HARVEST ONE

Program Title: Harvest One (H1): Delivering Nutritious Food to Families in Need

Opportunity Number: H1-AL-JC-2025

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Agency Name: RESCUES ON85TH

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Program Purpose:
The Harvest One (H1) program addresses food insecurity in vulnerable households by providing essential grocery items directly to families who struggle with access to nutritious food. Through our partnership with DoorDash and Dashmark, Harvest One ensures that high-quality food reaches those who need it most, alleviating financial strain and promoting household well-being. This innovative program recognizes the importance of providing for both human and animal needs in vulnerable households.

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Program Overview

Tackling Food Insecurity:
Households experiencing financial hardship often struggle to provide adequate food for themselves, let alone for their companion animals. By offering a supplemental food program for families, H1 reduces these pressures, allowing families to redirect limited resources to meet their own nutritional and financial needs. The program provides essential grocery items such as fresh produce, dairy, grains, and pantry staples, ensuring participants can meet their dietary needs without compromising on other household expenses.

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Addressing Vulnerable Populations:
The program specifically targets households at heightened risk of food insecurity, including:

Low-Income Families: Those struggling to meet basic needs.
Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities: Households where companion animals provide emotional and therapeutic support.

Elderly Individuals: Seniors who rely on companion animals for emotional connection and routine.
Survivors of Domestic Violence: Families rebuilding their lives with the support of companion animals.

Holistic Approach to Well-Being:
By ensuring families receive proper nutrition, H1 supports both physical and emotional health, which contributes to improved mental well-being, reduced stress, and increased resilience in the face of financial challenges.

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Financial Relief for Households:
The program alleviates food insecurity by reducing the financial burden associated with purchasing nutritious food. This enables households to allocate more resources to essential expenses, such as:

Utilities and housing costs.
Prescription medications and healthcare.
Transportation and job-related needs.

Eligibility Requirements

Demonstrated Financial Hardship: Households must show evidence of low income, unemployment, or other factors contributing to food insecurity.
Responsible Animal Care Practices: Participants must commit to maintaining the health and well-being of their companion animals, including spaying/neutering and vaccinations.
Geographical Service Area: Applicants must reside within Jefferson County, Alabama.

Application Documentation: Required materials include proof of financial hardship, household information, and details/photos of companion animals.

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Application Process

Step 1: Complete an application online through the RESCUES ON85TH website or by contacting the program office directly.
Step 2: Provide verification of household income and companion animal ownership, including photos and estimated birthdates.
Step 3: Commit to program requirements, including maintaining responsible animal care and adhering to program guidelines.

Program Benefits

Improved Household Nutrition: Ensures families can focus on their own nutritional needs without compromising the care of their companion animals.
Strengthened Family Stability: Reduces financial strain, enabling families to meet critical needs like housing and healthcare.
Enhanced Mental and Emotional Health: Sustains the bonds between families and their companion animals, which are vital for emotional resilience.
Expanded Access: A mobile food pantry and delivery service address transportation barriers for families in Jefferson County, Alabama.

Food Insecurity Impact
The Harvest One (H1) program uniquely addresses food insecurity by:

Reducing the need for families to share their own food with animals.

Filling gaps in existing food assistance programs, which often exclude companion animal needs.
Supporting vulnerable populations who depend on companion animals for emotional and medical well-being.
This approach ensures no member of the household—human or animal—is left behind, fostering healthier, more stable communities.