Hunger Dialogue

What is a Hunger Dialogue and why do we need one?

The Hunger Dialogue is a space to empower leaders of all ages and sectors to communicate and collaborate towards a hunger-free community. Jefferson County needs one, because people in the community suffer from hunger as evidenced from the following statistics reported by the U.S. Census Bureau and United Way.

  • 13.6% of Jefferson County residents are food insecure

    1 in 5 (19.3%) of youth are food insecure

    14.6% of households meet poverty criteria

  • 39% of households are ALICE

    49% of elderly residents are ALICE

    50% of school age youth are eligible for the free and reduced lunch program

Definitions

How does it work?

The Jefferson County Hunger Dialogue meets on the 4th Thursday of every month from noon - 1:00p.m. at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center.

There is a speaker/presenter at each meeting, as well as, time for people to work on projects and initiatives.

If you are interested in speaking or attending, please, contact Dee Sandquist at dsandquist@jeffersoncountyia.com.

The Jefferson County Hunger Dialogue began in 2016.

Who attends?

The meetings are open for anyone interested alleviating hunger in Jefferson County.

Activities and Outcomes

  • Come to Supper (Greg Freidrich)
  • Kids Garden (Faith Reeves, Sky Factory, Jay Thompson)
  • Hy-Vee Garden Grant
  • Community Resource  (Kay Kress, Dee Sandquist)
  • Inventory (Margaret Dwyer)
  • Fairfield Public Library Display (Julie Fiske)
  • Seed Saver Library Tour  (Rebecca Johnson)
  • Lord's Cupboard Tour (Laura Cohen)
  • Little Food Pantry (Barbara Hayes)
  • School lunch fundraisers (Vaju)
  • Action Planning and Asset Mapping (Anna Bruen, Pathfinders RC&D, Dee Sandquist, Stuart Valentine, Detra Dettmann)
  • The World Food Prize: Iowa Hunger Summit presentation

List of past topics and presenters

  • Food Insecurity - Jay Thompson, Middle School Guidance Counselor
  • Cornerstone Community Well - Carol Meyers
  • Little Food Pantry - Barbara Hayes
  • School Meals and First Book Program - Stephanie Hawkins, Fairfield Public School Food Service Director
  • Green Iowa Americorp Volunteers - Lucy Andich and Lacy Teal
  • Food Utility - John Ikerd
  • Tablet to Table Food Rescue Program - Marg Dwyer
  • New Hope, Oskaloosa, Iowa - Blaine Voss
  • Johnson County Hunger Task Force - Dee Sandquist
  • African Violet Foundation
  • SIEDA
  • DeCat/Community Partnership for Protecting Children