Veap Inc.

“The 990 is first sent to the finance committee for review. After approval, the return is sent to the Board of Directors for their review and approval prior to submission to the Internal Revenue Service.”

“The Board of Directors and staff of the organization complete a conflict of interest document annually. An actual or potential conflict of interest includes a relationship or transaction that may provide gain or benefit to a director, officer, or employee of VEAP or an affiliated person of such person at the expense of or to the disadvantage of VEAP, or that may affect a director's, officer's, or employee's objective judgment regarding what is in the best interest of VEAP. Directors, officers, and employees must avoid any activities, interests, or relationships that would interfere with their ability to act in the best interests of VEAP. It is the policy of VEAP that the existence of any of the interests shall be disclosed before any transaction is concluded. It shall be the continuing responsibility of the directors, officers, and employees of VEAP to scrutinize their transactions and outside business interests and relationships for potential conflicts and to immediately make such disclosures. Upon knowledge of interest or potential interest, the interested person is expected to disclose the interest and abstain from the decision pending and remove themselves from any action that would influence the situation.”

“Compensation for all VEAP paid staff will be reviewed and approved annually in the following manner: 1. A Compensation Committee comprised entirely of independent directors is appointed by the Board of Directors. 2. The Compensation Committee will meet with the CEO and develop and approve a proposed budget for total compensation (including benefits) for all paid staff for the upcoming year. The Compensation Committee will also approve, without the involvement of the CEO, the compensation to be provided to the CEO for the upcoming year as part of the total compensation budget. In addition, the Compensation Committee will approve the specific salaries of all employees as recommended by the Executive Committee. The amount of the budget and the amount of the CEO's compensation will be based on a review of compensation for similar positions at similar organizations using the Bi-annual Minnesota Nonprofit Salary and Benefits Survey. 3. The Compensation Committee will recommend approval of the proposed compensation budget, including the CEO's compensation, to the Executive Committee. The recommended budget will include salary recommendations for all paid positions within VEAP. 4. The Executive Committee will review and recommend approval by the Board of Directors of the compensation budget for the upcoming year, and will provide the Board with a summary of the payroll and salary package. 5. The compensation budget will be approved by the Board.”

“Governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements are available upon request.”

“Food Program - VEAP's Food Program includes a Food Pantry, Summer Youth Food, Student Hunger Collaborative, Special Needs Food Services, Emergency Food Packs, Holiday Hot Meals for seniors and nutrition education and cooking classes. VEAP's Food Programs provide access to healthy foods to nearly 10,000 low-income individuals on a monthly basis. VEAP's food pantry operates under a client choice model meaning clients are able to select the food they know their family can use. Fresh fruits and vegetables as well as shelf-stable and cultural foods are available. In 2015, there were 120,023 visits to VEAP food programs and 3.5 million pounds of food was distributed of which, 40% was fresh fruits and vegetables. In early 2015, VEAP adopted a Healthy Foods Policy affirming our commitment to providing high quality and nutritious food to our neighbors in need. VEAP emphasizes collecting and distributing fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain products, foods low in saturated and trans fats and sodium, lean sources of protein, minimally processed fruits and vegetables and 100% fruit juices. VEAP's Summer Youth Food program provides nutritious, kid-friendly, breakfast and lunch groceries to support low-income families that participate in the free- and reduced-price meal programs in the schools. The Student Hunger Collaborative provides food for the weekend, during the school year, to students who are determined to be a high risk for having no or little food over the weekend. In 2015, the Summer Youth Food program provided 65,300 meals and 4,194 weekend food packs were provided to students in 13 area schools over 27 weeks. The NEAT program (Nutrition Education and Teaching) cooking and nutrition classes are held in VEAP's state-of-the-art commercial and teaching kitchen. In response to client interest on improving their health and making healthy meals for their families, this innovative program is designed to provide information on healthy food choices and meal planning through nutrition education and skill building, in the context of a limited budget. The commercial kitchen is equipped with eight mobile, multi-purpose and two handicap accessible work stations, which provides an opportunity for clients to get hands-on experience in cooking simple, economical and tasty foods. Additionally, the commercial kitchen allows VEAP to repurpose fresh foods that are at the end of their shelf life. In 2015, 1,920 pounds of bananas were repurposed into over 4,300 loaves of banana bread and made available to VEAP clients.”

“Social services program - the primary goal of veap's social services program is to prevent homelessness and other crises through support, advocacy, referrals and emergency financial assistance that re-stabilize individuals and families in current or new housing. Veap's four licensed social workers provide professional services to individuals and families in need with financial assistance for housing, utilities, car repairs and day care. Clients also receive resources and referrals to other community organizations to help them meet their current needs and put them on the road to stability. Social workers also meet with all new food clients to better understand the situation that precipitated their food emergency. Through the assessment process, clients are connected with other veap programs and community resources to help them regain stability quickly.”

“Children & youth services program - the children and youth program includes two programs that focus on food (see food program) summer youth food, student hunger collaborative, as well as back to school, holiday toys and birthday bag programs. Veap's annual back to school program provides school supplies to help students in grades k-12 start the school year off right with necessary supplies. In 2015, this program provided school supplies to 3,142 students in grade k-12. In december 2015, low-income parents made the holidays more special by selecting and giving toys, books, hats and mittens for 4,246 children.”