Hunger Action Teams
Build Back Better was an important effort defining the future course of Montgomery County’s Emergency Food System based on lessons learned and opportunities realized during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project goal was to stimulate ongoing collaborative action across the system that enables people struggling with hunger to feed themselves and their families more securely. This vision was led by the four emergency food organizations - MontCo Anti-Hunger Network, Montgomery County Government, Philabundance, and Share Food Program.
MAHN firmly believes that the future of addressing hunger lies in our ability to work together, across organizations and sectors. Collaboration is not just a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of our strategy. Build Back Better was a foundational building block that showed us that coming together under a common agenda is possible. The next step is to replicate that same foundation across the county, utilizing the methodology from that strategic framework, to frame our next chapter of action. Hunger Action Teams are central to realizing this vision.
Through extensive community conversations and the collective wisdom of our network members during coalition meetings, we have identified five county-wide challenge areas that are ripe for solutions. These challenge areas have been refined by our network members, and they are the foundation upon which we will build a brighter future. They are:
Hunger Action Teams were launched at the 2023 Hunger Action Summit on Thursday, September 21. At the summit, each team began mapping the challenge area, creating a guiding star statement that articulates the future vision, strategies to achieve vision, timeline/milestone, and resources needed. At the end of the summit and through ongoing communication, teams will have a blueprint forward to start to tackle the challenge area. MAHN has monetary and staffing resources, made available through Montgomery County Recovery Office funding, to support future pilot program solutions as identified by the Hunger Action Teams themselves.
MAHN firmly believes that the future of addressing hunger lies in our ability to work together, across organizations and sectors. Collaboration is not just a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of our strategy. Build Back Better was a foundational building block that showed us that coming together under a common agenda is possible. The next step is to replicate that same foundation across the county, utilizing the methodology from that strategic framework, to frame our next chapter of action. Hunger Action Teams are central to realizing this vision.
Through extensive community conversations and the collective wisdom of our network members during coalition meetings, we have identified five county-wide challenge areas that are ripe for solutions. These challenge areas have been refined by our network members, and they are the foundation upon which we will build a brighter future. They are:
- Data & Evaluation - There is not an assessment in place that provides a snapshot on the state of hunger in Montgomery County and showcases trends over time. How can we collect data across the network in a consistent way that lessens the burden on those in need of food assistance and on community food partners? How can we make sure we’re asking the right questions to address the snapshot of hunger in MontCo? How do we measure the effectiveness of what we do?
- Building Public & Political Awareness to End Hunger - Many individuals in Montgomery County do not know that hunger is a persistent issue in their community. Advocacy is an important tool to mobilize resources, drive policy change, ensure community responsibility, and to change attitudes around hunger. How can we let individuals and those in government in MontCo know that there are people facing hunger everyday right in our neighborhoods? How can we ensure the voices of those that face food insecurity are being heard? How do we unify our voices?
- Consistency and Coordination of Nutritious and Culturally Appropriate Foods - Some community food programs across the county do not have sustainable nutritious food resources to meet the current needs in the community. How can we ensure that people are getting the right types of foods consistently? How can we ensure we are meeting everyone’s needs no matter their preferences and cultural backgrounds? How do we increase access to locally produced healthy foods?
- Consistency and Coordination of Funding - It’s challenging to find funding to help sustain community food program operations and oftentimes it's a “competition” amongst the food pantries. How can we achieve the right mix of funding to meet organizational needs and the entire system over the long run? How can we align the goals of funders and providers? How do we diversify funding sources to create a plan of engagement with foundations, businesses, civic/faith-based organizations, and all levels of government?
- Resources to Support Organizational Development - Since the pandemic, it’s been challenging for organizations to invest time and resources into organizational development. How can we provide capacity building around best board practices, human centered resources, volunteer management, etc.to make the organization better for the guests? What training and resources do organizations need access to, in what format, and in what frequency?
Hunger Action Teams were launched at the 2023 Hunger Action Summit on Thursday, September 21. At the summit, each team began mapping the challenge area, creating a guiding star statement that articulates the future vision, strategies to achieve vision, timeline/milestone, and resources needed. At the end of the summit and through ongoing communication, teams will have a blueprint forward to start to tackle the challenge area. MAHN has monetary and staffing resources, made available through Montgomery County Recovery Office funding, to support future pilot program solutions as identified by the Hunger Action Teams themselves.
