Monday, February 18, 2013


EASTERN PLAINS COMMUNITY PANTRY
Minutes for meeting of February 4, 2013
The EPCP meeting opened at 6:00 p.m. at the Calhan United Methodist Church. The following people were in by attendance: Reva Lopez, Shorty Lopez, Cheryl Lopez, Anne Lopez, Robin Lopez, Carlyn Scarpino, Jodee Parks-Doyle, Tom Ramirez, Nancy Rowles, Jean Dunn, Lupie Riley, Joan Lawson, Calvin Jolly, Deb Drew, Sharon Agun, Carl Finney, and Nancy Lutz.
A motion to approve the minutes of 1-21-2013 was made Joan Lawson. Cheryl Lopez seconded the motion and it was approved with a unanimous vote.
A motion to adopt the proposed mission statement was made by Anne Lopez. Sharon Agun seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
Anne Lopez made the motion to approve the contract with corrections for the Coop building. Lupie Riley seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.
The Memorandum of Understanding with Pikes Peak Community Action Agency is still under review by the agency and will be returned to Bob Selle hopefully in mid-February.
A motion to approve the 501c3 application fee was made by Joan Lawson. Carl Finney seconded the motion. The expenditures were approved to the Internal Revenue Service.
Sharon Agun moves to approve the Conflict of Interest Policy. Anne Lopez seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
Joan Lawson provided a Treasurers Report from January 15, 2013 to February 4, 2013, also a list of donors to Reva Lopez for thank-you notes.
 Board members discussed Fundraiser possibilities such as a pig roast, pancake breakfast, and auctions, maybe some possibilities of combining fundraisers with the Calhan Lions Club. Sharon Agun provided the board with information from state programs that we could possibly be eligible for such as economic and rural development grants.
News: We were disappointed to hear we did not get the Musser Grant, but we can apply for others such as, Colorado Health Foundation. The due date for this one is in June.
Sharon Agun has set up a blog—Eastern Plains Community Pantry News—easternplainscommunitypantry.blogspot.com.  This page will have minutes, news and articles of interest.  A FaceBook page and a web site are under development. 
Facility Operations: The board members discussed setting up a work day to clean and move furniture into the coop building before March 1st.
Reva Lopez moved to coordinate the distribution of food commodities through EPCP.  The motion was seconded by Cheryl Lopez.  The board members voted unanimously to take over commodity distribution. Anne Lopez, Cheryl Lopez, and Reva Lopez will be meeting with Dannette from Care and Share on Tuesday, February 12th, to discuss taking over commodities for the EPCP.
Future Agenda Items: Signage and Logo’s for the building, Newspaper articles on the websites, support of media contacts at care and share designated phone number and hours of operation, window installation date, and move in date.
Next Meeting Date: February 18, 2013

Vice President______________________________
Rory Lopez
Secretary____________________________
Reva Lopez

Eastern Plains Community Pantry
Agenda for Monday, February 18, 2013, 6:00 p.m.
Calhan United Methodist Church, 583 Denver Street
Introductions/Sign-in List
Minutes of 2/4/13 Meeting – Reva Lopez
Treasurer’s Report – Joan Lawson
Pantry Coordinator’s Report – Anne Lopez
Building Lease Contract with Calhan Fire District, Corrections – Bob Selle
Memorandum of Understanding with Pikes Peak Community Action Agency
Application for Non Profit Status (501 3 c) with the IRS - Bob Selle
Funding
                Budget Proposal
                Current Commitments, any Additional Commitments?
                Tax Deductable Donations are to be made out to the Calhan United Methodist Church
                Fundraisers
                Grant Opportunities – Colorado Health Foundation, El Pomar and others
Facility Operations
                Move in date Feb. 18th; Schedule Moving Date
                Utilities – Propane, Electricity, Sewer & Water, Trash, Telephone, Mail Service
                Insurance Requests to; Pieper and Sons, Gordon and Colorado Non-Profit
                March 1st Grand Opening Date
Food Sources
Official Address; 701 4th Street
Other
Future Agenda Items
Next Meeting – Monday, March 4, 2013 in the EPCP Building

Wednesday, February 6, 2013


Eastern Plains Community Pantry
Progress Report January 31, 2013

     In the summer of 2012, the Pikes Peak Community Action Agency (PPCAA) moved their Calhan office from the old post office building on Colorado Avenue to a much smaller office on the El Paso County Fairgrounds.  A food bank operation shared the old post office building with the PPCAA office.  The smaller facility on the fairgrounds could not accommodate the food bank and it was closed.  A group of concerned citizens began meeting in August of 2012 with the intent of starting a food bank based on the need demonstrated by the previous bank.  The following is a list of accomplishments to date:

·         The name of the group is “Eastern Plains Community Pantry” (EPCP).

·         A set of By-laws have been adopted.

·         EPCP is a registered nonprofit corporation with the State of Colorado (12/19/12).

·         EPCP is a registered “Community or Volunteer Group” with the Internal Revenue Service (1/7/13).

·         Fifteen directors have been approved by the membership.

·         Officers have been elected; President - Bob Selle, Vice President - Shorty Lopez, Secretary - Reva Lopez, Treasurer - Joan Lawson, Public Relations Coordinator - Sharon Agun, Pantry Volunteer Coordinator – Anne Lopez.

·         The Pikes Peak Community Action Agency agreed to be the nonprofit sponsoring agency for EPCP until the Pantry can get its own 501 c 3 nonprofit status with the IRS.  A memorandum of understanding has been drafted and is under legal review at this date.

·         We are in the process applying for grants and securing sources for food donations.   A bank account was opened at Farmers State Bank.  We have already received many very generous donations, both from individuals and from local civic and religious organizations.  Donations may be made through local churches or other nonprofits if a tax deduction is desired.  Persons wishing to volunteer time should contact Sharon Agun, 719 347-2870, or Bob Selle, 719 347-2873 and we will put you in touch with our Pantry Volunteer Coordinator, Anne Lopez.

·         A contract for the lease of the former Coop Store has been drafted between the Calhan Fire District and EPCP.  The contact is subject to approval by the boards of both organizations.  At this time we are awaiting the completion of some building renovations, but we anticipate a move-in in the last week of February and an opening date of March 1, 2012.

·         The Board of Directors adopted a mission statement (see bottom of this page).

·         Two EPCP members are working on a Colorado Health Foundation Grant.

·         The current membership of EPCP is 40 members.

·         Meeting dates for EPCP are the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at the Calhan United Methodist Church, 6:00 p.m.  All interested persons are invited to attend.  There is no need to call to let us know you will be attending, just come on in.

Mission Statement:

Eastern Plains Community Pantry will encourage, support, and enhance the quality of life of community members by assisting with food distribution, living necessities, and other resources for everyone with respect and dignity, and without judgment and prejudice. 

Friday, February 1, 2013

The EPCP will hold its next meeting on Monday, 4 February 2013.  The proposed opening date for our food pantry is approaching soon.  We invite all interested people to come and be a part of this exciting community project.  We will be meeting at the Calhan United Methodist Church at 6:00 pm.
The Eastern Plains Community Pantry will encourage, support and enhance the quality of life of community members by assisting with food distribution, living necessities and other resources for everyone with respect and dignity and without judgement or prejudice.