| November 19, 2008 |
Obama and Biden: Tackling Domestic Hunger
“We’ve got rising food prices here in the United States. My top priority is making sure that people are able to get enough to eat.” —Senator (now President-Elect) Obama [Meet The Press, 5/4/08] When he was a child, Barack Obama’s mother briefly received food stamps to put food on the table when she needed help. As a result, Barack Obama understands firsthand that federal nutrition and food assistance programs play a key role in minimizing the ill-effects of poverty and improving the diets of low-income working families, especially children. Barack Obama will strengthen and expand nutrition assistance programs and commit to ending childhood hunger by 2015. Click here to read the entire position paper. TEFAP Update November 2008
September 30th marked the physical and fiscal year end of the 2008 government TEFAP program. A great event occurred when with approximately 10 days to go in September we were notified that there was a surplus of money available through TEFAP. Click here to read more. HSM/Open Your Heart Emergency and Culturally Appropriate Grants
The final portion of HSM/Open Your Heart Emergency and Culturally Appropriate funds available for 2008 will be distributed in December. Applications that have already been submitted are still on file and you do not need to re-apply. The deadline for submitting applications is December 1st, 2008. Click here to read more. New Legislation Designed to Help Some Food Shelves’ Audits
Representative Carol McFarlane of White Bear Lake, board members of the White Bear Lake food shelf and HSM worked together to pass new legislation that will affect some food shelves. Minnesota Statutes Section 309.53 Subd.3 requires non-profits to conduct more stringent (and costly) financial reporting and auditing if their total revenue exceeds $350,000 per year. Click here to read more. Venison Donation Program Update November 2008
Click here to view a summary of the changes that have been made to this year’s Venison Donation Program in Minnesota. Client Database Resource – Dogwood Micro Design’s “Agency Helper”
There are many reasons why your organization should be tracking clients with a computer database rather than pen and paper. With the assistance of a computerized client database, you might be able to more quickly complete your Second Harvest Food Bank monthly report, supply your local media with trends in your food shelf service and/or help inform your donors about the demographics of the clientele that you are serving. Click here to read more. Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota’s Bridge to Benefits Project Helping Minnesota Families
New data shows Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Minnesota’s web-based “Bridge to Benefits” project has helped link thousands of Minnesota children and their families to vital public assistance programs in the first half of 2008. The initiative, launched in late 2007, helps connect eligible working families across Minnesota to public assistance programs that improve their economic stability. Benefits include energy assistance, health care, child care assistance, food support, school meals and tax credits. CDF Minnesota also has spearheaded similar projects in Montana and South Dakota in recent months. Click here to read more. A Foreclosure Resource For Those You Serve
Do you know someone in your community who is facing a potential foreclosure? Or do you know a home owner who is struggling to keep up with their bills following a layoff, medical emergency or other crisis? Or do you know someone whose payments are increasing, potentially moving beyond reach? Click here to read more. “Managing and Adapting in a Time of Uncertainty” an article by Nonprofits Assistance Fund
Minnesota’s nonprofit organizations are facing uncertain times. The demand for services is increasing at the same time that traditional sources of funding are shrinking and changing. Having been through economic cycles before, nonprofit leaders know that it will take creativity, innovation, and focus to weather this period. Adapting to these challenges also demands leadership and an open mind. Click here to read more. Fieldstone Alliance Fall 2008 Webinar
Fieldstone Alliance Webinars provide convenient, affordable education for busy professionals. Each 75-minute session is hosted by a nonprofit expert and covers hot topics and best practices. This fall, they’re offering a session related to finance. Click here to read more. Minnesota Social Service Association
Minnesota Social Service Association (MSSA) invites your agency to become an agency member—making you part of an association with a long history of serving the human service profession. MSSA was established in 1893 as the Minnesota Conference on Corrections and Charities to share best practices from Minnesota and other states to improve care to clients. Click here to read more. |
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