Life Begins With A Meal

Alyssa Broekema, Jannette Grenenbergs, Ashlee Knoll, Traci Payne and Devon Zimonick

Fall 2018 NURS 440 OSP Project, Ferris State University

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide the uninsured and underserved

community within the greater Grand Rapids area increased
access to education regarding disease prevention and
management. We strive to promote healthy lifestyle choices
through education and outreach.
Philosophy
As a team of nurses and volunteers, our philosophy is to mentor the
local community, promote healthier nutritional choices, provide
assistance with healthy food sources, and encourage beneficial lifestyle
changes.

We believe we can improve our community by offering compassionate

care to all clients as well as educational opportunities that inspire others
to make healthier choices.

We will offer the necessary tools and resources to make informed

health decisions to decrease the risk for health problems due to lack of
appropriate diet selection and availability.
Need for Services
Nationally, in 2017, 11.8% of households were food insecure (United States
Department of Agriculture, 2018, para. 2).

Despite numerous food pantries and meal programs, in 2017 “...more than
one in five Kent County residents (20.7%) reported they were not always
able to buy or receive all the healthy food needed to feed their families”
(Kent County Health Department, n.d., p. 5).

Food insecurity and a lack of education regarding healthy food and lifestyle
choices can be directly related to obesity and poor nutrition. Obesity and
poor nutrition can have a significant impact on one’s health and increase the
risks for “many serious diseases and health conditions…” (Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 2018, para. 17).
Needs Assessment
External Factors:
As of July 2018, the greater Grand Rapids
area has three Medically Underserved Area
designations (Health Resources & Services
Administration, 2018).
In Grand Rapids, 25.1% of the population
lives below the national poverty level
(United States Census Bureau, n.d.,
Poverty), and 7.6% self report having no
medical insurance (Kent County Health
Department, n.d., p. 26).
The 2017 VoiceKent survey demonstrated
that obesity and poor nutrition were among
the top concerns for the community (Kent
County Health Department, n.d.).
Internal Factors:
According to those polled for the 2017
VoiceKent survey, 22.9% stated they could
not afford healthcare and 15.2% could not
afford adequate food to meet basic needs
(Kent County Health Department, n.d., p.
38).
“Obesity among Kent County adults
increased from 27.6% in 2014 to 34.1% in
2017” (Kent County Health Department,
n.d., p. 5).
Currently, there is a lack of educational
programs in the area explaining healthy
dietary options and resources available for
the underserved community.
Organizational Goals
Ensure educational programs that explain healthy eating options are
available for the underserved community.

Work with the resources available to meet the needs of the food insecure
community.

Encourage food bank drives that offer healthy options for donation by the
community and provide education and assistance with the drive as
necessary.

Provide education and services based on the needs of the individual as well
as the community.
Organizational Objectives
Education will be provided to the underserved community on how to choose healthy food options which promote
healthier lifestyles at the first meeting with the team.

Clients will be able to share choices they have made since the previous visit and provide areas of success by
the second meeting with the team.

Clients will be assisted with establishing a relationship with available community food sources by the end of their
initial meeting with the team.

Education for ongoing assistance will be provided to clients monthly, and more so upon request.

Mortality and morbidity rates will be reduced by 5% in the greater Grand Rapids underserved communities over
the next ten years.

Clients will maintain a food diary or utilize an app to track their food choices and remain accountable for their
health within the first month of program participation.

To illustrate that available community food sources are capable of providing healthy choices to those they
serve by sharing stories of others that have been successfully assisted within six months of program start. .
 Organizational Chart
Program Director

Site Coordinator Social Worker Food Service

Nurse Manager
Distribution Manager

Nurse Educator Maintenance

Workers Dietitian

Registered Nurses
Chef

Student Nurses Line Cooks

Job Description - Chef

Our program is looking for an experienced chef who is forward-thinking and

passionate about serving others. The chef will be responsible for preparing
meals, kitchen and on-site management, and partnering with the dietician to
develop cost saving, delicious meals that our patrons can make themselves.
Minimum of two years experience as a head chef preferred. Must
demonstrate a knowledge of healthy meal options and effectively
collaborate with our dietician to ensure well balanced meals/menus are
created. Able to be flexible with cooking amenities such as cooking in a
park. Graduation from an accredited culinary program preferred but not
required. If you are passionate about helping and teaching others, we invite
you to apply today.
Job Description - Dietitian
We are in need of a full-time Registered Dietitian with excellent
interpersonal skills to provide nutrition education and counseling to
our patients. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s Degree in
Nutrition, Dietetics or related field. Minimum of two years
experience of performing assessments to create personalized diet
plans based upon individual risk factors and needs. State licensure
as a Registered Dietitian required. You will be expected to
collaborate with a Chef, Nurse Educator, and our Food Services
Distribution Manager to tailor services for a diverse group of
patients with a variety of health issues. If you enjoy empowering
others to make healthy lifestyle decisions, then we would like to
hear from you, please apply today.
Job Description - Site Coordinator
We are currently seeking a Site Coordinator to assist with planning and
coordinating events at various locations to promote and educate healthier
food choices to people within the community. Responsibilities include:
identifying various location sites across the state of Michigan, preparing
sites for opening and closing, and coordinating with the Food Service
Distribution Manager to ensure necessary equipment and supplies are
readily available. Previous work experience with a large scale food
production facility or community service agency is preferred, along with
training in a supervisory role. Knowledge of Microsoft Office and basic
record-keeping skills required as well as timeline/deadline management.
Associate's degree preferred, but not required. Occasional travel required
with reimbursement for mileage provided. If you enjoy working
independently and feel passionate about helping your community, this may
be the perfect job for you.
Job Description - Nurse Educator
We are currently looking for a Nurse Educator in the greater
Grand Rapids area to provide coaching and education to local
underserved communities. The Nurse Educator will collaborate
with a dietician in the Life Begins with a Meal program to assess,
design and implement services based upon the educational needs
of clients, provide advice and instructions to student nurses, and
analyze and document the effectiveness of the educational
program. The Nurse Educator must possess strong clinical
expertise, excellent communication capabilities, creativity, flexibility,
and comprehensive understanding of nursing activities, guidelines
and standard nursing protocols. BSN required, MSN prefered.
Minimum five years experience in related field required. If you enjoy
serving the public, this is the job for you!
 REGISTERED DIETICIAN NEEDED
● THE LIFE BEGINS WITH A MEAL PROGRAM IS in need of a
LIFE BEGINS Registered Dietician with excellent interpersonal skills to provide
WITH A MEAL nutrition education and counseling to our patients.

● Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition, Dietetics or related field and state

licensure as a Registered Dietician required. Minimum of two
years experience performing assessments to create
personalized diet plans based upon individual risk factors
strongly preferred.

Submit Resume To: ● Expected to collaborate with a Chef, Nurse Educator, and our
Food Services Distribution Manager to tailor services for a
Life Begins With A Meal diverse group of patients with a variety of health issues.
PO Box 12345
● Position is full-time with variable hours. Requires local travel.
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
OR email: If you enjoy empowering others to make healthy lifestyle decisions,
lifebeginswithameal@gmail.com then we would like to hear from you, please apply today.

Open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm

Advertising Costs
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:
½ page black & white $3,460, ½ page color $5,370
(Source: http://www.elsmediakits.com/PDF/JournalOfTheAcademyOfNutrition
AndDietetics_ RecruitmentRateCard_US_2018.pdf?id=1542380904)

The Grand Rapids Press Advance Classifieds:

¼ page black & white $1,870.42
(Source: M. Koperski, personal communication, November 12, 2018).

mLive Media Group:

30-day job posting $445
(Source: https://jobs.mlive.com/adminnet/Employer/Marketing/3314)
 Marketing Plan & Costs
Advertisement costs: $8575.42

Our goal is to employ creative marketing techniques by using various advertisement tools to
reach members within the community. We will utilize flyers, newspaper ads, television ads,
and radio campaigns to promote our company’s mission. This will will be made possible
through generous donations, special events, and grants.

Other types of advertising may include a Facebook page, strategic placement of flyers in
public locations (bus stations, community centers, public
Housing, etc.), and on our website
(www.lifebeginswithameal.com).
Budget Proposal
Estimated cost for 1 year = $733,065.42
Operating Expenses:

Salaries $473,110

Employee Health Insurance $34,100

Mileage Reimbursement $2,000

Facilities (Rent, Utilities & Maintenance) $40,280

Office Supplies (posters, printing) $20,000

Advertising $8,575.42

Insurance $20,000

Fundraising $3,000

Programs & Outreach $12,000

Donated Food $120,000

Budget Proposal
Revenue for 1 year: $737,000.00

Revenue:

Donated Food $125,000

Grants and Government Contributions $105,000

Special Events and programs $37,000

Private and Public Donations $400,000

Other Income $35,000

Investment Income $35,000

*Current projected profit is $3,934.58

 Position (FTE) Hourly Wage Annual Wage
Budget Proposal
Program Director $34.43 $71,620

● 11 paid FTEs. Nurse Manager $38.46 $80,000

● Volunteer & Student
participation welcomed & Nurse Educator $35.21 $73,239
encouraged.
Registered Nurse $33.65 $70,000

Benefits Site Coordinator $30.82 $64,100

● Three weeks paid vacation
time for all full-time Maintenance Worker $18.11 $37,670
employees.
Social Worker $23.07 $47,980
● Vision, dental, and medical
plans available Food Distribution Manager $25 $52,030
● 401k
● Mileage reimbursement Dietician $28.56 $59,410
provided for travel up to
$0.57 per mile. Chef $22.09 $45,950

Line Cook $11.52 $23,970

References
Atlanta Community Food Bank. (2017). Feeding a greater atlanta. Retrieved from
https://www.acfb.org/sites/default/files/Annual_Report_FY_2016_2017.pdf?_ga=2.226176862.574518265.15
42449167-892461182.1542449167

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Overweight & Obesity. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/causes.html

Christopher, A. S., McCormick, D., Woolhandler, S., Himmelstein, D. U., Bor, D. H., & Wilper, A. P. (2016). Access to care
and chronic disease outcomes among medicaid-insured persons versus the uninsured. American Journal of Public
Health, 106(1), 63-69. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.ferris.edu/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302925

Georgia State University. (2014. Food pantry initiative business plan. Department of Nutrition. Retrieved from
https://melissavigdor.weebly.com/uploads/2/3/4/2/23420758/businessplan_02-04-2014_final.pdf

Health Resources & Services Administration. (n.d.). MUA Find.. Retrieved from http://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-
area/mua-find

Kent County Health Department (n.d.). Kent County Community Needs Assessment 2017. Retrieved from
https://accesskent.com/Health/pdf/2017KC_CHNA.pdf
References

2017 Median Pay. (2018, April 13). Retrieved November 14, 2018, from
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm

United States Census Bureau. (n.d.). Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS) American FactFinder. Retrieved
from https://factfinder.census.gov/faces /nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml

United States Department of Agriculture. (2018). Key Statistics & Graphics. Retrieved from
https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/ key-statistics-
graphics.aspx# verylow