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The HUB to POD Supply Chain

How to Setup Your Outreach

Truck to Trunk Outreach

FAQ

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Virtual Celebration

Delivering Food
in the “Last Mile of Need”

Feeding Hungry Families Across the U.S. with USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes

We believe God’s answer to a broken world is His Church. We are grateful you have decided to join us in being the hands and feet of Jesus in the “Last Mile of Need.”

Needs Met. Lives Transformed.

Facilitated by CityServe, the Faith-Based Community for Farmers to Families is an expansive network of churches and faith-based organizations across the nation dedicated to serving the “Last Mile of Need” with fresh, nutritious food boxes. The community of over 1,400 HUBs includes World Vision, Citygate Network, The Dream Center Network, Teen Challenge, Mercy Chefs, God’s Pit Crew, Victory Churches, National Baptist Convention, and many other churches and nonprofits.

HUB to POD

Supply Chain

The CityServe distribution model is based on a HUB to POD supply chain.

A CityServe HUB is a church or organization with the capacity to become a Distribution Center of food boxes to local churches, also known as PODs (point of distribution), in its geographical region.

A POD is a local church coordinating with CityServe to receive resources from its assigned HUB to meet the needs of its neighborhood with compassionate giving and relationship building.

Apply to become a CityServe HUB for food box distribution

Frequently Asked

Questions

WHAT IS THE FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY FOR FARMERS TO FAMILIES?

Facilitated by CityServe, the Faith-Based Community for Farmers to Families is an expansive collaborative community of churches and faith-based nonprofits across the United States aimed to deliver USDA Farmers to Families food boxes through the “Last Mile of Need.” This collaborative community mobilizes the local church to serve individuals and families who have fallen between the gaps and have unmet food needs. As of March 2021, over 13.5 million food boxes have been distributed through the Faith-Based Community to feed hungry families living in the “Last Mile of Need.”

Churches and faith-based nonprofits are uniquely positioned to reach people in the “Last Mile of Need” because they are in close relationship with their neighbors and most aware of the needs and specific circumstances in their community. They have the capacity to serve vulnerable seniors, shut-ins, at-risk children, food-insecure families, and the homeless. The Faith-Based Community for Farmers to Families includes many organizations such as CityServe, World Vision, Citygate Network (Gospel Rescue Missions), Teen Challenge, The Dream Centers, 180 Disaster Relief, Operation Border Blessing and a host of churches across the nation.

HOW ARE THE FOOD BOXES DISTRIBUTED TO CHURCHES AND FAITH-BASED NONPROFITS?

The CityServe distribution model is based on a HUB & POD supply chain.

  • A HUB is a church or organization with the capacity and space to be a distribution center of food boxes to local churches, also known as PODs (point of distribution), in its geographical region. HUBs receive Farmers to Families truckloads from USDA-approved suppliers. HUBs can directly serve the “Last Mile of Need” or distribute to PODs.
  • A POD is a local church or nonprofit that receives food boxes from its assigned HUB and meet the needs of its neighborhood with compassionate giving and relationship building.
  • In many instances, we’re developing franchised affiliates across different geographical regions that operate in conjunction with the HUB & POD distribution model.

WHAT WILL I NEED TO BE A SUCCESSFUL HUB?

1. Logistics & Warehouse

  • Forklift and pallet jack for unloading
  • Ability to maintain cold chain through delivery with either one of the following options:
    • Cold blankets or plastics used to cover food boxes from 0-2 hours of leaving HUB
    • Freezer blankets used to cover food boxes in enclosed vehicle or trailer from 2-4 hours of leaving HUB
    • Refrigeration space – on-site refrigerated 53-foot semi-truck (aka, reefers) or large walk-in cooler when unloading/distribution is NOT the same day as acceptance.
    • If utilizing reefers, need the ability to maintain and refuel reefers. Each reefer typically needs to be refueled every 3-4 days with approximately 40-50 gallons. Local fuel companies can be hired to refuel for approximately $2-3/gallon.
  • Ability to certify “means testing” by asking or displaying signage that individuals receiving a food box are deemed needy or food insecure

2. Committed Staff and/or Volunteer Base
Tasks include:

  • Unload truck deliveries with fork-lift into cold storage space or to POD pickup transportation vehicles.
  • Coordinate pickup and/or delivery times with PODs.
  • Manage ongoing communication and coordination of POD churches to ensure the successful distribution of F2F food boxes.
  • Train PODs and provide oversight on the proper distribution model.
  • Enforce safety policies and USDA “means testing” requirements throughout all HUB partners and POD volunteer activities (e.g. physical distancing, utilizing masks at all times, hand washing and sanitizing practices, etc.)

HOW CAN I SHARE STORIES OF IMPACT?

We know there are positive stories of impact at every level of the food box program. Whether it be about farmers, suppliers, families served or anything in between, we want to know so we can share your stories on our CityServe platforms. Go to Share Stories and tell us how God is working. You can also post photo and stories to the socials, @cityservehq #farmerstofamilies

WHAT TYPES OF FOOD ARE IN THE FOOD BOXES?

In each food box will be a combination of a variety of produce (fruits and vegetables depending on region), dairy product, fluid milk, and precooked meat.

HOW LONG WILL THE USDA FARMERS TO FAMILIES FOOD BOX PROGRAM LAST?

We are currently in round five of the program, occurring through April 2021. The first round of the food box program occurred from May 15 through June 30, 2020. The second round occurred from July 1 through September 18, 2020. The third round occurred from September 24 through October 31, 2020. The fourth round occurred from November 1 through December 31. CityServe will keep you up-to-date with USDA announcements and program extensions.

HOW DO I START?

We believe God’s answer to a broken world is His church. We are grateful you have decided to join us in being the hands and feet of Jesus in the “Last Mile of Need.” To sign up as a CityServe HUB, apply today and a CityServe team member will contact you shortly.

Share Stories

Whether it be about farmers, suppliers, families served or anything in between, we want to know what God is doing!

Be sure to share photos and stories of lives impacted on the socials and tag @cityservehq, #farmerstofamilies