On Monday, President Obama released his fiscal year 2013 budget, and with it demonstrated a commitment to protecting and strengthening the nation’s nutrition safety net for the millions of Americans who continue to struggle with hunger, low wages, and lost jobs. According to The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, his budget proposals provide important support for Western Mass. residents who are at risk of hunger.

The budget addresses nutrition issues across a multitude of different programs from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), to WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children).  The proposed budget includes, among other things, a restoration of the cuts to SNAP benefits that were made in the 2010 child nutrition bill and to scheduled to occur in FY 2013, as well as a suspension of time limits on SNAP benefits for certain unemployed, working age, low income adults without dependents. At the end of FY11, more than 450,000 Mass. residents were enrolled in SNAP, 154,930 of whom live in Western Mass.

“As our community and the nation at large recover from the Great Recession, there are still millions of people who are struggling with hunger.  In Western Massachusetts alone, almost one in four households with children say they are unable to afford enough food to satisfy their needs,” said Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.  “The proposals put forth in the President’s budget are a good step in protecting and maintaining our country’s vital safety net at a time when many need it most.”

The budget, in addition to the proposals regarding SNAP, also includes:

• Funding to support an estimated Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) caseload of over 9.1 million individuals.  Massachusetts enrollment in the program during 2011 included 119,104 individuals.
• Funding to cover an increase in the WIC fruit and vegetable vouchers for children from the current $8 to the IOM-recommended amount of $10
• Support for continued implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act
• Permanent expansions of the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit that were passed in the 2009 Recovery Act
• $3 billion in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), an increase of $450 million over last year to reflect the rising costs of heating oil.  Last year, Massachusetts received $77.6 million in federal funding for the program.
• $2 million in funding for the Emerson/Leland Hunger Fellowships

With less than 9 months left until the 2012 elections, this budget helps set the framework for a serious dialogue about hunger in America and the role that federal benefit programs play in addressing it.

Last month, Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs published a study titled “At Risk: America’s Poor During and After the Great Recession” and its findings are more than a little alarming.

The study takes an extensive look at the recession that took place during 2007-2008 (from which many have yet to recover) and paints an image of the effects it has had on poverty in the United States.  The “Great Recession,” as it has been aptly named, is the worst recession since the Great Depression, and has left behind the greatest number of long-term unemployed since records have been kept in 1948.  Currently, there are more than 4 million Americans who say that they have been without work for more than 12 months.  These individuals in particular are at risk of joining the ranks of what has been referred to as the “new poor”—as opposed to the perennially poor and near poor— as their unemployment insurance eventually runs out and many are still unable to find jobs.

Despite the economic recovery that has actually occurred, and the slightly encouraging dip in unemployment toward the end of 2011, poverty in America is distressingly widespread.  According to the official measures, in 2010 there were 46.2 million Americans living in poverty  (15.1% of the population).  As it stands, the current official poverty rate is the highest that it has been since 1993.  This number has been steadily increasing, and it is a trend that is expected to continue.  The overall proportion of individuals living in poverty increased by 27% between 2006 and 2010, while the total U.S. population during this time frame has increased by less than 3.3%.  Poverty is a pervasive problem in America.

In times like these, Americans often look to the social safety net and their communities for help and support.  As the number of people finding themselves in poverty and struggling to make ends meet continues to grow, the need for food assistance grows along with it.  The devastating combination of unemployment, stagnant wages, and the rising cost of food is leaving many to wonder where their next meal is going to come from.  The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and its member agencies have been here to combat hunger and food insecurity, doing our best to satisfy the demand for emergency food in the region.  However, food banks and the emergency food network were not initially designed to handle what we now face— the need for prolonged emergency food assistance at continually high levels.

People are forced to turn to their local food pantries and meal sites, making the acquisition of food from these sources a part of their normal pattern for meeting food needs.  Across the country, the number of people relying on food banks for the first time is up by 30 percent, and all of these individuals—new and old—are leaning on this assistance for longer periods of time.  Here at The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, our  member agencies on the front line confirm these national statistics. Many agencies have been forced to close their doors, shorten their hours, or give out less food to adjust to the increase in demand (which, along with rising food costs, has created a “perfect storm” of challenges). The Food Bank recognizes this sustained need, and through our Network Capacity Building department, we work to strengthen the emergency food network in the region.  By working one-on-one with member agencies, we determine their needs and seek out opportunities for collaboration between agencies.  Through this initiative, we seek to reinforce the capacity and abilities of our existing emergency food network, with the hope of helping our neighbors in need and allowing them to achieve even greater food self-sufficiency in these trying times.

