Application for Partnership Thank you for expressing interest in partnering with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank! Our mission is to ensure that everyone in our communities has the nutritious food they need every day. Our service area includes Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Ashland, Ashtabula, and Richland counties. Applications will not be processed until all information has been submitted. The process to become a member agency may take 4-6 weeks. If an application is submitted October - December, you will receive a follow up response in January. Partnership is year round and we are unable to support one time special events or distributions for organizations that are not partners i.e. Thanksgiving turkey drives, basket giveaways etc. If you have any questions, please call the Agency Services Department at (216) 738-2068. We look forward to a great partnership! Please read the General Guidelines and Storage Requirements for becoming a Food Bank Partner Agency to determine if your organization meets the criteria for membership and can operate within the guidelines and policies of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, please call Agency Services at 216-738-2068. All organizations need to complete our application online in order to be considered for membership. Our membership priorities are Food Pantries that have the capability to serve their community at least twice per month, providing food to a minimum of 100 households per month, and/or are located in an underserved area. Communities we would like to expand to based on the largest people gaps for communities that qualify for our services, but do not receive them include: Ashtabula Township, Cleveland Heights, Euclid, Lakewood, Mansfield, Maple Heights, Mentor, North Olmsted, Parma, Strongsville as well as the Cleveland Neighborhoods of Broadway-Slavic Village, Kamm's, Old Brooklyn, and West Boulevard. Applications for Food Pantries or Hot Meals will not be accepted if the Food Pantry or Hot Meal has been operating for less than 6 months. Applications for Group Homes and Residential Programs will not be accepted if the agency has been operating for less than 1 year, and/or serves less than 15 residents per agency site. Please use the checklist below to make sure you have included all the information to make your application packet complete. Checklist for submitting a complete application: Copy of the 501c3 IRS determination letter. This is not your tax exempt I.D. number, but a letter from the IRS stating that you are a charitable, non-profit organization. Please provide a letter of interest on your organization's letterhead that includes the following: brief description of the program you operate including the "who, what, where, why and how" information, and also include information on how the program will be funded. A list of Board of Directors names, addresses and telephone numbers. Pantry or Hot Meal's 6 Months of Operation Documents (examples may include: 6 months of distribution sign-in sheets, 6 months of food receipts, or 6 months of volunteer work schedules). All above items must be included with your application. After reviewing your application and determining the level of need in your geographic area for your program type, we will contact you to make an appointment to visit your agency or to suggest partnering with an existing program. The purpose of the site visit is to confirm the program information you have provided, look at the food storage/food preparation areas, and to meet with you and answer any questions you may have. You will be required to attend an orientation session, an online ordering training, and a safe food handling class before you become a member agency. These classes are offered about every 6-8 weeks. We do not hold orientation classes during November and December. General Requirements/Guidelines for Becoming a Food Bank Partner Agency The organization must maintain a 501(c)3 status as determined by the IRS. Must operate a feeding program that directly serves the needy, ill, infants/children and the elderly, and use the Food Bank product only in a manner related to its tax-exempt purpose. Your organization must be located in an area of need. The Food Bank reserves the right to review the concentration of existing programs in your neighborhood and may make a recommendation to partner with an existing program. If applying to be a Food Pantry or Hot Meal, a minimum of 1 food distribution or meal is required a month. Having more than 1 distribution or meal a month is strongly encouraged. (Through gap analysis and research, the Food Bank will make recommendations for the best days/times to have your distributions or meals.) Emergency Feeding Partners (Ex. Pantry, Hot Meal, Shelters), serve a minimum of 100 households or meals per month. All food must be stored, prepared and distributed at a site approved by the Food Bank. Locations not permitted include a personal residence or storage locker/unit. All Emergency Feeding program partners (Ex. Pantry, Hot Meal, and Shelters), acknowledge that in accordance with Federal laws and USDA policy, we agree we will comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C §1681 et seq.), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. § 6101 et seq.); all provisions required by the implementing regulations of the Department of Agriculture; Department of Justice Enforcement Guidelines, 28 CFR Part 50.3 and 42; and FNS directives and guidelines, to the effect that, no person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, political belief, sex including gender identity and sexual orientation, age, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or otherwise be subject to discrimination under any program or activity for which the program applicant receives Federal financial assistance from FNS. The member agency agrees to operate the program in accordance with requirements of 7 CFR 247, 250 , and 251 (where applicable), as well as the Food Programs Manual. Cannot require clients to pay a fee for meals or pantry bags of food. All products must be distributed at no charge, with no suggested or implied donation