In this issue, we will share an overview of the responses
from the “Service Information” section of the 2017 Partner Agency Survey
Results. If you missed the last issue with the introduction and “Getting to
Know You and Your Program” section of the survey, no need to worry. You can get
caught up here!
The “Service Information” section is filled with a wealth of
valuable information. To be sure we have covered it all, you will find part II
of this section in the Summer 2018 issue of our newsletter. Stay tuned!
Of the 162 agencies
who completed the survey:
Almost a quarter reported being open once a week. Another 18%
of agencies reported being open 2 to 3 times per week.
Of the survey respondents, 38% said patrons can access their
services once per month, while 21% of respondents said patrons can come as
often as they are open. Many respondents indicated “other” and said in addition
to monthly staples, patrons can also come weekly for a produce distribution or
that they are available as needed for patrons.
The winter and fall seasons are the busiest for our partners
with November through January being the busiest.
Three quarters of the agencies are able to track
unduplicated services or their numbers are naturally unduplicated.
Survey respondents reported on frequency of after-hours
requests for food. 33% receive requests once per month or less and 29% said
they receive requests 2 to 3 times per month. The majority of after-hours
requests come in on the weekends.
More than half of agencies who responded to this survey
offer a client choice model. Another 17% offer their patrons a “virtual choice”
with a menu to choose from.
The majority of agencies who
offer pre-boxed or pre-bagged items also offer some types of products where
patrons can take as much as they need. Two thirds of agencies tailor boxes to
household needs based on children, dietary restrictions, etc. and more than
half invite patrons to request items they do not typically receive in their
pre-packed box or bag.
