2021-11-15T09:01:39-06:00 2020-12-31 030280081 JMM & ASSOCIATES PC 336 WATER TOWER CIR STE 801 COLCHESTER VT 05446 990 2020-01-01 030336357 HUNGER FREE VERMONT INC HUNG 8028650255 38 EASTWOOD DRIVE SUITE 100 SOUTH BURLINGTON VT 05403 ANORE HORTON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 8028650255 2021-10-27 true ANORE HORTON 999009999 RANDALL L SARGENT CPA P00136499 8026555665 2021-11-15 2020 2022-09-23 18:48:47Z ANORE HORTON 38 EASTWOOD DRIVE SUITE 100 SOUTH BURLINGTON VT 05403 1530609 false X WWW.HUNGERFREEVT.ORG X 1993 VT TO END THE INJUSTICE OF HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION FOR ALL VERMONTERS. 10 10 17 1100 0 1293544 1520836 6131 2075 1332 5668 1650 2030 1302657 1530609 28471 7000 0 820559 899124 0 170548 280747 281664 1129777 1187788 172880 342821 630871 1140214 34772 201294 596099 938920 X TO END THE INJUSTICE OF HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION FOR ALL VERMONTERS. false true 480854 7000 1775 CHILD NUTRITION INITIATIVES SCHOOL AGE INITIATIVES: HUNGER FREE VERMONT PROVIDES FREE, CUSTOMIZED COACHING AND TRAINING FOR SCHOOLS, TOWNS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN ESTABLISHING, AND EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN, ALL OF THE FEDERAL CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO OPERATE. THESE INCLUDE SCHOOL BREAKFAST, SCHOOL LUNCH, AFTERSCHOOL MEALS AND SNACKS, AND SUMMER MEALS. THESE CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS PROVIDE A RELIABLE SOURCE OF NUTRITION FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, AND ALSO REDUCE FAMILY HUNGER BY REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES MUST SPEND TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR THEIR CHILDREN. SINCE THE START OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE HAVE FOCUSED ON HELPING SCHOOLS IMPLEMENT CREATIVE WAYS TO REACH ALL CHILDREN WITH MEALS, EVEN WHEN SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN CLOSED. WE WERE SO SUCCESSFUL THAT VERMONT WAS THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT ACTUALLY SERVED MORE SCHOOL MEALS IN 2020 THAN WE DID IN 2019. SUMMER MEALS EXPANSION: BECAUSE SUMMER IS A PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TIME FOR FOOD INSECURE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND BECAUSE SUMMER MEAL PROGRAMS REACH ONLY A FRACTION OF ALL LOW-INCOME CHILDREN WHO NEED THEM, HUNGER FREE VERMONT DEVOTES CONSIDERABLE STAFF TIME AND RESOURCES TO EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE ACCESS TO A SUMMER MEAL SITE FOR THE FULL TEN WEEKS OF SUMMER VACATION EACH YEAR. WE DO THIS THROUGH DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, COMMUNITY ORGANIZING THROUGH OUR HUNGER COUNCILS, AND A CONCERTED MEDIA AND ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN. EVEN DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, WE HELPED COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT VERMONT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SPECIAL SUMMER MEAL PROGRAM FLEXIBILITIES IN 2020 TO BREAK ALL PREVIOUS RECORDS FOR THE NUMBER OF FREE SUMMER MEALS PROVIDED TO CHILDREN, AND HELPED KEEP VERMONT'S LEVEL OF CHILD HUNGER TO ONE OF THE LOWEST IN THE NATION. UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS CAMPAIGN: HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY AFFECT MANY VERMONT FAMILIES WHOSE HOUSEHOLD INCOME MAKES THEM INELIGIBLE FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS, AND, BECAUSE OF THE STIGMA THEY FACE, MANY STUDENTS WILL NOT USE THEIR SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM EVEN WHEN THEY ARE ELIGIBLE. IN ADDITION, WHEN ALL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE, SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS ARE MORE FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE, CAN AFFORD TO PURCHASE MORE LOCAL FOOD, AND CAN SERVE HIGHER QUALITY MEALS. HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS THEREFORE COMMITTED TO MAKING SCHOOL MEALS A UNIVERSAL AND