The Foodlink Hotline will act as a referral service for those people requiring information on all food-related programs in the Lower Mainland. Information will be stored in a computer database on services such as food banks, hot meal services, community kitchens, the Good Food Bag, community gardens, buying clubs, meal delivery services and community-based nutrition counselling.
It is the VFPO's goal to increase the accessibility of the above programs, especially for low income individuals and families. Published directories are simply not efficient since this type of information requires constant updating in order to maximize the usefulness of existing programs. No other source for this kind of information is currently available.
The more specific objectives of the Foodlink Hotline are as follows:
The Foodlink Hotline will go beyond simply providing access to the food itself by linking people to resources which encourage self-reliance and empowerment rather than dependency.
As already mentioned, a database of food-related programs will be housed by Information Services in Vancouver. The intial phase of the project will involve collecting and researching the necessary information on all food-related programs in the Lower Mainland. The VFPO already has a sound knowledge of existing programs but this needs to be formalized in conjunction with networking with other community professionals to ensure inclusivity.
A coordinator will manage the hotline in addition to taking calls and training volunteers to also take incoming calls/requests. When a call is received, basic information will be gathered such as the caller's geographic location and what type of information is required. In addition demographics such as gender, age, family type, and number of children, will be collected while maintaining the caller's anonymity. This will allow for periodic analysis of population needs based on the type of requests we receive.
Once basic information is gathered, the caller will be referred to several programs/agencies which fir their stated needs. The Foodlink Hotline will therefore provide an invaluable link between potential users of programs and services and those who can provide them with that service.
While the VFPO would encourage agencies/programs to inform us of any changes in their services in order to keep the database updated, we cannot necessarily rely on this happening. Therefore, updates will be investigated by the Coordinator on a yearly basis using a mailout followed up with phone conversations.
In terms of informing potential users of the hotline, advertising will be particularly useful at community gathering places such as community centres. Pamphlets will be distributed to all food-related programs to reach those already using a particular service but in need of other appropriate resources. A great deal of networking will have to be done with social workers, community nurses and other health professionals so that they are able to inform others about the hotline and its benefits. This may be done by attending professional functions and/or events to efficiently reach a wide range of health care workers.
The VFPO will also target those populations which are often overlooked, specifically the low income community; mental health community; First Nations, infants, youth and women; and seniors. The main sources of information for the above groups will be identified and then provided with information regarding the hotline.