Recently I met with an MBA class from UNO: bright, young leaders who were interested in non-profit leadership and what Food Bank for the Heartland was doing. After giving them my somewhat standard “Food Bank 101,” we moved to the much more interesting question and answer period. They wanted to know our values, our plans, our funding, our vision and our philosophy. They wanted to know how we used our resources and how we monitored our behavior in terms of ethics and accountability. They wanted to know how we knew we were making a difference. God love them: they were asking all the right questions, and I want to share our answers with you.

What should this Food Bank do to make the most difference during this challenging economic time? To help focus our efforts, the Food Bank board of directors approved four strategic goals for the next three years:

• We will be the top of mind agency that people think of and work with in an effort to eliminate hunger in Nebraska and western Iowa;
• We will increase distribution of nutritious food to our underserved communities;
• We will operate in a fiscally responsible and transparent manner;
• We will serve as a best practice model for other not-for-profit organizations.

In achieving these goals, our team has subscribed to four values that define all aspects of our work stating, “We will do all things in a spirit of service, respect, integrity and urgency.”

How will we remain transparent and accountable while ensuring those goals are met?

• By opening our doors and inviting you to learn about us, question us and partner with us;
• By sharing data and stories and faces that tell the story of hunger in our community;
• By honoring the wishes and exceeding the expectations of our investors and donors;
• By genuinely listening to concerns and suggestions from all of our stakeholders;
• And by never being satisfied until we are sure no child is going to bed hungry and no parent is having to choose between food or clothing or shelter for that child.

Eliminating hunger in Nebraska and Iowa can be done. Because of you we have the resources, and we have the will. Thank you for joining us in this mission!

Susan Ogborn
President & CEO