Kids Cafes provide nutritious afternoon meals or snacks to under-privileged school children in a safe, caring and learning environment.
Through partnerships with nine Title I elementary schools, (defined as schools with a population of greater than 50% of the children receiving free or reduced price federal school meals), our Food For Kids Program provided weekly throughout the school year nutritious bags of food for over 445 children. These distributions consisted of a variety of produce, bread and other kid friendly, yet nutritious food items, and amounted to 130,377 pounds this fiscal year, a 40% increase over last year.
This past year our Prepared and Perishable Foods Program rescued 52,240 pounds of food that would have otherwise been discarded.
Our Community Gardens Program continued promoting nutrition, self-reliance, and urban beautification by our participation in the Plant A Row for the Hungry Program.
A total of 48,557 volunteer hours (including 23,589 hours in the SHARE Program) were contributed from throughout our service area, saving $911,415 in salaries (based on a value of $18.77/hour as determined by the Independent Sector) in support of the Foodbank and its hunger relief programs on the Peninsula in FY 2006 – 2007.
Functional expenses for support services (management and general as well as fund raising) amounted to only 19.66% before the value of donated food distributed is considered. Correspondingly, 80.34% of our expenses were devoted to program services which go directly to our neighbors in need on the Peninsula. When the value of donated food distributed, which amounted to $12,815,618 is taken into account, 97.8% of our expenses are devoted to program services, with less than 2.2% being utilized for the support services of fundraising and management and general.
Total Functional Expenses (excluding the value of donated food distributed and the cost of goods sold for purchased food), were 15.30 cents per pound of donated food distributed, which represents no change from last fiscal year. For less than 20 cents, which is much less than the cost to mail a first class letter, the Foodbank can provide enough donated food for a meal. For every dollar contributed, the Foodbank provides over $11.00 worth of food. This same dollar is also an amount sufficient to supply over five meals.
