Feed-a-Family Items Needed
The following items are needed for each Feed-a-Family Bag donation you make to HUM:
- Green Beans (2 cans)
- Canned corn (2 cans)
- Canned soup (2 cans)
- Canned pasta or Chili (1 can)
- Pasta sauce (1 jar or 3 cans)
- Tuna (2 cans)
- Pork & beans (1 can)
- Canned beef stew (1 can)
- Cereal (1 box)
- Extra vegetable (1 can)
- Peanut butter (1 jar – if desired)
- Fruit (1 can)
- Canned beans: pinto, navy or kidney (1 can)
- Boxed macaroni & cheese (2 boxes)
- Rice (1 bag)
- Dry pasta (1 package – may use stuffing, potatoes, etc.)
- Dry milk (1 box, optional)
Thank you for your donations!
Strategic Direction set by HUM Board of Directors
In 2004, the HUM Board convened a workshop which developed a strategic ten year plan to establish the long term direction of HUM. This plan set the priority mission of HUM as homeless prevention. The goal is to prevent homelessness by providing food, financial help and other support services to those at risk of becoming homeless in our area. Geographically, the goal is to expand these services throughout Volusia and Flagler Counties. Eventually these basic services are to be augmented to include case management assistance, transition shelter, basic medical and prescription drug help as well as possible legal aid.
Food has become the the staple program of this ministry. "Feed-A-Family-Bags" which contain a balanced menu source of food to feed a family of four for five meals can provide the financial bridge to carry a family from one paycheck to the next. In 2006 an impressive 19,540 bags were distributed, which is almost doubled the amount given in 2004! Each needy family is permitted one such bag per month.
In 2005 the decision was made to move the "Feed-A-Family-Bag" program beyond the use of fixed distribution points with the launching of "HUM-On-Wheels". This has opened up West Volusia and Flagler Counties to the service. With the help of partners in the area, "HUM-On-Wheels" now distributes over 800 bags per month alone. The program has proven the mobile concept, which will evolve over time to having a fixed central food management location serving a much broader area on a cost effective basis. The same mobile concept can be used to deliver the other major support element, financial assistance. All clients are monitored through an integrated database known as the Homeless Information Management System.
Another cornerstone of the strategy is the most publicly recognized and visible ministry program of HUM, the "Bridge Of Hope" hot meal program. From a humble beginning in the 1980's where one meal per week was served to about 50 guests, the "Bridge Of Hope" now serves over 100,000 hot meals per year and is projected to top out in 2007 at 135,000. Here again the meal service is aimed at those at risk. Utilizing the HUM kitchen facilities at the Homeless Assistance Center and First United Methodist Church in New Smyrna Beach, a broad donated and frugally purchased food acquisition network, the support of a 400+ group of volunteers and the tireless effort of a small HUM management group, nearly 300 people are served each day at a total cost of approximately $.55 per meal.
The feeding program has now been extended to cover the families now staying at the STAR Emergency Shelter. The residents have access to breakfast in the STAR facilities and can come to the Bridge Of Hope for both lunch and dinner. This effort has required additional paid staff and volunteers plus added food supplies. The STAR Shelter has gotten many families with children and people recovering from hospitalization off the street and and has given them a chance to get settled.
Homelessness should not be an alternative!
