Schenectady Inner City Ministry

ACCESS TO FOOD CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF THE MAIN HURDLES FACED BY COMMUNITIES THAT LIVE IN POVERTY. THIS PROJECT IS IN RESPONSE TO OUR ROBUST HISTORY WITH THE COMMUNITY AROUND ISSUES OF FOOD INSECURITY THAT SPANS WELL OVER 25 YEARS. WE BELIEVE IT IS IMPERATIVE TO DEVELOP MECHANISM THROUGH WHICH WE CAN BETTER ENGAGE THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE IN A WAY THAT HIGHLIGHTS DIGNITY, CELEBRATES THE CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF THE REGION, BETTER ORGANIZES RELATED SERVICES, AND PROVIDES INPUT TO THE WORK WE FACILITATE AS AN ORGANIZATION. THROUGH THIS PLANNING PROJECT WE PROPOSE TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BY DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE AND STRATEGIC PLAN TO:1. EXPAND FOOD PANTRY SERVICES INTO CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS2. DEVELOP A CULTURE OF URBAN FARMING THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED FARMING OPPORTUNITIES AND HOME-BASED OPERATIONS3. ENHANCE OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BY FACILITATING COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES THAT IMPROVE NUTRITION, COOKING, FARMING, GARDENING, AND OTHER LIFE SKILLSTHIS STRATEGIC AND SUSTAINABLE PLAN WILL BE DEVELOPED INTENTIONALLY WITH THE INPUT AND COLLABORATION OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE AND ALONGSIDE ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR AREA THAT PROVIDE SERVICES AND KNOWLEDGE BASES BEYOND OUR OWN. THE COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECT THAT WILL RESULT FROM THIS PLAN WILL PROVIDE IMPORTANT, COMMUNITY-BASED DATA THAT WILL ENHANCE OUR ORGANIZATION'S SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING BETTER ARTICULATED, LONG-TERM COLLABORATIONS WITH SISTER SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. THE STRENGTH OF THE STRATEGY OF THIS PLANNING PROJECT IS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AS THE FOUNDATION TO AFFIRM DIGNITY AND DIVERSITY, INFORMING AND ENHANCING OUR WORK FOR FOOD SECURITY.