Using specialized accounting skills, the Accounting & Administration Associate is responsible for accounts payable, purchase orders, reception, front desk duties and administrative support within the Finance and Administration Division.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Adhere to The Food Bank and Feeding America’s fiscal guidelines, particularly related to The Food Bank’s Procurement Policy, grant revenue restrictions, and generally established accounting principles

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

• Process accounts payable vouchers, following established procedures, including routing for approval, matching purchase orders, assigning general ledger expense codes, and allocating by department as necessary
• Enter approved payables vouchers into accounting software program, reviewing own work for accuracy, and printing voucher journals for approval; revise as needed after review and post
• Generate  checks, route for signature, and process for mailing
• Process corporate credit card receipts & monthly statements and occasional other rotating credit statements for payment
• Generate purchase orders and maintain PO system in compliance with procurement policy
• Process Food Bank applications for vendor charge-credit accounts as needed
• Conduct analysis and research as needed to resolve vendor problems
• Maintain vendor files on computer software
• Perform specific monthly documentation for capital and other special payments
• Maintain accurate and complete accounts payable and paid bills files
• Complete other periodic vendor and accounts payable tasks
• Process and mail annual 1099 forms

GENERAL ACCOUNTING & ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANCE:

• Support Administration & Volunteer Coordinator:  reception duties, postage processing, mail distribution, post office & bank deposit runs
• Reconcile petty cash on a monthly basis
• Assist with preparation of audit folders, boxes, and year-end file transition to storage in compliance with Food Bank Document Retention policy
• Perform filing, copying, faxing and other clerical duties for Finance Dept & Human Resources
• Administrative and project support for Human Resources
• Ad hoc project work and support as requested by division managers and Director of Finance and Administration
• Other duties as assigned by division managers and Director of Finance and Administration

JOB SPECIFICATIONS/ REQUIREMENTS:

1. Tested proficiency with basic arithmetic
2. Tested ability to create and operate basic Excel spreadsheets
3. Ability to create documents in MS Word and to use Outlook email and calendar
4. Proven abilities in organization, priority-setting, and detail-orientation
5. Record of working independently, cooperating, and communicating effectively
6. Ability to pass a criminal and credit background check

JOB PREFERENCES:

• Accounts payable or general bookkeeping experience, grant experience a plus
• Computer fluency in at least one corporate accounting program
• Experience with filing and operation of office equipment, including a multi-line phone
• Non-profit or Human Services experience
• Adding machine proficiency

REPORT TO: Director of Finance and Administration

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is an equal opportunity employer encouraging excellence through diversity.  Please email resume and cover letter to:  jobs@foodbankwma.org or mail to P.O. Box 160, Hatfield, MA 01038 by for immediate consideration.  Search will continue until position filled.

The Food Bank is a fragrance-free workplace. We ask that all candidates invited to interviews refrain from wearing strong fragrances or perfumes.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, marital or familial status. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call 202/720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

JOB COMPONENTS

1. Follow the standards of performance established by Distribution Manager for receiving and handling of delivery orders, picking, and shipping product
2. Work directly with the Food Distribution Coordinator regarding schedule and routes for product pick-ups and deliveries
3. Pick, prepare, and load product for distribution
4. Maintain all delivery records, health and safety standards for vehicles
5. Deliver products to agencies in coordination with agency personnel and as directed by Distribution Manager
6. Provide general assistance in the warehouse
7. Emphasize quality customer service in all interactions with agency personnel.
8. All other duties as assigned by supervisor

JOB SPECIFICATIONS/ REQUIREMENTS

• Class B (CDL) license, good driving record
• Medium-heavy physical demands:  standing and walking, pushing/pulling, sweeping, twisting, handling, and ability to lift up to 50 pounds, (medical exam required)
• 1 yr. minimum experience in forklift operation and other materials-handling equipment
• Ability to pass pre-employment drug test
• Knowledge of western Massachusetts geography
• Strong customer service and interpersonal communication skills
• Good attendance
• Expected to drive in a variety of weather conditions

JOB PREFERENCES

• Bi-cultural, bilingual in Spanish

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is an equal opportunity employer encouraging excellence through diversity.  Please email resume and cover letter to:  jobs@foodbankwma.org or mail to P.O. Box 160, Hatfield, MA 01038 by for immediate consideration.  Search will continue until position filled.

The Food Bank is a fragrance-free workplace. We ask that all candidates invited to interviews refrain from wearing strong fragrances or perfumes.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, marital or familial status. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call 202/720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Lately, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, has been in the spotlight as some Republican presidential hopefuls try to blame entitlement programs and those who receive their benefits for America’s deficit problem.  Specifically, Newt Gingrich has made some comments about the program in an attempt to attack President Obama, calling him the “best food stamp president in American history,” while Rick Santorum chose to make it an issue of race when he stated “I don’t want to make black people’s lives better by giving them somebody else’s money, I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money.” (nytimes).  These comments bring long-held stigma about food stamps and food stamp recipients to the forefront of the nation’s awareness, but do not reflect the facts about SNAP.

