Agency Partner FAQs

Tax laws allow Dare to Care Food Bank to build partnerships with nonprofit organizations, eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions, under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), and churches. All organizations that apply for partnership with Dare to Care must provide proof of one of the following:

Copy of IRS Determination Letter which states your organization is 501(c)(3) tax exempt, or
Copy of IRS Determination Letter from denominational headquarters and a letter stating that the church applying for partnership is in good standing and that the denomination has not been denied a 501(c)(3), or
Completed 14-Point IRS Church Qualifier form with required documentation. Religious organizations that do not have an EIN and do not belong to a denomination may still qualify for membership if they meet certain established criteria, but the ultimate determination will be made by Dare to Care staff.

Dare to Care’s service area covers thirteen counties: eight are in Kentucky and five are in Indiana. Dare to Care strives to strategically develop a network of partners within its service area to ensure efficient service to those in need.

Dare to Care’s Application Committee considers the following when an organization applies for partnership with Dare to Care:

• Nonprofit status of the organization
• Location of the organization
• Mission of the organization
• Populations served by the organization
• Availability of resources
• Storage capacity and food safety
• Capacity to secure additional food and fund streams
• Operational and organizational capacity (e.g., frequency of distributions, number of volunteers)
• Length and strength of established community presence and support
• Sustainability

• Food pantries: are partners that distribute food for consumption off-site or at home. Pantries make up the majority of the Dare to Care network. Food pantries who partner with Dare to Care may employ their own distribution model (e.g., in-person shopping, drive-thru, deliveries, order ahead).
• Kitchens: are partners that are approved to prepare food for neighbors to consume on-site or to go. All kitchen partners must be inspected by the county health department and at least one staff member must be trained in an advanced food safety course (i.e., ServSafe Food Manager).
• Shelters and Residential Facilities: are partners that provide shelter and/or services and serves one or more meals a day like an in-patient program.
• Closed Network: are partners (food pantries, kitchens, shelters, or residential facilities) that provide food to a specific population and are not open to the public.
• Open Network: are partners (food pantries, kitchens, shelters, or residential facilities) that provide food to the public. Dare to Care encourages all partners to serve without boundaries.

Agency Partners distribute food to those in need of food assistance. In every case, all food must be provided free of charge. Additionally, food must only be used for the purpose of the program for which the organization applied. Some additional requirements include (but are not limited to):

• Operate food distribution at least one day a month for a minimum of 90 minutes
• Place food orders with Dare to Care at least once every 30 days to remain active
• Pick up all orders from the Dare to Care warehouse in Fern Valley
• Attend Dare to Care’s Onboarding Training*
• Attend Dare to Care’s Food Safety Training once every two years*
• Have a current health inspection and food safety certificate from the county health department if preparing meals on-site
• Record statistics and report them to Dare to Care monthly
• Have at least one working email that is checked regularly as well access to internet.
• Maintain records for 3 years plus the current year

Agency Partners may not:

• Engage in discrimination in the provision of service against any person because of race, color, citizenship, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity or expression, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran, or as otherwise prohibited under the current USDA nondiscrimination statement.
• Proselytize or attach any religious materials to food distributions.

Agency Partners may pick-up a food bank order from Dare to Care once a week. Additionally, Agency Partners may pick-up fresh produce from Dare to Care more often, if needed.

Dare to Care’s application window is currently closed. If you are interested in partnering with Dare to Care in the future, please complete the Agency Partner Interest Form. If you have additional questions, please contact a member of the Partner Development Team.