FUNDAMENTAL PART OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AT ALL VERMONT SCHOOLS BY ADVOCATING TO BRING ABOUT STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE. THANKS TO FEDERAL WAIVERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, NEARLY ALL SCHOOLS IN VERMONT HAVE OFFERED UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS SINCE MARCH 2020. WE ARE WORKING TO MAKE THIS CHANGE PERMANENT SO NO CHILD LOSES ACCESS TO SCHOOL MEALS. EARLY CHILDHOOD NUTRITION: BECAUSE GOOD NUTRITION IS ESPECIALLY CRUCIAL WHILE A YOUNG CHILD'S BRAIN IS DEVELOPING, HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS HELPING CHILD CARE PROVIDERS BUILD NUTRITION INTO THE CORE OF THEIR PROGRAMS. WE CONDUCT FREE TRAININGS FOR DIRECTORS AND WORKERS REPRESENTING CHILDCARE CENTERS AND HOMES FROM AROUND THE STATE ON HOW TO INCORPORATE BETTER NUTRITION AND MORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTO THEIR PROGRAMS, AND WE ARE ALSO PILOTING A PROJECT TO HELP THEM SCREEN FAMILIES THEY SERVE FOR HUNGER AND CONNECT THEM TO SNAP AND WIC. HUNGER FREE VERMONT ALSO SERVES AS THE VOICE FOR NUTRITIOUS MEALS IN CHILDCARE IN COALITIONS ADVOCATING FOR IMPROVING AND EXPANDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE CAPACITY IN VERMONT. SINCE THE START OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE HAVE ALSO HELPED CONNECT STRETCHED CHILDCARE PROVIDERS TO SCHOOLS AS A NEW SOURCE OF HEALTHY MEALS. 312042 FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES HUNGER FREE VERMONT IMPROVES ACCESS TO AND PARTICIPATION IN 3SQUARESVT (KNOWN NATIONALLY AS SNAP) WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE, CONSISTENT, AND DIGNIFIED MEANS TO PREVENT HUNGER IN THE US. SNAP PROVIDES FUNDS ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS CAN USE TO BUY FOOD TO PREPARE AT HOME. HUNGER FREE VERMONT WORKS WITH STATE AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN EVERY VERMONT COUNTY TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE PROGRAM, REMOVE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION, AND TRAIN HUNDREDS OF SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO DO APPLICATION ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE ALL THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE. SINCE HUNGER FREE VERMONT BEGAN WORKING ON IMPROVING ACCESS, PARTICIPATION IN 3SQUARESVT HAS INCREASED BY MORE THAN 80%. OUR STATE IS NOW NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR CONNECTING THOSE AT THE LOWEST INCOME LEVELS TO SNAP. OUR FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES TEAM ALSO WORKS TO EXPAND 3SQUARESVT USE AT FARMERS MARKETS, RAISES PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE VALUE OF 3SQUARESVT, AND ENGAGES PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING THIS BIGGEST FOOD SAFETY NET FROM HARMFUL FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES AND CUTS. THIS PUBLIC AWARENESS AND FEDERAL ADVOCACY WORK WAS PARTICULARLY CRITICAL IN PREVENTING THOUSANDS IN VERMONT FROM BEING CUT OFF FROM SNAP IN EARLY 2020. SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HIT, WE HAVE FOCUSED ON GETTING ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT 3SQUARESVT AND OTHER WAYS TO GET HEALTHY FOOD OUT TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VERMONTERS, INCLUDING THOSE NEWLY UNEMPLOYED WHO HAVE NEVER BEFORE FACED HUNGER. ABENAKI FOOD SECURITY / FOOD SOVEREIGNTY PROJECTS: IN 2020, HUNGER FREE VERMONT BEGAN BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE LEADERS OF THE FOUR STATE- RECOGNIZED ABENAKI TRIBES IN VERMONT, WITH THE GOAL OF SEEKING FUNDING TO DIRECTLY REGRANT TO THE TRIBES FOR THEIR OWN COMMUNITY FOOD SOVEREIGNTY PROJECTS. IN ADDITION, WE ARE WORKING WITH THE TRIBES' COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFITS TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE FEDERAL NUTRITION PROGRAMS THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVED FOOD SECURITY FOR TRIBAL CITIZENS, WHO HAVE THE HIGHEST RATES OF HUNGER AND POOR HEALTH OUTCOMES LINKED TO FOOD INSECURITY OF ANY GROUP IN VERMONT. 