Each time the Emergency Foodshelf Network (EFN) delivers food and essential support services to foodshelves, on-site meal programs and other hunger relief programs in our network, these programs save hundreds of dollars in staff resources and transportation-related expenses (such as vehicles, gasoline, and upkeep/maintenance costs).
Over the course of a year, EFN collectively saves its network hundreds of thousands of dollars and enables them to more efficiently focus on its goal to distribute food directly to clients. Individual foodshelves are often staffed with volunteers, and they do not have the time or resources to pick up food from EFN.
Transportation is an ever-present, expensive cost for area foodshelves and programs. Through its own efficiencies, EFN is able to offer this service in support of its network. Members in the EFN network are eligible to receive free deliveries and also have the option to pick up foods from the EFN warehouse.
EFN’s ability to transport large amounts of food and coordinate deliveries on behalf of its network is a shining example of what collaboration means inside our organization. In total, EFN logged over 100,000 miles last year in support of the members in its network.
EFN’s fleet consists of five trucks, including three straight trucks, one small box truck and one large panel van. Many of the vehicles have either been donated or purchased with grant money. This small fleet covers a large area, from Twin Cities metro area foodshelves to Fare for All sites in St. Cloud and Brainerd.
In 2006, EFN saved agencies $275,000 in transportation/delivery services.