Training Manual |
Chat Archives | First Impression of a Campus Kitchen
Submitted by
Jessica Jackson, CKP
on 09/26/2002 Introduction to CKP
From Jessica@CKP: Online are Josah, our Community Advisor for
the St. Louis Univ. Campus Kitchen (SLUCK), Matt Achhammer and
LaFleur Stephens, our CKP Congressional Hunger Fellows, Kim
Prendergast from A2H, Lynetta from Duluth, MN, and Karen Borchert
from CKP.
From Josah: From being the Com. Ad. at SLU I too have learned
a good number of things since the changing of hands with our food
provider
From Jessica@CKP: For my part, I have an interesting
perspective because I was originally hired to start a CK at
Northwestern University.
From Matt: Have done cooking and delivery shifts, as well as
volunteer recruiting.
From Lynetta: I really want to learn more about the Campus
Program and how it works.
From Matt: And I am getting started on a scaled down version
of a job training program, a 4 week workshop.
From Jessica@CKP: Josah, why don't you give a brief overview
of the parts of the program?
From kim_prendergast: I'd like to hear how things are going,
how they're working with the Food Banks, and see what we can do from
the CK National perspective to help out
From Lynetta: I'm with a CK within a non-profit structure
From Matt: Lynetta, is that Community Kitchen?
From Josah: Well the purpose of the Campus Kitchen is to
utilize campus resources
From Lynetta: Yes
From Jessica@CKP: For everyone, to clear up, we'll use CKP to
denote Campus Kitchens Project, and CK to denote any community
kitchen. The CKP at St. Louis will be called SLUCK (I know, it's
awful)
From Josah: These resources are unused food from the
cafeterias around campus as well as catering, student and faculty
volunteers, plus campus space in one of the dining hall kitchens
From LaFleur: At SLUCK, we deliver about 500 meals/week
From kim_prendergast: And who are the recipients of the
meals?
From Josah: these meals are delivered to clients who are
receiving services from other organizations as well
From Josah: we have a strong clientel of senior citizens
(about 5o percent) plus we have individual door to door deliveries
to families in the surrounding st. louis area
From LaFleur: We also save about 1200 lbs. of food, that
would normally go to waste (per month)
From kim_prendergast: Do you have special nutritional needs
that you have to meet?
From LaFleur: each meal includes, a starch, a protein, a veg/fruit,
and usually a dessert.
From Karen: Kim, to answer your question re: nutritional
needs, we have just started a specialized meal program with the
department of nutrition and dietetics.
From Josah: Our initial contact is with the social worker/st.
louis area office on aging etc. etc. and then deliver meals to their
clients
From Lynetta: Here in Duluth the Commission on Aging has a
Meals on Wheels program. Does your program augment or replace such a
program?
From LaFleur: since such a large % of our clientele is
elderly there are a lot of people who suffer from diabetes,
hypertension or have trouble chewing and swallowing. Therefore, we
are working with the Nutrion and Dietetics staff at SLU, to develop
a "Special Needs Food Pantry"
From Jessica@CKP: Lynetta, what do you all do in Duluth about
special needs clients?
From Karen: Lynetta, our program augments meals on wheels --
we get lots of clients who don't quite meet the income requirements
or have an extenuating circumstance such as nutritional needs
From Lynetta: I believe the program here will cater to
special dietary needs, but I really don't know much about it.
Submitted by
Jessica Jackson, CKP
on 09/26/2002 Talking About Nutrition
From LaFleur: we also plan to do some community education, by
distributing refrigerator magnets or pamphlets that provide easy to
read and understand facts about the nutrition i.e. tips to cut down
on salt
From Jessica@CKP: LaFleur, that sounds great! I didn't know
that! (Maybe I shouldn't admit that)
From kim_prendergast: We're working on expanding the alliance
that America's Second Harvest has with the Am. Dietetic Assoc. to
help Community Kitchens access RD's in their communities. Would that
partnership be useful?
From Karen: Jessica -- that's brand new -- as of yesterday :)
From Jessica@CKP: Kim, that would be great!