While it is true that the number of food stamp recipients has risen over the past few years, this can be primarily attributed to the financial collapse and recession that began in 2007.  As millions of Americans find themselves out of work and unable to make ends meet, programs like SNAP exist to help soften the blow, keeping people from having to choose between paying for necessities like rent, heat, or medical bills, and buying food.  In our current economic climate, the benefits provided by SNAP are invaluable as an anti-poverty measure.  With a current U.S. unemployment rate at 8.5% as of December 2011 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), SNAP/food stamps can make a world of difference, preventing individuals from encountering further hardships and falling deeper into food insecurity.

As it stands, the program is designed to fluctuate along with economic conditions and the needs of the public: as unemployment grows, so does the SNAP program.  In fact, the Census Bureau estimates that food stamps helped to keep 3.9 million people above the poverty line in 2010. But the recession isn’t the only factor that contributed to the increase in food-stamp participants; rather, it was a 2002 Bush administration initiative that led to an increased participation among eligible households. In 2002, only 48 percent of those households who qualified for food stamps received them, compared to 78 percent of qualifying households in 2009 (businessweek).

More than just helping individuals in need, the SNAP program has proven to be an effective means of economic stimulus, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that $5 in food assistance produces $9.20 in both local and state economic activity (DesMoines register). In Western Mass., these federal dollars go directly to farmers, small businesses, and local grocers, who in turn pay their employees, further stimulating the economy.   Secondly, the recent comments by both Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum about SNAP and race are untrue and misleading.  During a recent debate, Gingrich said: “I’m prepared – if the N.A.A.C.P. invites me – I’ll go to their convention and talk about why the African-American community should demand paychecks, and not be satisfied with food stamps.” (newyorker).  This remark, along with the similar statement made by Rick Santorum, demonstrates the false notion that African-Americans are the primary recipients of SNAP benefits.  The truth of the matter is that 49% of SNAP recipients are white, while blacks comprise 26% of recipients and Latinos 20% of recipients (nytimes).

Here at The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts we work to increase participation in this important federal nutrition program for everyone who needs it, and ensure that all eligible households have access to the food they need. SNAP is currently underutilized in Massachusetts, and we believe it is one of the most effective ways for households to avoid chronic hunger.  For those interested in applying to SNAP benefits, we provide assistance during the application process. For more information about our SNAP outreach or how to access benefits, visit our SNAP outreach and enrollment page.

This is because we at The Food Bank have honed our food distribution program to run like clockwork. Our warehouse staff and truck drivers efficiently stock our shelves, load our trucks, and get food to more than 350 member agencies across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties as quickly and efficiently as possible. We’ve also worked tirelessly to establish relationships with vendors, grocers, local food distributors, and farmers, and we’re also part of the national Feeding America network, which allows us to benefit from their relationships with large, national brands. Most of these relationships lead to large quantities of donated food, and others allow us to buy the exact kind of healthy foods that are most in demand from our member agencies, like milk, rice, tuna, and peanut butter.

An actual can received via a food drive, complete with $1.00 price tag.

While traditional canned food drives are an important and valuable way for the community to contribute to The Food Bank and our member agencies, the types of food that can be accessed via these drives is limited to non-perishable foods.

The amount of food that The Food Bank could provide with an equivalent cash donation, including eggs, cheese, and milk (foods we can't accept through food drives).

By making the equivalent donation of the cost of a few cans, your dollar will go 13 times further in fighting hunger. And those dollars stay right here in Western Massachusetts to help our neighbors in need.

Donations can be made via our secure donate page, and will be tax deductible for 2011 if it is received by December 31st. We also offer an online tool that’s a perfect substitution for a traditional food drive in an office or classroom setting: our Virtual Food Drives. These work by allowing you and your friends, colleagues, or classmates to “shop” online for the foods we need most. The funds you donate contribute to our food purchasing and distribution.

Please consider The Food Bank when deciding to make your year-end donation this year. If 2011 was any indication, 2012 is shaping up to be a difficult year for us and for those we serve. Help us fight hunger right here in the community.

Last fall, the State House provided level-funding to the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP), the state-funded program that allows us and other food banks across the Commonwealth to purchase nutritious food for distribution to emergency feeding programs, like food pantries and meal sites, in their service areas. But rising food costs as well as updated poverty statistics for Western Mass. have reduced the amount of food The Food Bank of Western Mass. is able to acquire with MEFAP funds.