amount. Cannot require participation or attendance in religious service, ministry, or class of any kind in order to receive food or a meal. Cannot impose volunteer requirements for clients to receive food. In addition, volunteers and/or staff may access the services provided, but must meet guidelines for service and be served in a manner that is consistent with all other clients. Special treatment for staff/volunteers is prohibited. Must have the capabilities to use a computer and place orders online. If applying to become a pantry program, must have the ability to use an internet-based client intake system (requires internet capabilities and computer on-site). Food Bank product must only be distributed / used for the approved program's clients, it must not be distributed or sold to another person, agency, group or organization or used for any other purpose (ex: fundraisers, block parties, funeral meals). Must maintain regular, published hours of operation. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank reviews agency service hours regularly and may request or encourage your site to adjust service times based on community need. Must maintain a filing system for paperwork that includes Food Bank invoices, monthly statistical reports, and client income eligibility forms (if applicable). All paperwork must be kept for 7 years, and made available upon request. Must be willing to provide the Food Bank with regular service statistics by submitting a monthly statistical report by the 5th working day of every month that summarizes how many people were served during the previous month. Monthly stats must be submitted electronically. Must allow site-visits, sometimes without prior notification. Must have the capacity, willingness, and desire to help distribute nutritious foods, close dated product, and help the Food Bank meet its mission and organizational goals. The member agency must be financially viable with provisions in place to sustain agency operations. Payment to the Food Bank must be drawn from the 501(c)3 agency's checking account. Storage Requirements/Guidelines All Food Bank product must be stored at an approved location. Food storage area should be secure. Must have adequate storage space and refrigeration at the site of the distribution to ensure the integrity of the product until it is prepared or distributed. It is the Food Bank's expectation that agencies have the ability to store and distribute highly nutritious fresh produce and other perishable product. Each agency must have at least one refrigerator and one freezer. All food products must be stored according to safe food handling procedures. Dry products must be 6" off the floor and 18" from the ceiling, pallets and shelving may be used. This also includes walk-in coolers and freezers. Non-food items such as cleaning products must be stored separately from food. Must maintain appliances at proper temperatures and have thermometers in each storage area. Temperature logs must be kept for the refrigerator, freezer and dry storage area to ensure proper storage. All appliances must be located at distribution site. I certify that I have read and understand the General Requirements and Guidelines for Becoming a Food Bank Partner Agency.* Yes No General InformationOrganization Name:* Site Address:* City:* Zip:* County:* Program Phone Number:* Email Address:* Please note: Your agency MUST have the capabilities to use a computer and place your orders online to be considered for membership. Pantry Programs are required to use an internet based client intake system.Statement Email Address:* Please note: The Greater Cleveland Food Bank emails monthly billing statements to partner agencies. Is your organization an affiliate of another organization?* Yes No If yes, name of umbrella/parent organization:* (Parent organization is programmatically, legally and fiscally responsible for the operation and liabilities of your program)What type of program are you applying to be?* Pantry Program (providing at least 3 days supply of food for client to take home for everyone in the household) On-Site Meal Providers (providing prepared food for the general public to eat meals or snacks at your site i.e. congregate meals, soup kitchens etc.) Non-Emergency Pantry Program (pantry programs NOT open to the general public) Non-Emergency Meal Providers (meal providers NOT open to the general public providing meal and snack items i.e. closed meal site) Are you a healthcare facility?* No Yes Do you plan for this pantry to be a Food Clinic, in which patients are provided food prescriptions intended to improve their health outcomes?* Yes No Do you plan on screening for food insecurity?* Yes No Do you plan on referring individuals who have screened positive for food insecurity to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank Help Center, where they are able to access information about additional food resources, receive aid with SNAP applications, and be referred to additional community resources?* Yes No Are you able to provide the Greater Cleveland Food Bank with the number of individuals screened for food insecurity, total number of positive screens, and the number of individuals referred on a semi-annual basis?* Yes No Sources of Funding:* Donations Grants/Foundations Fundraising Events Other If you selected other, please explain: Explain your programs ongoing funding plan:* What percentage of your food is purchased?* What percentage of your food is donated?* Geographic service boundaries (if any):* Does your program have certain client restrictions?* (for example: only church members are allowed to receive assistance) How does/will your organization screen clients for eligibility? Describe your intake process, on the bottom of the page upload a sample screening/intake forms if in use:* Does your site location have internet and a computer to be used to complete client intake electronically?* Yes No Does your organization require income verification and/or client identification? Please explain* Do you/will you charge a fee or require clients to work/volunteer in order to receive services?