82903 300 ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: HUNGER FREE VERMONT RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT HUNGER AND ITS SOLUTIONS AND SUPPORTS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL LEADERS IN TAKING ACTION TO END HUNGER THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THROUGH THE HUNGER COUNCILS OF VERMONT. THE 10 HUNGER COUNCILS ARE MADE UP OF OVER 1,000 LOCAL LEADERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO LEARNING ABOUT HUNGER AND WORKING TO ADDRESS HUNGER IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THE STATE BY COORDINATING EFFORTS AND SHARING INFORMATION.THE HUNGER COUNCILS ALSO RESPOND TO COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ARE A FORUM FOR HIGHLIGHTING AND ADDRESSING EMERGING CHALLENGES IN COMMUNITIES. THE HUNGER COUNCILS BECAME CRITICAL REGIONAL FORUMS FOR PLANNING EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. MOST OF THE COUNCILS MET WEEKLY THROUGHOUT 2020, AND HELPED TO IDENTIFY COMMUNITY FOOD NEEDS, LOCATE AND COORDINATE VOLUNTEERS FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION EFFORTS, AND SHARE LOCAL NEEDS WITH STATE AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES. ADVOCACY INITIATIVES: HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS VERMONT'S PRINCIPAL ANTI- HUNGER AUTHORITY AND LEADING FOOD SECURITY POLICY ADVOCATE. HUNGER FREE VERMONT'S ADVOCACY HAS LED TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, VERMONT BECOMING THE FIRST STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO ELIMINATE REDUCED-PRICE SCHOOL MEALS, QUADRUPLING FUNDING FOR OUR STATE FARM TO SCHOOL AND EARLY CHILDHOOD GRANT PROGRAM, SECURING STATE FUNDING TO INCENTIVIZE LOCAL FOOD PURCHASING BY VERMONT SCHOOLS, AND ENSURING TRANSPARENCY AND STAKEHOLDER INPUT BEFORE ANY STATE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES CAN BE MADE TO THE 3SQUARESVT PROGRAM. HUNGER FREE VERMONT HAS BEEN ASKED TO SHARE OUR ADVOCACY STRATEGIES WITH OTHER ANTI-HUNGER ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND AS A RESULT WE HAVE HELPED MANY OTHER STATES ACHIEVE SOME OF THESE SAME OUTCOMES. IN 2019, HUNGER FREE VERMONT LAUNCHED THE UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS CAMPAIGN, A MULTI- YEAR LEGISLATIVE EFFORT TO BRING SCHOOL MEALS TO ALL VERMONT STUDENTS AT NO COST TO THEIR FAMILIES. IN 2019 AND 2020, WE ALSO LED COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE SNAP PROGRAM FROM HARMFUL RULE CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. HUNGER FREE VERMONT ONGOINGLY ADVOCATES FOR IMPROVED ACCESS TO ALL FEDERALLY FUNDED FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS AND POLICIES THAT SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF VERMONTERS. FOOD AS MEDICINE: HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS ALSO COMMITTED TO BETTER CONNECTING HUNGER AS A SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH WITHIN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY, HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PROVIDERS ABOUT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HUNGER AND HEALTH AND IS IMPLEMENTING FOOD INSECURITY SCREENING AND REFERRAL PROTOCOLS IN MEDICAL SETTINGS. 875799 true true false true false false false false false true true false false false false true true false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 1 0 17 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false X 10 10 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false X X X GRETCHEN STERN 8028650255 38 EASTWOOD DRIVE SUITE 100 SOUTH BURLINGTON VT 05403 ANORE HORTON EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 85500 0 4275 CATHERINE DAVIS BOARD CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 KEN WHITE V.P./SECRETA 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JEFF DANNIES TREASURER/MO 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JOHN