City of Gainesville - File #: 130281.

• File #: 130281.
• Version: 1
• Type: Staff Recommendation
• Status: Passed
• File created: 8/28/2013
• In control: City Manager
• On agenda: 9/19/2013
• Final action: 9/19/2013
• Title: 2013 Strike Out Hunger Food Drive (B) The purpose of this agenda item is to request the City of Gainesville to co-sponsor and authorize staff participation in the 2013 Strike Out Hunger Food Drive for Gainesville/Alachua County.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
9/19/2013	1	City Commission	Approved as Recommended	Pass

Title
2013 Strike Out Hunger Food Drive (B)

The purpose of this agenda item is to request the City of Gainesville to co-sponsor and authorize staff participation in the 2013 Strike Out Hunger Food Drive for Gainesville/Alachua County.

Explanation
For several years, the City of Gainesville and its employees have participated in the Strike Out Hunger Food Drive. The food drive is organized by former Alachua County Commissioner Rodney Long who is requesting that the City co-sponsor this event. The City of Gainesville has been a committed partner in the effort to reduce poverty in Gainesville/Alachua County for a number of years. In addition, the City has been a major partner in the creation and development of the Hunger Abatement Plan for Gainesville/Alachua County. The Strike Out Hunger Food Drive collects food and donations to restock food pantries throughout Gainesville/Alachua County for needy families. Without the annual food drive, many of the local food pantries would run out of food during one of the most critical times of the year, which is the holiday season. For that reason, the Long Foundation, Inc. (hereinafter called the Foundation) is requesting that the City co-sponsor and participate in the food drive.

In November 2012, the Strike Out Hunger Food Drive collected nearly 78,000 pounds of food for Gainesville/Alachua County. The food was distributed to non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations and food banks throughout the City and the County. Last year, the City co-sponsored the event, provided meeting spaces for the planning sessions, issued a proclamation and authorized staff to coordinate the event for City employees. The City of Gainesville employees collected over 2,173 pounds of food and $130 for last year’s food drive. The Alachua County Commission and its staff coordinated the event for the county-wide food drive.

In 2013, the Foundation will be responsible for coordinating and providing the necessary resources to ensure the suc...