From Karen: Kim, that would be AWESOME
From kim_prendergast: I know a number of the programs are
already working with their local extension agencies,
From Jessica@CKP: Finding Dieticians to partner with is a big
goal
From Matt: Kim, Registered dieticians? RDs?
From kim_prendergast: but a more formal way to get in the
door might be helpful.
From kim_prendergast: Yes, Matt, sorry I didn't follow
Jessica's rule!
From Lynetta: That would be helpful! When I was Kids Cafe
manager, a dietician saw an article in the paper about us and
volunteered to help. She got others in the local association
involved too. It's a great partnership!
From LaFleur: Kim, I totally agree. Right now, we are relying
on dieticians that have agreed to volunteer
From kim_prendergast: I'm actually a dietitian, so this is an
issue that I'd like to work on.
From Karen: wow, Kim -- that's cool, I didn't know that!
From Jessica@CKP: I really think professionals would relish
the idea of using their skills as a way of volunteering.
From Matt: It also helps, in the CKP aspect, that we have
some students who are studying dietetics, a very useful resource.
From Jessica@CKP: I would love it if we could get the same
kind of national hook-up with computer and tech. professionals.
From Karen: Plus, that's something we really want to
encourage in the CKP, so that students see that you can volunteer in
"the real world" just by doing what you do.
From kim_prendergast: That's probably a great piece of the
"package" that you can take to potential new CKP sites.
From Jessica@CKP: Karen, it's a good point, because a lot of
students see volunteering as something that is relegated to school
only
From Jessica@CKP: That's a big CKP goal across the board:
creating a new generation of service-minded adults
From Jessica@CKP: ...Who can go on to volunteer in your CK,
Lynetta!
From Karen: We are always looking for new ways to get
students involved THROUGH their majors -- like the nutrition
classes. We'd like to see how other "professions" can help out the
local program.
From Lynetta: exactly :)
From Lynetta: Not really - I just started as the
Opportunities Cooking Training Program Manager about 8 weeks ago, so
I'm still learning and getting my feet wet
From Jessica@CKP: Well, we're only a year old ourselves, so
we can grow together.
From Matt: Some of us are only 2 weeks old!
From Lynetta: Since attending the Nat'l conf in DC as a Kids
Cafe manager, I realize how much I have to learn!
Submitted by
Jessica Jackson, CKP
on 09/26/2002 Reflection for Volunteers
From LaFleur: I think we should also have some sensitivity
training for the volunteers.
From Jessica@CKP: We don't want to play the role of social
workers, because we're not. But we do want to really invest in our
clients. I think there's a way to balance that.
From LaFleur: but I think some of our volunteers are not
aware of why these people are hungry, the deeper causes of poverty
and hunger.
From Jessica@CKP: I am going to be the Voice of National CKP
and ask for general solutions that can be implemented in one form or
another at various CKPs.
From Karen: Interesting. What can we do with Hunger 101 to
talk more about our clients to our volunteers?
From Matt: yes, LaFleur, and the service -learning side can
help with that, especially in bringing in reflection somehow
From Jessica@CKP: Are there small ways we can bring a little
information to each volunteer shift? Just a tiny bit at a time, so
it's not time-consuming and not preachy
From Karen: Yeah, But I think reflection during our volunteer
shifts -- either at the beginning or at the end, is really key.
REALLY. We used to do a decent amount of it before the delivery
shifts last year.
From Matt: or, on a broad level, our volunteers leave feeling
very good about themselves, but that is where it stops....
From Jessica@CKP: For example, on one shift as winter gets
near, spend 5 minutes talking about the "Heat or Eat" dilemma
From Matt: exaclty, the reflection side, using a typical
What? So What? Now what?...I don't think the volunteers get past the
"What?" stage
From Jessica@CKP: LaFleur, Matt, do you have any ideas for
resources? What I mean is, where can we get teachable information to
share with volunteers on the shifts?
From Matt: personally, I knnow of a great reflection manual,
which has helped our org at Gburg alot
From Jessica@CKP: I think plain old reflection can be good,
but sometimes directing it to a certain topic can bring up a lot of
new ideas, questions, etc. and can introduce a brand-new view on
hunger and poverty to volunteers.
