Phase I:
Problem solution mapping
The Proposal
Food Insecurity Causes
Increased cost of living:
Rent and property prices have increased 86.25 in Huntsville between 2014 and 2022
Food costs have risen by up to 219% between 2019 and 2025
SNAP benefits have not kept up with inflation and only allow for $2.05 per meal per person when receiving maximum assistance
Population changes:
17.9% or 6.5million households with children experienced food insecurity in most recent census (2023) but projected to increase year over year in the next 10 years
13.7% of Huntsville residents had an income below the poverty line in 2023
Estimates vary widely but is projected that 30-78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck
Local Resources
Multiple Food pantries
Multiple soup kitchens
Constraints/eligibility determination:
Proof of residency
(lease, utility bill, etc)
Length of residency
(average 1 year)
Government issued photo ID
Attestation to need
(130%-200% below poverty line, legally binding)
Limited access
(As often as once per month to as little as once per year)
Groups excluded
Residency and length of residency: Non-residents, recent transplants, renters not on lease, persons without housing, hotel dwelling households
Persons unable to obtain government issued photo ID:
See above as primary impact; transportation issues, disabled, non-driver, loss of access to documents, inability to afford renewal
Attestation: does not account for transient food insecurity with various causes such as change in employment status, changes in financial status, overall changes in life circumstances, etc
Access:
Severely limited hours of operation and frequency of use
Privately funded and owned food pantry. While this limits accessibility to government funding and supplemental food supply chains, this allows for barriers to access removal. Intention to file for 501(c)(3) designating as non-profit to create accountability and transparency for all funds.
Solution:
Phase II:
Building Foundations
Item of action
Begin constructing framework of needs
Establish legally binding paperwork for FEIN
File for Federal Employment Identification Number
Establish Website
Phase III:
Building Foundations (pt. 2)
We’re here
Item of action
File for 501(c)(3)
Consult with non-profit specialized firms for 501(c)(3) filing
(Preliminary consultations scheduled with 3 firms)
Select partner firm
Fundraising License (AL)
Phase IV:
Get moving
Item of action
Able to process held donations
Apply for grants
Begin awareness campaign
Begin official fundraising efforts
Phase V:
Finding Community
Engage with local realtor
Space must meet USDA standards for food safety, ideal location near I-565 exit, initial location for non-perishable items only, minimal modifications needed