
The meeting started by discussing the need for a comprehensive needs assessment and whether the organizations present would have the bandwidth to take on such a project. Participants expressed concerns about current constraints such as limited resources and competing priorities that hinder their ability to conduct these assessments.
The group explored strategies to increase the utilization of their current programs for seniors. Discussion addressed the stigma associated with using services and suggested leveraging the United States Postal Service for direct mail outreach. They discussed creating a handout that lists food resources and forming a task force to promote senior food-based programs.
The conversation also covered the logistics of designing and distributing mailers, including the need for a graphic designer and considerations for accessibility, particularly for older adults. The meeting concluded with plans for a joint outreach effort to streamline information about food programs. Stanwood-Camano Food Bank, Lincoln Hill Retirement Community, and Camano Center will convene with the intent of producing a mailer, social media marketing, and newspaper/Crab Cracker advertisement specifically highlighting these organization's food-based programs and asking for input from Homage and Island County Senior Resources for information about the Meals on Wheels programs.
The smaller workgroup will send updates to the Steering Committee in order to update the Partners and the community on the progress.