TUNNICLIFFE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LISA HELMHOLZ-ADAMS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 NICOLE REILLY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ERIN HEINS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHRISTINE BONGARTZ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 STEPHANIE WALSH DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 WILLIAM HOFMANN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL SIROTKIN LEFT JANUARY 2020 DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 COLLEEN BROWN TERM ENDED DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DARREN ALLEN LEFT JUNE 2020 DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 85500 4275 false false false 289836 1231000 4286 1520836 CONFERENCES/STIPENDS/OTHER 611430 2075 2075 2075 5668 5668 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 2030 2030 2030 1530609 4105 5668 7000 7000 89775 62843 13466 13466 649451 483994 73031 92426 13670 9801 1853 2016 89945 64124 12501 13320 56283 41648 6575 8060 7709 7709 69040 61756 7284 16363 16266 97 35446 14368 3994 17084 7740 3407 4233 100 100431 73852 11515 15064 6240 5803 437 4997 4135 272 590 1749 1749 4675 3162 910 603 PROGRAM EXPENSES 23923 23640 283 MISCELLANEOUS 3351 3350 1 1187788 875799 141441 170548 404287 260734 102449 599223 115222 132990 7700 105675 85895 1213 19780 127487 630871 1140214 34772 41079 160215 34772 201294 X 264105 723765 331994 215155 596099 938920 630871 1140214 342821 X false true X true false X 914462 1197843 1020608 1293544 1520836 5947293 914462 1197843 1020608 1293544 1520836 5947293 345747 5601546 87 380 569 1332 5668 8036 62048 62048 6017377 65952 0.93090 0.91470 X PART II, LINE 10 62,048 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false true false false false false true 3041 false false 3041 false SCHEDULE C, PART II-B, LINE 1 IN 2020, THE ORGANIZATION ENGAGED IN LIMITED ALLOWABLE LOBBYING ACTIVITIES THAT INCLUDED LEADING EFFORTS TO PASS A STATE BILL THAT WOULD BRING UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS TO ALL SCHOOLS IN VERMONT, ADVOCATING IN COALITION WITH PARTNERS FOR FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDING TO SUPPORT FOOD SECURITY, HOUSING, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY PROGRAMS, AND SUPPORTING EFFORTS BY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE STATE FARM TO SCHOOL AND EARLY CHILDHOOD GRANTS PROGRAM. ADDITIONALLY THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED ADVANCING PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE, FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS, AND COVID-19 RELIEF AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. 123475 4012 127487 1784 1784 false false 105675 85895 19780 19780 X 1530609 1530609 1530609 1187788 1187788 1187788 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X HUNGER FREE VERMONT INC. BELIEVES THAT IT HAS APPROPRIATE SUPPORT FOR ANY TAX POSITIONS TAKEN AND, AS SUCH, DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT ARE MATERIAL TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. true NORTH COUNTRY SUPERVISORY UNION 121 DUCHESS AVENUE SUITE A NEWPORT VT 05855 030219433 7000 UNIVERSAL MEALS 1 SCHEDULE I, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 2 PROCEDURES FOR MONITORING GRANT FUNDS: FOR ANY REGRANTING FUNDS, RECIPIENTS MUST SUBMIT AN ITEMIZED INVOICE TO HFVT SHOWING THE EXPENSES INCURRED, AND HUNGER FREE VERMONT REIMBURSES THE FUNDS. