Dear Kitchens
INC Colleagues,
It has been
much too long since we
have talked, but there’s no better time to reach out than when you
have good news to share.
On October 18,
2005, the Food, Employment, Empowerment and Development Act
(the F.E.E.D. Act) was officially introduced in the US Senate by
co-sponsors Senator Lautenberg, Senator Dole, Senator Lincoln,
Senator Smith, Senator Durbin, Senator Martinez, Senator Levin,
Senator Corzine, and Senator Leahy.
This is a
monumental bill for existing kitchens, but more so for those that
will follow—in food banks, in schools and through bold new programs
with exciting new partners.
The F.E.E.D. Act’s
introduction is the culmination of many years’ efforts. It began
with a meeting two years ago between me, Dan Katz and Rebecca Mandell, who are two visionary staff members in Senator Lautenberg’s
(D-NJ) office. The original idea was proposed by the Kitchen's Board
Chair, who wanted to explore ways to fund a new home for DCCK, but I
decided that, rather than benefiting our organization, this
opportunity to explore federal funds should be about the collective
growth and mutual support of the growing Kitchens INC community while, at the same time
seeing the future,
building on existing resources, developing a broader network and
generating a shared strategy.
The F.E.E.D. Act,
if funded, will provide 20 million dollars annually for five years.
Given the explosive growth of community and campus kitchens over the last 10
years, when our original partners at Sodexho and Philip Morris
provided as much as $600,000 annually, this fund will allow new
kitchens to multiply rapidly throughout the country, with an
emphasis on rural models and school based efforts as well as those
that are prepared to serve, or partner to serve those who are aging
or ill.
It will take
our collective efforts to insure that the F.E.E.D. Act is funded. This
is a tough climate to look for federal assistance, but if we work
together, and guide our elected leaders towards the effective
outcomes and measurable impact of our efforts, I firmly believe that
we can secure funds for this vision.
But of equal
importance is re-igniting our shared ability (and
responsibility) to regularly exchange ideas and strategies via the
internet. THAT was at the heart of the Kitchens In National
Cooperation vision!!!
So, we’ve
decided to use this auspicious day to also re-introduce the Kitchens
INC website (www.kitchensinc.org).
You’ll notice a new design and great new partners. We’ve also
consolidated most of the old discussion board materials, so that it
is more user friendly. In addition, we’re developing new
registration categories, and a new Leadership Forum, made up of
registered Kitchen INC members who want to help guide the flow of
ideas and the passage of the F.E.E.D. Act. If you are interested, please
reach out to me to volunteer.
So, colleagues,
this is the opportunity we’ve been waiting for. We now have the best
shot we will probably ever have to get a solid new source of funds
that will be dedicated to our shared journey to better serve our
communities. More to the point, we now have even more compelling
reasons to see beyond the artificial borders of our individual
organizations and associations and start to work more closely
together.
Are you going
to jump on board? If so, then I urge you to go the Kitchens INC
website and do the following:
1.) Send a
letter of thanks to the co-sponsors of the F.E.E.D. Act.
2.) Send a letter of support to your elected representatives.
3.) Make sure you and your program are registered, or the most
appropriate member of your staff/team in looped into the Kitchens
INC network.
4.) PARTICIPATE. Many of the entrees to the Kitchens INC Discussion
Boards are older, and could use fresh input. Make it a point to log on
weekly and contribute to helping others….particularly new members.
5.) Join the Leadership Forum, and help lead the effort to fund the
F.E.E.D. Act and expand our impact.
And, until I
see you next, THANKS for your friendship and dedication.
Best wishes to
all.
Robert Egger
DCCK
