From: John Javna

Sent: Thu Feb 17 06:44:12 2011

To: Cylvia Hayes

Subject: The Ashland/Medford Food Project

Importance: Normal

Hi, Cylvia:

Thanks so much for including us in your meeting last Thursday. We're very excited to be part of your effort, and appreciate your willingness to help spread the message about our innovative program.

I'm happy to report that Ashland's systems worked perfectly in Medford; our first Medford pickup went without a hitch on Feb. 12. We collected 8,200 lbs of food, about double what we expected for our initial attempt. It was divided equally among 20 different food pantries. The amount of food per pantry isn't significant this time, but the fact that they collaborated successfully (and happily -- everyone had a good time) is quite a milestone. They've never worked together on a single project before, and they're enthusiastic about keeping it up. We project that a year from now, we'll be delivering 20 tons of food per pickup in Medford. For the record, Ashland and Talent continue to roll along smoothly as well -- Ashland collected about 20,000 lbs. of food on Sat., and Talent brought in 2,800.

The Medford Food Project was a front-page story in the Sunday Medford Mail Tribune, and was covered by all the local TV stations. I've enclosed a link to the Trib story and to one of the TV reports here.

Trib: http://ashlandfoodproject.com/mfp/media/MT20110213.pdf

TV: http://kdrv.com/news/local/204168

Feb. 12 was also the first pickup for a group in Paradise, California who were inspired by what we're doing in Jackson County. I've enclosed a link to that story as well. It should help answer the question that both you and Governor Kitzhaber asked me, about whether I think the Food Project is replicable in other communities. The answer seems pretty clearly "Yes." The story is here:

http://www.paradisepost.com/news/ci_17387869

As I may have mentioned already, it's our explicit goal to bring the Food Project to communities all over the state, starting in about 6 months. We're preparing in two ways: 1) By applying what we've learned in Ashland & Talent to the Medford-area program, then seeing what adjustments are needed to make it transferrable; and 2) By creating an "Export Package." This package will include a variety of handbooks, graphics, collateral materials, PR materials, and most important, a customized web site/data base designed to automate a number of functions we've identified as essential (and until now have depended on committed volunteers to perform). Without going into too much detail right now, we're trying to make the project as easy as possible for every level of volunteer involvement, and to make it less dependent on specific skills or individuals. We have a team working on creating the specifications needed to get programmers started on this project.

…All of which leads me to this: There is something specific you can do to help us. When the specifications are done. we will probably have to go to a foundation or two to get funding to develop the software. At that point, it would be very useful to have some kind of statement from you and the governor endorsing the project, saying that you'd like to see this program extended to communities all over the state. I hope that by then there will be enough convincing evidence to make this an easy decision for both of you. I can't see any downside to it, and plenty of upside.

In fatter times, we might ask for a state grant to pay for trainers to teach other communities how to run the program. But if there's one takeaway from our meeting in Salem, it's that these are desperate times for social services. And frankly, one of the stronger selling points of our program may be that it's a legit grassroots effort -- no government or government funds involved. I'm fairly certain your willingness to speak out in support of what we're doing will help foundations commit funds to accomplish what we all want.

As things develop, I'll keep you in the loop. I'd really like to show you what this program looks like first-hand, so if there's any chance you (and the governor, if possible) can make it down here on April 9 -- our next pickup date -- that would be terrific. I'm quite sure you'll find it worthwhile.

Thanks again for your interest and support so far. We'll look forward to collaborating with you when the time is right.

Best,

John Javna

The Ashland / Talent / Medford Food Project.