BECOME A HACAP FOOD RESERVOIR PARTNER
The only way we can solve hunger is by working together. HACAP Food Reservoir works with 300 partners to feed thousands of Iowans across 7 counties. We provide the food and compassionate training you need to help your neighbors live healthier, better lives. Learn more about the support and resources we provide for our partners.
OUR SHARED BELIEFS
Our Network Charter outlines the beliefs and values that the HACAP Food Reservoir share with all of our partners in our fight against hunger.
OUR PROMISE TO OUR PARTNERS
- Provide you exclusive access to a network of organizations that all work towards the same goal of reducing hunger in Eastern Iowa
- Pair you with a full-time Regional Partnership Coordinator to assist in capacity building and assessment, customer service, informational updates and community engagement
- Ensure you and your team are trained in food safety and civil rights
- Organize quarterly in-person and virtual networking opportunities, training, and knowledge sharing of food bank industry best practices
- Ensure safe food handling through monitor visits and compliance checks
- Give you access to an online ordering system with live inventory
- Provide convenient online ordering and scheduling
- Deliver your orders at no charge if you receive deliveries from us
- Provide you a variety of food products, including produce, protein, perishable and nonperishable items
- Grant you exclusive access to National and Local retail donations through our Feeding America Membership
- Waive all fees for fresh produce, TEFAP and donated food
- Keep nutrition as our number one priority when selecting food to provide to our partners
- Order food in bulk to ensure the lowest available price on purchased product
- Offer you convenient access to retail donations through Agency Enabled Pickups
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Agency must have a 501c3 or be affiliated with a religious organization
- Organization must provide services to participants who are ill, needy or infant (defined as 0-18 years of age)
- Organization is located within our service area: Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn or Washington Counties
- Organization cannot be operated out of a private residence
- Organization has responsible personnel who are accountable for record keeping and inventory control
- Physical location must have proper and adequate physical storage space
- Organization operates regularly scheduled hours and must be open at least once a month
- Pass a site inspection prior to approval and once every two years after that
- Must have the ability and willingness to access and submit information via the internet
- Access to resources in order to pay shared maintenance handling fees, and purchased product when applicable
- Utilize sign-in sheets or another tracking system to keep track of the individuals served and report those numbers to HACAP monthly
- Required to adhere to food safety guidelines
- Have a minimum one agency staff member or volunteer complete food safety training
- Place an order at minimum once every two months or 4 times in a calendar year for seasonal programs
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Read through the above Network Charter, Our Promise, and Membership Requirements
- Complete the "Interest Form" linked below
- Our Regional Partnership Coordinators (RPC) will review all Interest Forms quarterly in January, April, July, and October
- If HACAP Food Reservoir is interested in pursuing a partnership, we will reach out to set up a Pre-Application Screening visit at your potential location to assess whether or not you have adequate space
- Your RPC will recommend whether of not you should complete a Partnership Application. 501c3 or Church Qualifier form will be submitted to HACAP at this time
- HACAP Staff will conduct a review of the service area and Application to discuss whether or not a partnership will be a good fit
- If so, your assigned RPC will meet with you to go over our Annual Agreement Paperwork. Once signed and returned, you are now a part of the HACAP family!
Completed Interest Forms should be submitted via email to foodreservoir@hacap.org or by mail to HACAP Food Reservoir at PO Box 490, Hiawatha, IA 52233.
