Dear Valued Partner,
During our current reality of greatly heightened need for food assistance across the community, Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) continues to seek ways to help your program reach as many people with food assistance as possible. We see the incredible effort that your organization and so many others are putting forth to help our neighbors every day. Thank you! For our part, we continue to source more donated food, purchased food, and government commodities than ever before.
Both your organization and ours have been called upon to perform our missions at significantly higher levels during these historic times. We are aware of the many challenges and burdens that our partners are facing across all six of the counties we serve.
In an effort to temporarily ease the financial strain on our partners during COVID-19 relief efforts, we would like to announce the following: Beginning July 6, 2020, your organization will not pay fees for the products that you access at SHFB.* Thanks to the generosity of a caring community, SHFB will be using funds contributed by individuals, corporations, and foundations to service the payment of your account balance each month through the end of the year. Your organization will resume responsibility to pay for certain items when our normal fee structure is restored on January 1, 2021.
It is important to note that we do not anticipate any shortages or lack of food availability during these months. We expect large amounts of government commodities, purchased food, and donated food to continue to flow. There will be enough resources to go around for all our partners, in all six counties. There is no reason to change your current pattern of shopping for your clients.
If you have any questions, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the next page. If you still have questions, please contact your SHFB Agency Relations representative.
We are grateful for your service. Be well, and stay safe.
Dave Krepcho
President & CEO
*Our ability to cover the fees for your organization will be based on the average amount per month that you have spent at SHFB over the past three months. This opportunity is also subject to inventory availability, and limits on product volume. Does not apply to fees incurred for service before July 6, 2020. Orders must be placed at least 72 hours ahead of shopping appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is SHFB waiving its normal shared maintenance fees and purchase costs?
A: No. We will continue to charge your accounts as normal for shared maintenance fees and food purchase costs. The difference is that we will pay the balance of your organization’s account for you, using community support we have already received, between July 6, 2020, and December 31, 2020. Our ability to cover the fees for your organization will be based on the average amount your organization has spent at SHFB per month over the last three months.
Q: Which kinds of food does this apply to?
A: It applies to all products you access from SHFB. In addition to the 60% of our inventory that is always FREE to partners (i.e. fresh produce and government commodities), your organization will not pay for shared maintenance items on the inventory, or for food from our purchase inventory.
Q: Does this mean that our organization can place larger orders than usual?
A: We trust you to order what you need to serve your clients. That said, there will be limits on quantities of many products in order to ensure an equitable and fair distribution of resources to all 550 of our partners. Please order responsibly. As always, available inventory of specific products at any given time is variable and beyond our control. Our ability to cover the fees for your organization will be based on the average amount per month your organization has spent at SHFB over the past three months.
Q: If I require delivery of my order instead of picking up from the Distribution Center, will there be a charge for that service?
A: Yes. Only food that is picked up from SHFB will have no cost. While the food itself would be free, delivered food will incur a fee that your organization will be responsible for paying. Note that SHFB is limited in the amount of delivery that is available, and reserves the right to decline requests for delivery for any reason.
Q: If my organization has an existing account balance on July 6, 2020, will the Food Bank pay it off for us?
A: No. Your organization will be responsible for any and all fees or account balances incurred before July 6, 2020, or after December 31, 2020.
Q: Will this arrangement change our normal shopping routine or schedule in any way?
A: No. You should plan to follow all agreed-upon processes and policies in our Memorandum of Agreement, as they relate to ordering and pick up of food. You don’t need to change your routine. Orders must be placed at least 72 hours ahead of shopping appointment.
Q: I have questions not answered here. Whom should I contact?
A: Please contact your SHFB Agency Relations representative. Note that we will be able to serve you best if you reach out to your representative using email.