about the bridge.
board of directors
meeting minutes.
The Bridge Community Pantry
Minutes of the Board of Directors
April 11, 2017
Members Present: Rich McCrady, Dorvin Wendt, Mark Murdock, Fred Lehmkuhl, Tina Rasmussen, Deb Blickenstaff, Cindy Olson, Liz Swanson
Members Absent: Jason Smith, Ehren Zimmerman
Non-Members Present: John Leikness, Executive Director, Chris Wasche, Assistant Director
Meeting called to Order at 3:59 by Board Chair Rich McCrady.
Prayer led by Rich.
Fred requested that Blue tubs be added to the agenda.
Minutes of March Meeting: Motion made by Mark to accept the March minutes as presented. Second by Liz. Motion carried.
Financials: Mark and John reported that $5,000 was owed back to the building fund. Proposing another $10,000 be moved to the building fund.
March campaign donations $52,853. Extremely good year, up over last year. Matching funds will come in August.
Motion by Mark to transfer 15,000 to building fund (5,000 to pay back what was borrowed from last year, $10,000 from KLN donation). Second by Fred. Motion carried.
Executive Director’s Report: John presented statistics for 1st quarter.
Family size has increased 28% over 2016. Seniors being the highest percent.
Distribution up. Donated pounds up.
March campaign – flat over that last 4 years, but significant increase this year.
Number of new visits is very consistent.
Update given on Mobile Food Pantry *13 new mobile clients!!
Rich requested that the number of clients be added to the visits chart. John agreed to look at a way of adding this information.
Committee Reports:
a. Public Relations/Marketing: Radio ad is very difficult to measure. Supports other marketing.
Rich looking for volunteers to work on a 12-month marketing plan. Please email him if willing to help.
Cindy will meet with John to look at making sure there is mass communication for the food drops.
Rich will talk to the grocery store owners to make sure we are not stepping on toes.
b. Facilities: Bremer grant for $200,000 is completed. Due midnight tonight. Will hear mid-August.
c. Outreach: Jason and Ehren are co-chairmen of the Outreach Committee. They will schedule a meeting to look at Outreach goals. Other committee members are Tina, Deb, Cindy and Liz.
Rich stated that Rob Nelson’s committee from Calvary was wanting information about the Bridge. Cindy will follow up.
d. Human Resources/operations: no committee members at this time. Contact Rich if interested.
New Business:
Fred reported that the blue recycling bins from the City could have Bridge Pantry name put on the side for $5-10/sticker. They would be put in the grocery stores and churches as well as used at the Bridge.
Fred motioned to purchase 10 vinyl sides. Second by Dorvin. Motion carried.
Fred reported that the Bridge could lease the ground for the new building from the City to put the building on. The City would like to see floor plans. City is looking to put a hockey arena with warming house and restrooms in the adjacent area.
The concern is that the Bridge would turn in to parking area for the rink.
Discussion held about the new building size and functionality. Rich posed the question as to how else the building could be used??
Tina suggested that all volunteers wear t-shirts with the Bridge logo. Tina will discuss it with the current volunteers and gain their perspective.
Chamber event – John and Chris will be the recipients of the award. Joan Kaelberer will present the award.
John proposed that we look at replacing our current database to improve support and eliminate manual reporting. John talked with other pantries about their data collection where their new databases cost between $4000-$5000. Mark has a development contact by the name of Jerry Pyles that can help with the evaluation. John will do some more investigation along with Mark and make a proposal to the Board in the near future.
Fred asked if the Bridge would like a donation of a ¾ ton truck to pull mobile pantry. We would need to insure it. No longer needed by the City July 1st. Discussion was favorable..
Rich requested that poundage from Ruby’s Pantry be reported. Dorvin suggested that a thank you be sent to Ruby’s Pantry for their donations. John took the action to provide the report and send a thank you.
Next meeting: Wednesday, July 11th at 4:00 at the Bridge.
Meeting adjourned by Rich at 5:09.
