World Hunger Ecumenical Arizona Task Force Inc

THE MISSION OF WHEAT IS TO EDUCATE, ADVOCATE, ENGAGE AND EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO ACTION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER AND POVERTY. WHEAT'S MAJOR EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDE HAND TO HAND, A FAIR TRADE INITIATIVE, THE CLOTHES SILO AND MANAGEMENT TRAINING & MENTORING.

WHEAT'S EDUCATION PROGRAMS PROVIDE AWARENESS, ONGOING TRAINING AND TOOLS FOR ACTION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER INCLUDING WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS, SKILL BUILDING. PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE NORMA JOHANSEN HUNGER LIBRARY PROVIDING RESOURCES OF ALL KINDS, FREE OF CHARGE, FOR BOOK DISCUSSIONS, YOUTH MOTIVATION, TEACHING AND MORE. WHEAT'S TRAINING AND MENTORING PROGRAM PROVIDES HIGH LEVEL TRAINING, INCLUDING ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, WORKSHOPS, PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED. THIS JOB TRAININGS GIVES THE PARTICIPANTS MARKETABLE SKILLS TO BECOME GAINFULLY EMPLOYED. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES ICAN YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS, PROVIDING MENTORS TO YOUTH AT RISK, WHILE RECEIVING JOB EXPERIENCE, WORKSHOPS ON CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. RECIPIENTS ARE LOW INCOME ARIZONA RESIDENTS. WHEAT ALSO PROVIDES SNAP OUTREACH AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS STAFFING THE EFSP NATIONAL PROGRAM IN ARIZONA.

WHEAT'S CLOTHES SILO PROVIDES FREE, PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING TO PEOPLE IN NEED WHO ARE ENTERING OR RE-ENTERING THE WORKFORCE. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES CLOTHING, AS WELL AS PERSONAL SHOPPERS WHO GIVE THE CLIENTS SPECIAL ATTENTION TO FIND JUST THE RIGHT OUTFIT FOR THE JOB INTERVIEW OR FIRST DAY ON THE JOB. THE PROGRAMS, STARTED IN 1985, ALSO PROVIDE SPECIAL NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AND ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR CLIENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE CLOTHING IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR MUCH-REDUCED, AFFORDABLE PRICES TO THE PUBLIC TO SUPPORT THE EXPENSES ASSOCIATE WITH THE PROGRAM AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE A GREAT SOURCE OF PROFESSIONAL WEAR FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LITTLE EXTRA TO SPEND ON ATTIRE OR WHO ARE THE KEEN ON SAVING DOLLARS WHILE SUPPORTING A GREAT CAUSE AND GETTING WONDERFUL CAREER WEAR. RECIPIENTS OF FREE SERVICES ARE LOW INCOME ARIZONA RESIDENTS REFERRED THROUGH PARTNER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES; CUSTOMERS COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE INCLUDING DISCERNING SHOPPERS.

THE HAND TO HAND PROJECT, A FAIR TRADE INITIATIVE, IS ANOTHER OF WHEAT'S MAJOR EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS. IT INCLUDES THE FAIR TRADE STORE, MAKING FAIRLY TRADED GIFTS AND GOODS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH PURCHASE WHILE HELPING THE ARTISANS AND FARMERS, LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY, BECOME SELF SUSTAINING, ABLE TO FEED, CLOTHE, SHELTER AND EDUCATE THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. FAIR TRADE IS A VERY SUCCESSFUL AND POSITIVE WAY TO FIGHT HUNGER AND POVERTY, WORLDWIDE.