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 3 IN FY2020 HUNGER FREE EXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THEIR PROGRAMMATIC WORK TO ADDRESS INCREASED FOOD SECURITY NEEDS IN VERMONT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A CHILD NUTRITION INITIATIVES SCHOOL AGE INITIATIVES: HUNGER FREE VERMONT PROVIDES FREE, CUSTOMIZED COACHING AND TRAINING FOR SCHOOLS, TOWNS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN ESTABLISHING, AND EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN, ALL OF THE FEDERAL CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO OPERATE. THESE INCLUDE SCHOOL BREAKFAST, SCHOOL LUNCH, AFTERSCHOOL MEALS AND SNACKS, AND SUMMER MEALS. THESE CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS PROVIDE A RELIABLE SOURCE OF NUTRITION FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, AND ALSO REDUCE FAMILY HUNGER BY REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES MUST SPEND TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR THEIR CHILDREN. SINCE THE START OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE HAVE FOCUSED ON HELPING SCHOOLS IMPLEMENT CREATIVE WAYS TO REACH ALL CHILDREN WITH MEALS, EVEN WHEN SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN CLOSED. WE WERE SO SUCCESSFUL THAT VERMONT WAS THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT ACTUALLY SERVED MORE SCHOOL MEALS IN 2020 THAN WE DID IN 2019. SUMMER MEALS EXPANSION: BECAUSE SUMMER IS A PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TIME FOR FOOD INSECURE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND BECAUSE SUMMER MEAL PROGRAMS REACH ONLY A FRACTION OF ALL LOW-INCOME CHILDREN WHO NEED THEM, HUNGER FREE VERMONT DEVOTES CONSIDERABLE STAFF TIME AND RESOURCES TO EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE ACCESS TO A SUMMER MEAL SITE FOR THE FULL TEN WEEKS OF SUMMER VACATION EACH YEAR. WE DO THIS THROUGH DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, COMMUNITY ORGANIZING THROUGH OUR HUNGER COUNCILS, AND A CONCERTED MEDIA AND ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN. EVEN DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, WE HELPED COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT VERMONT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SPECIAL SUMMER MEAL PROGRAM FLEXIBILITIES IN 2020 TO BREAK ALL PREVIOUS RECORDS FOR THE NUMBER OF FREE SUMMER MEALS PROVIDED TO CHILDREN, AND HELPED KEEP VERMONT'S LEVEL OF CHILD HUNGER TO ONE OF THE LOWEST IN THE NATION. UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS CAMPAIGN: HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY AFFECT MANY VERMONT FAMILIES WHOSE HOUSEHOLD INCOME MAKES THEM INELIGIBLE FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS, AND, BECAUSE OF THE STIGMA THEY FACE, MANY STUDENTS WILL NOT USE THEIR SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM EVEN WHEN THEY ARE ELIGIBLE. IN ADDITION, WHEN ALL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE, SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS ARE MORE FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE, CAN AFFORD TO PURCHASE MORE LOCAL FOOD, AND CAN SERVE HIGHER QUALITY MEALS. HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS THEREFORE COMMITTED TO MAKING SCHOOL MEALS A UNIVERSAL AND FUNDAMENTAL PART OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AT ALL VERMONT SCHOOLS BY ADVOCATING TO BRING ABOUT STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE. THANKS TO FEDERAL WAIVERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, NEARLY ALL SCHOOLS IN VERMONT HAVE OFFERED UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS SINCE MARCH 2020. WE ARE WORKING TO MAKE THIS CHANGE PERMANENT SO NO CHILD LOSES ACCESS TO SCHOOL MEALS. EARLY CHILDHOOD NUTRITION: BECAUSE GOOD NUTRITION IS ESPECIALLY CRUCIAL WHILE A YOUNG CHILD'S BRAIN IS DEVELOPING, HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS HELPING CHILD CARE PROVIDERS BUILD NUTRITION INTO THE CORE OF THEIR PROGRAMS. WE CONDUCT FREE TRAININGS FOR DIRECTORS AND WORKERS REPRESENTING CHILDCARE CENTERS AND HOMES FROM AROUND THE STATE ON HOW TO INCORPORATE BETTER NUTRITION AND MORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTO THEIR PROGRAMS, AND WE ARE ALSO PILOTING A PROJECT TO HELP THEM SCREEN FAMILIES THEY SERVE FOR HUNGER AND CONNECT THEM TO SNAP AND WIC. HUNGER FREE VERMONT ALSO SERVES AS THE VOICE FOR NUTRITIOUS MEALS IN CHILDCARE IN COALITIONS ADVOCATING FOR IMPROVING AND EXPANDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE CAPACITY IN VERMONT. SINCE THE START OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE HAVE ALSO HELPED CONNECT STRETCHED CHILDCARE PROVIDERS TO SCHOOLS AS A NEW SOURCE OF HEALTHY MEALS. