Project Description
The City of Arcata used their grant funds to partner with the Arcata
Endeavor, a nonprofit agency that operates the Multiple Assistance
Center for homeless families and individuals in Arcata, to
recruit and hire a reuse project coordinator and a driver-distribution
manager who was responsible for working with local grocers, restaurants,
and caterers to reclaim edible food and distribute it to hungry people,
either in the form of free meals served at the site or foods boxes
distributed to needy families. The project included
donations of clothing and household items, and significantly decreased
the amount of food that is wasted and increased the ability of the Endeavor
to provide meals and commodities to homeless and indigent families in a
manner that is cost effective and organized.
The steps required to accomplish their project are as follows:
As indicated on their work statement, there are a total of 16 main
tasks and related subtasks to complete this project. The progress of each
of these tasks is described below.
Specific objectives include:
- Recruit and hire staff to coordinate the project, gather more
donations of edible food and other reusable items and implement an
effective distribution system. Expand and refine the system used to
distribute food donations, serve hot meals or provide food boxes to
homeless or indigent families and/or individuals.
- Contact at least 25 additional local businesses to determine
willingness and ability to donate edible food.
- Develop written memorandums-of-understanding with businesses and
implement the pick-up/distribution system(s).
- Develop ongoing agreements with at least two thrift stores willing to
accept surplus donations from the Endeavor and provide clothing and
household articles to homeless and indigent individuals and families
through a voucher system.
Task 1: Secure Contract with Arcata Endeavor to Carry out Food and
Clothing Reuse Program.
City staff developed a draft contract and met with Arcata Endeavor staff
to discuss and refine the draft contract and adjust the budget since the
funding was lower than requested. The contract
was signed on December 15, 2003. Task 1 is 100 percent complete.
Task 2: Hire Project Coordinator.
The Arcata Endeavor Executive Director hired Lori O'Brion as the Project
Coordinator. Task 2 is 100 percent complete.
Task 3: Hire Driver/Distribution Manager.
The Arcata Endeavor Executive Director hired Joseph Zaro as the
Driver/Distribution Manager. Task 3 is 100 percent complete.
Task 4: Develop Initial Contacts with Participating Food Related
Businesses.
Letters were sent to food services and restaurants in late January 2004.
The Endeavor is continuing to contact additional businesses with respect to
food donations for homebound individuals and seniors. Task 3 is 90 percent
complete.
Task 5: Maintain Accurate Records and Merchant Relationships with
Participating Businesses.
The reporting form tracks pickups and amounts of food, clothing and
household items. Task 5 is 25 percent complete and will be completed as the program
progresses.
Task 6: Develop Contracts with Thrift Stores to Accept Donations of
Clothing and Household Items.
The Executive Director of the Arcata Endeavor has contacted eight thrift stores to determine interest and willingness regarding
accepting household items and clothing in exchange for vouchers. To
date, none of the thrift stores are working on the project but discussions
on how to facilitate this are ongoing. Task 6 is 50 percent complete.
Task 7: Develop Written Procedures for Pickup of Surplus Food Items
and a Schedule that Includes All of the Participating Businesses.
The Executive Director of the Arcata Endeavor, the Project
Coordinator, and the Driver/Distribution Manger developed written procedures
and a schedule for
pick up of surplus food items. A weekly pick up procedure and an on-call
pick up arrangement for a variety of different food establishments has been
established. They also pick up used books from a local used book store. The
pick up procedures will be adjusted as new businesses participate.
Currently, weekly pick up is provided to the following food
establishments:
- Brio Bread
- Mad River Hospital Cafeteria
- Murphy's Market—three locations (Trinidad, Glendale, Sunny Brae)
- Coop
- Ray's Food Shop
- Ramone's—Eureka
- Safeway
- The Tofu Shop
- Wildberries Market Place
On call pick up occurs for:
- Abruzzi (food)
- Desserts On Us (food)
- Emerald City Laundry Company (clothing)
- Humboldt State University Depot
- Plaza Grill (food)
- Royal Cookie Capers (food)
- Sacred Grounds (food)
- Tin Can Mailman (books)
- Tomaso's (food)
Task 7 is 75 percent complete.
