How do you help a community put an end to a food desert?
You put the community in charge.
The Challenge
The Community Foundation of South Jersey knew there had to be a better way to engage their residents in the production, sourcing, sales and distribution of food in their neighborhoods. They just didn’t know where to start.
Our Solution
Revitalizing a city is no small task. Doing so without the direct input and leadership of that city’s most vibrant community members? Impossible.
That’s why we implemented and helped lead an intentional strategic design process that brought about the formation of a self-sufficient Community Advisory Board. A first of its kind initiative, we helped find the 18 most qualified, representative community members who make up the very fabric of Camden, and empowered them with decision-making and governance of all fundraising efforts and distribution.
We conducted direct community engagement work, to help create a pipeline for continued feedback and growth. And we helped identify the various players in the ecosystem to create an ongoing source of funding and opportunity.
On top of all that, we’re also facilitating a design process using a pilot model to define the strategy for a massive fundraising effort that will help end hunger in an entire community.
A $60K pilot investment helped the initiative get off the ground. Partnering with the Campbell’s Soup Company, we are able to leverage an additional $250K/year commitment to help fund infrastructure, provide business assistance, and design fundraising efforts. The goal is to reach $3.5M in funding.
When the day happens, we’re proud to say we helped make it happen.