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES HUNGER FREE VERMONT IMPROVES ACCESS TO AND PARTICIPATION IN 3SQUARESVT (KNOWN NATIONALLY AS SNAP) WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE, CONSISTENT, AND DIGNIFIED MEANS TO PREVENT HUNGER IN THE US. SNAP PROVIDES FUNDS ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS CAN USE TO BUY FOOD TO PREPARE AT HOME. HUNGER FREE VERMONT WORKS WITH STATE AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN EVERY VERMONT COUNTY TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE PROGRAM, REMOVE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION, AND TRAIN HUNDREDS OF SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO DO APPLICATION ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE ALL THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE. SINCE HUNGER FREE VERMONT BEGAN WORKING ON IMPROVING ACCESS, PARTICIPATION IN 3SQUARESVT HAS INCREASED BY MORE THAN 80%. OUR STATE IS NOW NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR CONNECTING THOSE AT THE LOWEST INCOME LEVELS TO SNAP. OUR FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES TEAM ALSO WORKS TO EXPAND 3SQUARESVT USE AT FARMERS MARKETS, RAISES PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE VALUE OF 3SQUARESVT, AND ENGAGES PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING THIS BIGGEST FOOD SAFETY NET FROM HARMFUL FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES AND CUTS. THIS PUBLIC AWARENESS AND FEDERAL ADVOCACY WORK WAS PARTICULARLY CRITICAL IN PREVENTING THOUSANDS IN VERMONT FROM BEING CUT OFF FROM SNAP IN EARLY 2020. SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HIT, WE HAVE FOCUSED ON GETTING ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT 3SQUARESVT AND OTHER WAYS TO GET HEALTHY FOOD OUT TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VERMONTERS, INCLUDING THOSE NEWLY UNEMPLOYED WHO HAVE NEVER BEFORE FACED HUNGER. ABENAKI FOOD SECURITY / FOOD SOVEREIGNTY PROJECTS: IN 2020, HUNGER FREE VERMONT BEGAN BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE LEADERS OF THE FOUR STATE- RECOGNIZED ABENAKI TRIBES IN VERMONT, WITH THE GOAL OF SEEKING FUNDING TO DIRECTLY REGRANT TO THE TRIBES FOR THEIR OWN COMMUNITY FOOD SOVEREIGNTY PROJECTS. IN ADDITION, WE ARE WORKING WITH THE TRIBES' COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFITS TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE FEDERAL NUTRITION PROGRAMS THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVED FOOD SECURITY FOR TRIBAL CITIZENS, WHO HAVE THE HIGHEST RATES OF HUNGER AND POOR HEALTH OUTCOMES LINKED TO FOOD INSECURITY OF ANY GROUP IN VERMONT. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4C ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: HUNGER FREE VERMONT RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT HUNGER AND ITS SOLUTIONS AND SUPPORTS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL LEADERS IN TAKING ACTION TO END HUNGER THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THROUGH THE HUNGER COUNCILS OF VERMONT. THE 10 HUNGER COUNCILS ARE MADE UP OF OVER 1,000 LOCAL LEADERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO LEARNING ABOUT HUNGER AND WORKING TO ADDRESS HUNGER IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THE STATE BY COORDINATING EFFORTS AND SHARING INFORMATION.THE HUNGER COUNCILS ALSO RESPOND TO COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ARE A FORUM FOR HIGHLIGHTING AND ADDRESSING EMERGING CHALLENGES IN COMMUNITIES. THE HUNGER COUNCILS BECAME CRITICAL REGIONAL FORUMS FOR PLANNING EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. MOST OF THE COUNCILS MET WEEKLY THROUGHOUT 2020, AND HELPED TO IDENTIFY COMMUNITY FOOD NEEDS, LOCATE AND COORDINATE VOLUNTEERS FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION EFFORTS, AND SHARE LOCAL NEEDS WITH STATE AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES. ADVOCACY INITIATIVES: HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS VERMONT'S PRINCIPAL ANTI- HUNGER AUTHORITY AND LEADING FOOD SECURITY POLICY ADVOCATE. HUNGER FREE VERMONT'S ADVOCACY HAS LED TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, VERMONT BECOMING THE FIRST STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO ELIMINATE REDUCED-PRICE SCHOOL MEALS, QUADRUPLING FUNDING FOR OUR STATE FARM TO SCHOOL AND EARLY CHILDHOOD GRANT PROGRAM, SECURING STATE FUNDING TO INCENTIVIZE LOCAL FOOD PURCHASING BY VERMONT SCHOOLS, AND ENSURING TRANSPARENCY AND STAKEHOLDER INPUT BEFORE ANY STATE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES CAN BE MADE TO THE 3SQUARESVT PROGRAM. HUNGER FREE VERMONT HAS BEEN ASKED TO SHARE OUR ADVOCACY STRATEGIES WITH OTHER ANTI-HUNGER ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND AS A RESULT WE HAVE HELPED MANY OTHER STATES ACHIEVE SOME OF THESE SAME OUTCOMES. IN 2019, HUNGER FREE VERMONT LAUNCHED THE UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS CAMPAIGN, A MULTI- YEAR LEGISLATIVE EFFORT TO BRING SCHOOL MEALS TO ALL VERMONT STUDENTS AT NO COST TO THEIR FAMILIES. IN 2019 AND 2020, WE ALSO LED COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE SNAP PROGRAM FROM HARMFUL RULE CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. HUNGER FREE VERMONT ONGOINGLY ADVOCATES FOR IMPROVED ACCESS TO ALL FEDERALLY FUNDED FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS AND POLICIES THAT SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF VERMONTERS. FOOD AS MEDICINE: HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS ALSO COMMITTED TO BETTER CONNECTING HUNGER AS A SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH WITHIN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY, HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PROVIDERS ABOUT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HUNGER AND HEALTH AND IS IMPLEMENTING FOOD INSECURITY SCREENING AND REFERRAL PROTOCOLS IN MEDICAL SETTINGS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, BOARD CHAIR, AND THE BOARD TREASURER REVIEW THE 990 BEFORE IT IS FILED. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C THE BOARD AND STAFF DISCUSS THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND REVIEW ANY SCENARIO WHICH POTENTIALLY CAUSES A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR STAFF OR BOARD. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONDUCTS AN ANNUAL EVALUATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND DETERMINES IF AN INCREASE IN COMPENSATION IS WARRANTED. FOR 2020, THE BOARD INCREASED THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SALARY BY 2,000 (2.5%), BASED UPON (1) THE SUCCESSFUL FULFILLMENT OF THE OUTCOMES PROMISED TO FUNDERS BY THE ORGANIZATION; (2) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SUCCESS IN ADDRESSING SPECIFIC GROWTH AREAS IDENTIFIED BY THE BOARD IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S PERFORMANCE EVALUATION; (3) AN ANALYSIS OF HUNGER FREE VERMONT'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION COMPARED TO THAT OF COMPARABLE NONPROFITS AS PRESENTED IN THE ANNUAL SURVEY OF NONPROFIT COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS CONDUCTED BY COMMON GOOD VERMONT; AND (4) THE STATE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCES AND REVENUE PLAN OUTLOOK FOR THE RELEVANT CALENDAR YEAR. WHILE THE BOARD DEEMED THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S PERFORMANCE TO HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT IN 2019, AND THE STATE OF HUNGER FREE VERMONT'S FINANCES AT THE END OF 2019 TO HAVE BEEN STRONG AND GROWING, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CONTINUE TO SEEK TO LESSEN THE GAP IN COMPENSATION BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE OTHER DIRECTORS IN THE ORGANIZATION, WHILE STILL KEEPING PACE WITH LOCAL AND REGIONAL TRENDS IN EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC.