[Vision2020] PR - Poverty Forum Scheduled for February 15

Tue Feb 14 13:08:25 PST 2012

City of Moscow
206 E Third Street
Moscow, ID 83843
Contact: Gary J. Riedner, City Supervisor
p     |  208-883-7006
e     |   griedner at ci.moscow.id.us<mailto:griedner at ci.moscow.id.us>
w    |  www.ci.moscow.id.us<http://www.ci.moscow.id.us>

PRESS RELEASE
Poverty Forum Scheduled to Discuss Food Inequality in Resources

February 14, 2012 (Moscow, Idaho) - The Poverty on the Palouse Forum group will meet February 15 at 3 p.m. to discuss food inequality in resources in City Hall Council Chambers, 206 E Third Street.  Area food banks including the Moscow Foodbank, Trinity Baptist Foodbank, Genessee Foodbank, Potlatch Foodbank, Troy Foodbank, Deary Foodbank, Kendrick/Julietta Foodbank, Idaho Foodbank, and Palouse Cares group will be participate in a panel discussion.

The Poverty on the Palouse Forum group (POP) began in December of 2010, when Mayor Nancy Chaney was approached by Steve Bonnar, Executive Director for Sojourners Alliance who broached the subject of poverty on the Palouse. As a result, there was an overwhelming interest in the community from those who both understand and work with the impoverished of our area and those who simply wanted to help and more than 40 citizens joined together for a Poverty on the Palouse (POP) forum, held just days later on December 15, 2010.

Attendees of that forum represented all facets of our community. At the first meeting on December 15, 2010 the group made a compelling case for the depth and breadth of the problem. It was confirmed that poverty exists here and that too often, members lack the resources or awareness to adequately address it. The Idaho Hunger Summit Report was also reviewed by members at that meeting.

At the second meeting on February 20, 2011, the group focused on issues to be addressed and categories for an organizational structure. Improving communications-particularly through a common electronic portal-was identified as a priority to improve access, enhance public awareness, increase efficiency, and minimize unnecessary duplication. Subsequent to the February meeting, a working matrix of gaps and needs was developed.

At the following April 13, 2011 meeting and advisory board was created to allow further work of the Poverty on the Palouse group addressing the gaps and needs previously defined. A review of poverty statistics was also provided at that meeting.

In May 2011, the Moscow League of Women Voters has selected poverty as the focus of a yearlong study. The League has a considerable interest in the area of advocacy and will work with the Poverty on the Palouse Advisory Panel and working group as the project moves forward.

The POP Advisory Board traveled to Lewiston, Idaho to tour a Family Promises Facility Tour on June 28, 2011 to consider it for a model of Moscow and discussions are ongoing regarding the development of a similar program for the Palouse.
Fall of 2011 brought the POP to continue the focus of temporary housing needs and further discuss the organization of the group in November, leading to the scheduling of February 15th meeting.

For more information regarding the Poverty on the Palouse Forum group, please contact Jen Pfiffner, Assistant to the City Supervisor at 208-883-7123 or by email at jpfiffner at ci.moscow.id.us<mailto:jpfiffner at ci.moscow.id.us>

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Story Contact: Jen Pfiffner, Assistant to the City Supervisor
Phone: 208.883.7123
Email: jpfiffner at ci.moscow.id.us<mailto:jpfiffner at ci.moscow.id.us>

The City of Moscow delivers quality municipal services while ensuring responsible use of resources.
We anticipate and meet the needs of our diverse population in order to build public trust and enhance a sense of community.

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