This coalition was initially formed:
as a grassroots initiative responding to a locally identified need

Mission/Purpose
Provides a forum to address food security issues in Dane County. The mission is to encourage discussion and action to end hunger and achieve food security.

Description
Members interact primarily for the purpose of exchanging information and communication.

Organizations/Groups Represented
Aging Agencies
CAP agencies
Emergency meal sites
Food pantries
Head Start
Human services
Individual community members
Other (please specify)
Public health/WIC staff
Religious organizations
School food service
UW-Extension Bread for the World rep.

Primary Leadership
Provided by another partner - co-leadership - Extension takes lead on planning educational meetings.

Extension's Leadership Role
Active member; provide primary leadership for the Coaltion

Strategies/Projects/Activities of the Coalition
assessing/measuring the extent of hunger/food insecurity (* primary project)
conducting outreach to connect potential participants to federal nutrition assistance programs (school meals, food stamps)
creating and distributing a resource directory (directing low income residents to sources of assistance)
improving community capacity to address hunger/food insecurity (* primary project)
networking a variety of organizations/individuals working in the area of hunger prevention (* primary project)
other (please specify)
promoting/coordinating food collection and distribution other than food drives (through Hunt for the Hungry, Plant a Row for the Hungry, gleaning projects, etc)
promoting/coordinating the Senior or WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
raising awareness of hunger and food insecurity (* primary project)
market basket survey; food pantry recipe book

Funding
This coalition does not have funding for general operations.

Internal Planning
This coalition has participated in planning and organizational (internal) development activities (such as strategic planning, creating a mission statement, training of members).

Evaluation
This group has evaluated its functioning.
This group has evaluated its strategies/projects/activities.

Success Story
HPC has served to increase networking, communications, and partnering between services providers in the county. Prior to HPC there was little communication or partnering between agencies

Comments
As the food insecurity numbers continue to increase, it is important to inform decision makers about the issues and who is using food pantries - working families.