Thank you for your interest in applying for partnership with the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

Harry Chapin Food Bank is a private, nonprofit organization that collects, secures, and distributes donated food to more than 150 feeding partners in five South Florida counties: Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades.

Please read the following documents carefully and in their entirety before submitting your application.

In this packet, you will find contact information for our Agency Relations Manager, a checklist for documents that must be included in the application, and an explanation of operational requirements.

Our Food Bank receives many requests for partnership each year, and we cannot guarantee that every applicant will be accepted into the network.

We accept applications on a rolling basis and make decisions by the end of each month. Please complete every applicable part of the application with as much detail as possible.

We understand that every organization is different, and you may have questions about the way certain parts of the application should be completed.

Our staff is more than happy to help you with this process and will be available for appointments at our Food Bank, by phone, virtually, or by email (see following pages for contact information Additionally, if you feel you need more information about Harry Chapin Food Bank before applying, you are welcome to contact any of our representatives.

We look forward to learning more about the work you do in the community and the ways that our Food Bank can help you accomplish your goals. Harry Chapin Food Bank is proud to be a part of a network that works passionately to end hunger in our area, and we thank you for your efforts to join our cause.

 

Danielle Paez

Agency Relations Manager

 

 

The following documents MUST be submitted with your Application

 You may upload them with this application at a later screen

 

• Copy of your 501c3 letter of determination – This must be the organization’s 501c3.

 

• EIN – If your organization’s 501c3 does not list your Employee Identification Number

 

• 2 letters of recommendation – Letters can be from volunteers, donors, clients, or business contacts.

The content of the letters should describe the impact your program has on the community.

• Board of Directors Contact List

 

• Pest Control Plan/Invoice

 

• Safe Serv Certification

 

• If you require your clients to complete an intake form or application that is separate from your sign-in sheet, please provide a blank copy.

 

• If your organization is inspected by the Department of Health, Fire Department, or the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, please include a copy of your latest inspection or current certificate of operation

 

 

The following items are the minimum operational requirements to become a partner of Harry Chapin Food Bank. All agency partners must provide food for an underprivileged or underserved population: o You must be in the Southwest Florida area in the counties we serve: Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades. o An organization ordering food from Harry Chapin’s Food Bank cannot be run out of a person’s home.

• You must have responsible personnel who are accountable for record keeping, reporting and inventory control.

• You must have proper and adequate physical storage space.

• You must operate regularly scheduled hours with at least one day taking place Monday- Friday, between 8:00am and 4:00pm.

• Your site must pass a site inspection prior to approval and at least a minimal of biannually thereafter.

• You must have the ability and willingness to access and submit information via the internet.

• You must be able to utilize tracking systems to keep track of the individuals served and other demographic information.

• You must establish your own criteria for the individuals you serve; however, criteria must be consistent and be posted at your pantry/feeding site.

• You are responsible to provide training to staff and/or volunteers that will be receiving deliveries, arranging food, and handling distributions.

• You are required to adhere to food safety guidelines at all times.

• Agencies are non-profit organizations or churches that do not redistribute product to other non-profit or for profit entities. Agencies do provide direct service to the hungry.

 

 

Harry Chapin Food Bank and Feeding America require that before an agency can be approved for partnership, it must pass a site inspection. After approval, the site will continue to be inspected biannually.

What do we look for in a site inspection?

• Food and non-food household items are stored separately.

• You have a clean storage area, proper temperature and a secure room.

• You practice “First In, First Out” food distribution.

• All food is stored 6 inches off the floor, add space,10 inches from the ceiling, 2 inches from the wall and shelving has a sealed finish.

• You have working thermometers and use temperature logs.

• Dry storage must be air conditioned year-round, 24 hours a day. 
  • 32 – 41 degrees for a refrigerator and Zero (0) degrees and below for freezer.
  • Dry Storage 70-80 degrees.

 

 

 

Every agency, upon approval of partnership, must attend the New Agency Orientation and training which outlines many of the policies and procedures for being a Partner Agency of Harry Chapin Food Bank. Your program’s Highest Authority, Main Contact, and Primary Shopper must attend. If your food distribution is managed by someone other than the aforementioned representatives, please plan on their attending the training, as well.

 

Harry Chapin Food Bank Contacts

Danielle Paez

Partners Relations Manager

239-334-7007 x129

 

Marissa Stress-Peterson

Director of Programs

239-334-7007 x124