* Yes No If yes, describe fee/work requirement system:* Do you have adequate transportation to pick up product from Food Bank?* Yes No N/A Do you have adequate volunteers to unload a delivery from the Food Bank?* Yes No N/A Please note: Delivery fee applies Do you have regular pest control?* Yes No If Yes, please provide company name:* If No, please state the method you use to control pest/rodent problems:* How many volunteers do you have?* How many paid staff members do you have?* Do you have a collaborative partnership with any organizations that provide employment services?* Yes No If yes, what organizations do you work with?* Do you have a collaborative partnership with any organizations that provide housing assistance?* Yes No If yes, what organizations do you work with?* Do you have a collaborative partnership with any organizations that provide health and wellness services?* Yes No If yes, what organizations do you work with?* Are you interested in receiving prepared meals from GCFB's kitchen (minimum of at least 15 client or resident meals in order to be eligible to receive GCFB prepared meals). Yes No Pantry Programs(Complete this section only if your agency distributes bags/boxes of food) Program must be open at least 1 time a month all year Date current food program began or anticipated start date:* Days/hours of food program distribution:* Please note: Food Bank staff may recommend different days and times for distributions after the Food Bank completes geographic mapping of the area. The Food Bank does not want to duplicate distribution efforts. How many households are served (anticipate to be served) monthly:* How many individuals are served (anticipate to be served) monthly:* How many days worth of food do/will you provide?* Is/will your pantry be open for emergencies?* Yes No Does/will your pantry deliver to guests?* Yes No How often may clients receive food?* Is the food storage area secure and locked?* Yes No Describe dry storage area (size, shelves, cabinets, pallets, basement area, etc):* Will your organization require delivery of product from the Food Bank's fleet? (Please note that a delivery fee is associated.)* Yes No If deliveries are needed, please indicate what recurring days and times your agency requests. All requests are submitted to Fleet for approval.* On-Site Meal Providers(Complete this section only if clients eat meals or snacks at your location) Program must be open 1 time a month all yearDate current meal program began or anticipated start date:* What type of program (hot meal, shelter, children’s program etc.):* Days/hours of feeding program operation:* What kind of meals are served at your site?* Breakfast Lunch Snacks Dinner Do you serve your meals* Daily Weekly Monthly Approximately how many meals are served monthly?* Does your agency prepare meals on-site?* Yes No Does your agency use catered meals?* Yes No Does your agency hold a risk level III or IV with the local health department?* Yes No If yes, do you have one (1) person on site that has a State of Ohio approved Food Safety Manager certificate?* Yes No Please know this is a requirement if agency holds a risk level III or IV.Is your agency licensed and inspected by the Board of Health?* Yes No If yes, what is your license number:* Is the food storage area secure and locked?* Yes No Describe dry storage area (size, shelves, cabinets, pallets, basement area, etc):* Describe kitchen facility:* Will your organization require delivery of product from the Food Bank's fleet? (Please note that a delivery fee is associated.)* Yes No If deliveries are needed, please indicate what recurring days and times your agency requests. All requests are submitted to Fleet for approval.* Please note: Your program must have at least 1 refrigerator and 1 freezerIndicate how many residential refrigerators your agency has:*012345+Indicate how many commercial refrigerators your agency has:*012345+Indicate how many commercial freezers your agency has:*012345+Indicate how many upright freezers your agency has:*012345+Indicate how many chest freezers your agency has:*012345+Do you have thermometers in:* Dry storage area Refrigerators Freezers We currently do not have any thermometers in any areas Do you currently keep temperature logs?* Yes No ConclusionProgram contact name:* Program contact work number:* Program contact cell or home number:* Program contact email address:* Director/Administrator/Pastor (if different than above): Director/Administrator/Pastor phone number: Authorized people to place food orders at the Food Bank:All orders must be placed online (Up to 3 people) Person 1 Name:* Person 1 Phone Number:* Person 1 Email:* Person 2 Name: Person 2 Phone Number: Person 2 Email: Person 3 Name: Person 3 Phone Number: Person 3 Email: Authorized people to pick up food orders at the Food Bank (if different):(Up to 3 people)Person 1 Name: Person 1 Phone Number: Person 1 Email: Person 2 Name: Person 2 Phone Number: Person 2 Email: Person 3 Name: Person 3 Phone Number: Person 3 Email: Any other pertinent information:To the best of my knowledge the above information is correct:* Yes No Application completed by:* Completion of this application does not guarantee membership. We will review your application to ensure it is complete and meets our organizational priorities for membership. Not all applications result in Food Bank membership. Upload Documents501c3 File or Church Qualifier and Supporting Documents*Max. file size: 49 MB.CLICK HERE to download a Church Qualifier Form. Letter of Interest File*Max. file size: 49 MB.Please note: The letter of interest must be signed by the Director or PastorList of Board of Directors File*Max. file size: 49 MB.Please be sure this list includes names, addresses and telephone numbersFood Safety Certification FileMax. file size: 49 MB.If you already are certified please upload your certificate. Pantry or Hot Meal's 6 Months of Operation Documents*Max. file size: 49 MB.Proof of existence may include: 6 months of distribution sign-in sheets, 6 months of food receipts, or 6 months of volunteer work schedules.Any additional documents you would like to include with your applicationMax. file size: 49 MB.EmailThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