From Jessica@CKP: "Reflecting" would probably work well at
SLU, because it does have such strong religious ties, but in
general, I wonder if "reflection" is too touchy-feely a term for
some people.
From Karen: Well, for any volunteers that show up that day.
We could do just a short reading or even just have a discussion
about a current topic in the papers, event, or soemthing. I think we
have a LOT of volunteers that still see handing out soup on the
corner as a viable solution to hunger.... even ONE discussion ONE
time may help.
Submitted by
Jessica Jackson, CKP
on 09/26/2002 More On Reflection
From Matt: "Reflection" can be done without using the word
and that feeling
From Matt: give me one sec I'll get the manual
From Jessica@CKP: I like the sound of that too. A big, fat
resource full of different facts, articles on hunger, perspectives
from actual people (both on the client side and the non-profit
side). Then you can direct the reflection (or whatever you call it)
OR have a resource to answer questions.
From Karen: Well, in terms of touchy-feely, we had a lot of
reflection last year and we mostly got lots of questions like "if
they're so poor, why do they have satellite tv?" GREAT questions and
not too feely.
From Jessica@CKP: Anyway. If we can get enough resources
together, maybe instead of having to be the "authority” on a
question like that and having to say "THIS is why they have
satellite tv"--that doesn't really help the volunteer learn--you can
find a relevant article or resource in this manual, and offer it to
the volunteer so s/he can educate him/herself on the topic more and
come up with something of his/her own
From Matt: http://www.uvm.edu/~dewey/reflection_manual/
From Jessica@CKP: I think we're all on the same page, here,
yes? Let's move forward with this!
From Karen: So can you incorporate finding these resources,
articles, and so on and so forth as part of the development of
Hunger 101? If we had it all in one place, we could REALLY come up
with a great resource guide specific to this program.
From Matt: definitely!!!!
From LaFleur: yep
From Jessica@CKP: But for the time being, let's compile like
crazy. Maybe we can split up things to look for, like one person
tackles homelessness issues, one childhood nutrition issues, one
spousal abuse, etc.
From Karen: Let's also bring this to the Leadership Team --
they might want to research some stuff.
From Jessica@CKP: Ah, yes. Much better that they do it. Then
they will learn as they go.
From Matt: they can even help in the refleciton side of
things, cause then its not so much of a divide
From Karen: Wait, or are there any other classes/departments
that want to help us? Sociology? Psychology? and so on?????
From Karen: OR, Matt and LaFleur could talk to different
professors about letting them have ONE class period to do Hunger
101, then at the end of that, they could ask for people who would be
interested in compiling data for us, and finding resources.
From Matt: a possibility with upper level classes, people who
are familar with the issues
From Jessica@CKP: the 101 idea is GOOD
Submitted by
Jessica Jackson, CKP
on 09/26/2002 Fundraising Brainstorm
From Jessica@CKP: I'd like to do some brainstorming about
potential funding sources.
From Jessica@CKP: Some things to keep in mind: who wants the
attention of college students?
From Jessica@CKP: What type of funder doesn't run contrary to
our mission (i.e. Coke and candy companies don't fit in perfectly
with nutrition)?
From LaFleur: good point.
From Jessica@CKP: What type of in-kind donations would help
us across the board?
From Karen: we are allowed to a) get corporate national
funders b) get funding from private national funders and c)encourage
the UNIVERSITY to raise money that they give to us -- that's
allowed.
From LaFleur: can we go the route of Coke, Sprint-PCS, and
that sort of thing?
From Matt: ture about Coke and Candy, but Phillip Morris
doesn't fit in with helping people and they're hands are in nearly
every large non-profit
From Jessica@CKP: like DCCK
From Karen: Coke is a problem. Sprint PCS - that could be a
PHENOMENAL in-kind donation for our community advisors
From Jessica@CKP: It CAN be a St. Louis-based giver, but only
if it gives on a national level
From Matt: Verizon? Cell companies, going along with sprint
From Jessica@CKP: So money is money, and if we end up taking
it from Coke, fine. But if we can get someone else, that would be
great.
From LaFleur: credit card companies too.
From Jessica@CKP: Anything with a nutrition or education
slant that you can think of?
