HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2009-71the it l
KENALALA SKIT
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2009 -71
Suggested by: Councilor Smalley
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, SUPPORTING
THE EFFORTS OF THE KENAI PENINSULA FOOD BANK "BUILDING TO NOURISH"
CAMPAIGN TO SECURE BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO
MATCH A RASMUSON FOUNDATION GRANT FOR BUILDING RENOVATIONS AND
UPGRADES THAT WILL ENHANCE THE FOOD BANK'S EFFORTS TO PROVIDE MORE
FOOD TO THE INCREASING NUMBERS OF HUNGRY WITHIN THE KENAI PENINSULA
BOROUGH.
WHEREAS, for 22 years the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank has helped feed hungry
residents within the Kenai Peninsula Borough because no one deserves to be hungry;
and,
WHEREAS, the Food Bank now processes and distributes, with the help of their 65
member agencies, over one million pounds of food annually which monthly touches
over 20% of Borough residents, including children who account for 30% of those
served; and,
WHEREAS, the Food Bank has had to turn away food donations due to the lack of
available on -site cold storage; and,
WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank is now processing at least 45% more food
than at the time of building construction in 1997; and,
WHEREAS, after an in -depth space needs study in December 2008 the Kenai
Peninsula Food Bank was awarded a $395,000 challenge grant from the Rasmuson
Foundation to help fund half of the building upgrades, including a warehouse addition
with a new energy efficient cooler /freezer; and,
WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank must match the Rasmuson Foundation
grant dollar for dollar to pay for the needed building improvements which will make it
possible to receive and distribute more food to fight hunger within the Kenai Peninsula
Borough; and,
WHEREAS, the Kenai City Council acknowledges that in these harder economic times
hunger is a growing problem and no one deserves to be hungry.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KENAI, ALASKA, the City of Kenai supports the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank's efforts to
secure both public and private funding to match the Rasmuson Foundation grant for
building renovations and upgrades that will enhance the Food Bank's efforts to
provide more food to the increasing numbers of hungry within the Kenai Peninsula
Borough.
RESOLUTION NO. 2009 -71
PAGE 2 of 2
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 16th day of
December, 2009.
ATTEST:
Carol L. Freas, City Clerk
New Text Underlined; IDELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
PAT PORTER, MAYOR
United
Way
A United Way Agency
December 9, 2009
Kenai City Council Members
City of Kenai
210 Fidalgo Avenue
Kenai, AK 99611
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
e erely,
nda Swarner
Executive Director
Kenai Peninsula Food Bank, Inc.
Because no one deserves to be hungry
The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank has undertaken the Building to Nourish campaign to
raise $395,000 to match dollar for dollar a Rasmuson Foundation challenge grant to help
fund much needed building improvements. An important consideration in our grant
applications is proof of local support, Therefore, the campaign cabinet join me in asking
for your support of the attached Resolution. Your approval will publicly recognize our
campaign and enhance our efforts to obtain both private and public donations in order
reach our goal.
Hunger is a growing problem! However, in recent years the Food Bank has had to turn
away food donations due to the lack of cold- storage space at our warehouse just off of
Kalifonsky Beach Road. The campaign will fund an addition to the warehouse, which
will include a much larger energy efficient cooler/ freezer unit. Other renovation /repairs
include a new heating system, an upgraded 3 -phase electrical system, foundation
repairs, an arctic entry and waiting area, a deep sink and restroom in the warehouse, a
delivery area canopy, and enhanced safety features and equipment in the food
processing area. It is our desire that the improvements will allow us to obtain and
process more food for the increasing numbers of hungry on the Kenai Peninsula
because no one deserves to be hungry!
Over a quarter of the Food Bank's agencies, including the Kenai Senior Center, provide
food to Kenai residents. We feed people because no one deserves to be hungry.
For more information on the improvements and the Building to Nourish campaign,
please visit our website at www.kpfoodbank.org/btn. I have also included a copy of our two
campaign brochures. Please contact me if I can provide additional information or answer
your questions.
33955 Community College Drive
Soldotna, Alaska 99669
(907) 262 -3111
fax (907) 262 6428
The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank is out of space. Since organizing in 1987, our needs
have dramatically increased. Today. it is not uncommon for us to have to turn food
donations away. We frequently rely on off -site storage and freezer space, or distribute
perishable items within the same day. All indications are that this trend will continue: in
the past year, our new client base has increased by 40 percent.
r an a• a al•
st hunger results
g
hunger cuts across the in.
mographics, and the urban -rural c
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ow us to
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A new heating system, accessible restruom, storage
supply area, upgraded electrical services, and repair:
to the foundation will help the Food [lank maintai
its current level of service.
A new energy- efficient Geezer and cooler win
eliminate waste and enable the Food Bank to receiv
and distribute more perishable food to the growin
customer base and agencies. An expanded sortin_
area will allow stall to wort: with greater efficiency.
Additions of a secure storage area, vestib
e ocatmg t
and worktal.
scale will
equipment a
Growing the Rase
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et rac u
ing a new s
and accessit
Growinrs th
awirg the Sc.
r is appreciated
a donors will be
re the .^wsletter, in print
ads, on our v ab site, and permanently
on I, t:.i. Those contributing $1,000
rn vill raceive a wooden plaque.
ri.buting $15,000 or more
:V. .al recognition at t
n'•• h... eremony.
Mn.
with a check or credit card in• ma
ity
College Driv •.dob
i Peninsula Poor! Bank at
1101
Drive,
anstruction in 20