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.”

“1) Members of the Human Resources Committee are appointed by the Board of Directors. 2) The CEO works with Human Resource Administration Director (staff position) to develop a staffing proposal indicating salaries and/or wages of each employee along with a personnel budget, which includes a compensation and benefits package for staff for the upcoming year with the exception of the CEO. CEO compensation is established by the Executive Committee annually coinciding with the executive performance evaluation, and presented to the Board of Directors for approval. 3) CEO presents the proposed staffing proposal and personnel budget to the Human Resources Committee for review, discussion and amendments using VEAP's compensation philosophy and the most recent Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Salary and Benefits Survey for reasonability. 4) Human Resources Committee approves and recommends staffing proposal and personnel budget to the Finance Committee for inclusion in the full budget. 5) Finance Committee recommends full budget including the staffing proposal and personnel budget to the Board of Directors for final approval.”

“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 2016, there were over 110,000 visits to VEAP food programs and 3.4 million pounds of food was distributed of which, 52% was fresh fruits and vegetables. 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 in accordance with our Healthy Food Policy. 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 2016, the Summer Youth Food program provided food for 2,927 youth and 6,107 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 2016, 3,827 pounds of bananas were repurposed into over 4,431 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 2016, this program provided school supplies to 2,960 students in grade k-12. In december 2016, low-income parents made the holidays more special by selecting and giving toys, books, hats and mittens for 3,598 children.”