Foods like rice, canned tuna, ground beef, soup and peanut butter are some of the most popular among Food Bank member agencies, and are among the foods that have seen a steep increase in price this year –in some instances by as much as 30 percent. Across the board, prices for these core food items have increased by an average of 16.7 percent from last year. With MEFAP funding holding steady, this spike in the costs of staple nutritious foods means that less food can be purchased with the same amount of dollars.  In addition to the higher food costs, a reassessment of the Commonwealth’s poverty rates has reduced Western Massachusetts’ share of MEFAP monies by 1.19 percent. This does not mean poverty rates have dropped in the region; the overall poverty level in Western Mass. has remained stable, while other regions have seen increased rates.

“With rising food costs and need in our community not abating, we are looking into the very near future and seeing a different landscape for food banking,” says Andrew Morehouse, executive director of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. “Over half of the food we distributed in our 2011 fiscal year [October 2010-September 2011] was acquired with government dollars, either state or federal. If we don’t act, that may not be possible.”

Funding for food commodities for food banks across the country is also at risk at the federal level. While the next step in the failed federal budget deficit process is still unclear, food and nutrition programs have continually been on the table for cuts. If enacted, cuts to the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) or SNAP/Food Stamps would place a serious burden on local food banks trying to keep up with need for food assistance in our communities.

The “perfect storm” of rising food costs, sustained high levels of reliance on emergency food, and reduced food resources available from the government means that The Food Bank of Western Mass. is ever more reliant on local donations, of both food and funds, to continue to meet its mission of working with the community to reduce hunger and increase food security in Western Mass.

“Last year, 13% of our revenue came from individuals and corporations, most of which are local,” said Morehouse. “As the largest food assistance organization serving local communities from Springfield to Pittsfield, The Food Bank leverages those local dollars to help our neighbors right here in Western Mass.”

“The Food Bank also relies on our community to represent our region’s needs to state and federal legislators,” continued Morehouse. “State and federal support for food and nutrition programs is critical to our food bank’s ability to meet the need for food assistance here at home.”

If you’d like to contribute funds to help fight hunger in Western Mass., you can visit our secure donate page. Remember, every dollar donated can be leveraged by The Food Bank to provide 13 dollars worth of food. If you’re more interested in starting a food drive, you can find out more information about traditional or virtual food drives (which are run through a portal that allows donors to buy food online), can find out more information on the “Take Action” section the website. You can also sign up to receive advocacy alerts for state and federal legislation here.

On November 21, The Food Bank’s  Food for Today workshop was given for the first time at UMass Amherst. This role-play activity is a creative and interactive way to spread knowledge about food insecurity among students.  Eleven students participated in te workshop, which involves a game, or simulation, in which participants are each randomly assigned particular character with an income level and a unique household situation.

Over a two-hour period, participants experience a simulated three-day period. Each day presented different scenarios which influenced how much money they had to spend each day. Some characters had families to feed while others were elders who had to feed themselves while having to deal with medical expenses. The students were able to choose between a grocery store, farmer’s market, or a convenient store to shop at, each with differing prices which determined where they could shop. The characters who qualified for food assistance had the option of visiting a food pantry, or using WIC or SNAP (food stamps).

Once the simulation concluded, our education coordinator, Molly, sat down and conducted an open discussion with the students. Some  whose characters  had large families articulated the difficulty acquiring food and supplies (diapers, formula, etc.) with the small budget they were allotted. Others who played senior citizens said they struggled with health conditions which made their money supply fluctuate and their food budget uncertain.

All-in-all this game was a success at UMass Amherst, and provoked interesting discussions among students. They were able to realize the hardships that many go through each day in order to feed themselves or families. I’m excited about getting the chance to help organize and run future Food for Today workshops so more people will be exposed to the challenges many people in our community face every day.

This year, Monte challenged listeners to walk with him, and those who raised enough could participate in Monte’s March themselves and push a second shopping cart at Monte’s side (this cart was created by Franklin County Technical School).  Dan from Florida, MA raised $1000 and walked with Monte the entire distance.

We’re honored that Monte walked to fight hunger in Western Massachusetts, and even prouder that the community joined together to help us raise $32,000 for The Food Bank, money that will help us put more food on the tables of families in need in our region.  Thank you, Monte, and thank you to all of the generous donors who helped make this year’s march a huge success!

Photos from Monte’s March 2011

Each month The Food Bank visits senior centers and assisted living facilities across the region to distribute bags of nutritious and balanced groceries to more than 6,000 qualified seniors.  On Monday, Mayflower Senior Center held their monthly bag pack, and we were there to drop of all the food and document the day.  Check out the photos of the volunteers and their amazing efforts to pack over 260 bags.