From LaFleur: Dell?
From Jessica@CKP: I was thinking of Dell.
From Matt: Credit yes, but they are others that I guess we
should watch for where the money goes
From Jessica@CKP: Dell is totally going to college kids with
that Steven ad campaign
From Jessica@CKP: He's like, "Dude, these guys are feeding
TONS of dudes all over the country!"
From Matt: local national chains...Target? they are geared
toward college kids
From Jessica@CKP: Ahhh, you are the greatest! Target is on
our list!
From Matt: and speaking from my stomach, and fitting in with
hunger, and now having more stores than McD's...SUBWAY!
From Jessica@CKP: ohhh, nice, because they are healthier.
From Karen: You know though, Dell is moving up there for me.
Target brags like crazy about their partners/initiatives/etc....
they may not want us as much.
From Jessica@CKP: what about some of these "fast-casual"
chains? Panera Bread, etc.?
From Matt: Panera makes a load of money
From Karen: and, they are national but are based in st. louis
(st. louis bread co)
From Jessica@CKP: OK, these are ALL good. Also, Dell is
giving away a BMW-a-day, so after I win that, we will have an In
with them
From Matt: hey, us fellows need a car more than you
From Karen: and ALL of their stores already give their
leftover bread to shelters, etc. so it might be a good match
From Jessica@CKP: I'll give you my Nissan Sentra when i win
From Jessica@CKP: OK, as far as I am concerned, you have made
a valiant chat effort today.
Submitted by
Jessica Jackson, CKP
on 09/27/2002 Feedback From the Hunger Fellows and Talking About
Service Learning
From Jessica@CKP: OK, CKP guys, question #1: what are some
things (in general) about the program that have surprised you?
From Matt: The enthusiasm and energy compared to many
non-profits
From LaFleur: Karen's age.
From Matt: that too!
From LaFleur: oh, I also thought that there would be a larger
staff.
From Matt: which I think feeds into the enthusiasm, along
with the student power
From LaFleur: yeah, definitely.
From Josah: if you think about it, we have a huge staff -
just all powered by volunteers/students
From LaFleur: it's really cool, that it's truly student
powered
From Matt: As for the training program, I guess I was
thinking more along the lines of DCCK's program, not considering the
time restraints and such of a college campus
From Jessica@CKP: question 2:* we need your honesty now. What
could have been done better/explained more clearly/etc. for you at
the outset (or so far)?
From Jessica@CKP: LaF, what do you think we can do on that
front?
From Matt: agreed with LaFleur about the empowerment
From LaFleur: I want to give them the tools to feed
themselves.
From LaFleur: well, we're still a new org
From Matt: It's a part of the whole battle, using the front
analogy, the food being a temporary solution, but the need to look
for and help people find long term solutions
From LaFleur: but, like Matt was saying, eventually a job
training prog that's on the same scale as DCCK
From Jessica@CKP: I really like this nutrition info
dissemination thing. I'm going to think on that some more
From LaFleur: in the short term, I think a resource guide
would help
From Jessica@CKP: A big challenge will be working job
training into the school year calendar. if we can do that while we
have you Fellas, that will be a huge accomplishment
From Karen: yeah I think the nutrition dissemination thing is
KEY esp for the clients that are kind of done trying to "pull
themselves up by their bootstraps." you know?
From LaFleur: like, who knows how many of our clients are
eligible for food stamps but just aren't aware that they are
eligible.
From Josah: resource guide for special dietary needs or what
else?
From Jessica@CKP: What kind of resource guide?
From Matt: definitely, and I don't think LaFleur and i are
even saying we have those answers, but more that that side needs to
be explored
From Jessica@CKP: Right, Matt. You don't have to have the
answers right now, just the questions.
From Karen: Hmmmmm, good question.
From Matt: yes, food stamps and other programs
From LaFleur: a resource guide for services in the community.
From LaFleur: food stamps, mental health, etc.
From Josah: not a bad suggestion
From Matt: and along with that, possibly a survey or
interview process to determine how much the clients know
From Jessica@CKP: Got it. I would really like to see a
"Client Empowerment Task Force" made up of volunteers whose role it
is to tackle that.
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