Task 8: Develop Written Procedures for the Processing and Distribution
of Surplus Food.
The Executive Director of the Arcata Endeavor, the Project
Coordinator, and the Driver/Distribution Manger have developed a procedure for
distribution of food at the Endeavor. They are now looking at distribution
possibilities for homebound individuals and seniors. Household items that
are donated to the Endeavor are distributed to local thrift stores. Books
are distributed at the Arcata Endeavor and the jail. The processing and
distribution schedule will be adjusted as new businesses participate. Task 8
is 75 percent complete.
Task 9: Supervise Collection and Distribution of Surplus Goods.
The Executive Director of the Arcata Endeavor provides supervision for
the project manager and Driver/Distribution Manager. Task 9 is an ongoing task that will be completed when the project is
completed.
Task 10A: Develop and Implement Schedule for Picking up Items and
Maintain Relationships with Merchants at Collection Sites.
The Executive Director of the Arcata Endeavor and the
Driver/Distribution Manager have developed a weekly pick up schedule and an
on-call pick up arrangement for a variety of different food establishments.
They also pick up used books from a local used book store. Distribution of
food occurs at the Endeavor. Household items that are donated to the
Endeavor are distributed to local thrift stores. Books are distributed at
the Arcata Endeavor and the Jail. The Driver/Distribution Manager checks in
with participating businesses when he provides pick up. He has also tried to
help these businesses to find diversion options for non-reusable items. The
processing and distribution schedule will be adjusted as new businesses
participate. will provide supervision for the project manager and
driver/distribution manager. Task 10A is an ongoing task that will be
completed when the project is completed.
Task 10B: Utilize the Arcata Endeavor Van for Reusables Collections.
Pick up and delivery began in early February 2004. The Endeavor picks up
and delivers goods using the Arcata Endeavor van. Task 10B is an ongoing
task that will be completed for grant purposes when the grant is completed.
Task 10C: Process and Distribute the Food/Clothing Vouchers to People
in Need.
Food distribution to people in need at the Endeavor began in February 2004.
Clothing is distributed to people in need at the Endeavor or given to local
thrift stores. The program has not yet been successful in establishing a
voucher program with any of the local thrift stores. Task 10C is an ongoing
task that will be completed for grant purposes when the grant is completed.
Task 11: Supervise Project and Evaluate the Effectiveness of the
Schedule/Procedures as Implemented.
The schedule and procedures have been in place since February 2004 when the
pick up program began. The
Executive Director, the participating merchants, the Project Manager and
the Driver/Distribution Manager are making adjustments as needed to improve
the pick up and distribution of food. Task 11C is an ongoing task that will be completed for grant purposes
when the grant is completed.
Task 12 : Develop and Implement Written Procedures for
Accepting/Processing Donations of Clothing and Household Items.
The Executive Director of the Arcata Endeavor will work with the Project
Manger and Driver/Distribution Manger to develop and implement these
procedures once a participating thrift store can be secured. If needed, adjustments will be made.
Task 13: Evaluate the Project Quarterly — Amount of Food
Collected and Distributed — Volume of Clothing Collected and
Distributed, etc.
Collection and distribution began in February 2004. Forms showing the
collection and distribution are kept. This data will be used to evaluate the
volume collected each quarter and between quarters. Task 13 is an ongoing task that will be completed when the project is
completed.
Task 15: Provide Quarterly Written Reports to the City of Arcata, the
Arcata Endeavor Board of Directors, and the California Integrated Waste
Management Board.
Task 15 is an ongoing task that will be done quarterly and will be completed
for grant purposes when the grant is completed. This is the second of
the quarterly reports. Task 15 is 25 percent complete.
Task 16: City Grant Administration.
Task 16 is an ongoing task that will be completed for grant purposes
when the grant is completed.
*Permission was obtained from grant recipient to publish project profile.
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