Minutes submitted by Liz Swanson
Minutes of the Board of Directors
April 11, 2017
Members Present: Rich McCrady, Dorvin Wendt, Mark Murdock, Fred Lehmkuhl, Tina Rasmussen, Deb Blickenstaff, Cindy Olson, Liz Swanson
Members Absent: Jason Smith, Ehren Zimmerman
Non-Members Present: John Leikness, Executive Director, Chris Wasche, Assistant Director
Meeting called to Order at 3:59 by Board Chair Rich McCrady.
Prayer led by Rich.
Fred requested that Blue tubs be added to the agenda.
Minutes of March Meeting: Motion made by Mark to accept the March minutes as presented. Second by Liz. Motion carried.
Financials: Mark and John reported that $5,000 was owed back to the building fund. Proposing another $10,000 be moved to the building fund.
March campaign donations $52,853. Extremely good year, up over last year. Matching funds will come in August.
Motion by Mark to transfer 15,000 to building fund (5,000 to pay back what was borrowed from last year, $10,000 from KLN donation). Second by Fred. Motion carried.
Executive Director’s Report: John presented statistics for 1st quarter.
Family size has increased 28% over 2016. Seniors being the highest percent.
Distribution up. Donated pounds up.
March campaign – flat over that last 4 years, but significant increase this year.
Number of new visits is very consistent.
Update given on Mobile Food Pantry *13 new mobile clients!!
Rich requested that the number of clients be added to the visits chart. John agreed to look at a way of adding this information.
Committee Reports:
a. Public Relations/Marketing: Radio ad is very difficult to measure. Supports other marketing.
Rich looking for volunteers to work on a 12-month marketing plan. Please email him if willing to help.
Cindy will meet with John to look at making sure there is mass communication for the food drops.
Rich will talk to the grocery store owners to make sure we are not stepping on toes.
b. Facilities: Bremer grant for $200,000 is completed. Due midnight tonight. Will hear mid-August.
c. Outreach: Jason and Ehren are co-chairmen of the Outreach Committee. They will schedule a meeting to look at Outreach goals. Other committee members are Tina, Deb, Cindy and Liz.
Rich stated that Rob Nelson’s committee from Calvary was wanting information about the Bridge. Cindy will follow up.
d. Human Resources/operations: no committee members at this time. Contact Rich if interested.
New Business:
Fred reported that the blue recycling bins from the City could have Bridge Pantry name put on the side for $5-10/sticker. They would be put in the grocery stores and churches as well as used at the Bridge.
Fred motioned to purchase 10 vinyl sides. Second by Dorvin. Motion carried.
Fred reported that the Bridge could lease the ground for the new building from the City to put the building on. The City would like to see floor plans. City is looking to put a hockey arena with warming house and restrooms in the adjacent area.
The concern is that the Bridge would turn in to parking area for the rink.
Discussion held about the new building size and functionality. Rich posed the question as to how else the building could be used??
Tina suggested that all volunteers wear t-shirts with the Bridge logo. Tina will discuss it with the current volunteers and gain their perspective.
Chamber event – John and Chris will be the recipients of the award. Joan Kaelberer will present the award.
John proposed that we look at replacing our current database to improve support and eliminate manual reporting. John talked with other pantries about their data collection where their new databases cost between $4000-$5000. Mark has a development contact by the name of Jerry Pyles that can help with the evaluation. John will do some more investigation along with Mark and make a proposal to the Board in the near future.
Fred asked if the Bridge would like a donation of a ¾ ton truck to pull mobile pantry. We would need to insure it. No longer needed by the City July 1st. Discussion was favorable..
Rich requested that poundage from Ruby’s Pantry be reported. Dorvin suggested that a thank you be sent to Ruby’s Pantry for their donations. John took the action to provide the report and send a thank you.
Next meeting: Wednesday, July 11th at 4:00 at the Bridge.
Meeting adjourned by Rich at 5:09.
Minutes submitted by Liz Swanson
