Results:
Breadbasket is redesigning the intake system, which involves completing a skills assessment, an orientation on the expectations of participating with Breadbasket, and designing a program that will lead to the client improving his or her own life.
Going forward Breadbasket will require that clients participate in at least one of the areas of programming in order to receive continued commodity assistance. The client will be able to participate for two consecutive months after orientation without entering any programming, but will be expected to choose a program during one of the two months. Afterward, the client would only be allowed to receive assistance once every 6 months. If the client chooses to participate Breadbasket programming, then we will continue to provide commodity assistance. If the client does not choose to participate, the services will be suspended for 6 months.
We will be also be adding the following programs;
School Feeding Programs (SFSP, At-Risk, and Adult Programs)
Community Garden. Land has been allocated
Quarterly Health Fair with Targeted Issues in Mental Health, Diabetes, etc.
Fitness classes, including Yoga, Pilates, Zumba
Target demographics: Methodism Breadbasket has historically provided emergency food assistance, clothing, and financial assistance to families in the Dallas area. The majority of the services are provided to clients that live in environments plagued by joblessness, crime, and broken families. The majority of our clients include the chronically unemployed, the working poor, veterans, and single mothers. With our help, we will walk with them with a compassionate spirit so they can be encouraged to achieve their highest potential. We recognized that our ability to make a true impact lies in the fact that we have to work actively to find solutions to the root causes of the problems.
Direct beneficiaries per year: Methodism's Breadbasket (MBB), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) food pantry and clothing closet, is a key distributor of charitable resources to families in East and South Dallas. Each month MBB distributes more than 16,000 pounds of food, toiletries, clothing, and housewares.
Geographic areas served: Founded in 1970, MBB serves residents in ZIP codes 75210, 75215, 75217, 75218, 75223, 75227, and 75228 whose household income is below The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) guidelines. MBB is a North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) partner agency as well as a mission of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church (NTCUMC).
Programs: Our plans involve taking a proactive approach to addressing these issues, and implementing a case-management system that serves to guide clients from their current status to one in which they can become closer to leading a life of self-sufficiency. We will concentrate our efforts on four areas that we believe deserve the most attention. They are: Educational and Professional Development, Financial Literacy, Commodity Assistance, and Health and Wellness.
We all have a responsibility to our larger society. For the community to survive and thrive, we must be willing to share our unique talents and provide guidance to those who are unable to take of their basic needs.
