Read a brief history about the Food & Care Coalition and how we became what we are today.
Timeline
See key dates, events, and the many milestones we have reached as an organization.
Awards
View our many awards as a non-profit organization we have earned throughout the years.
Our History
In April 1986, local religious leaders, public officials, and concerned citizens met to address the lack of services available in Utah County for homeless and low-income populations. From these meetings, the idea developed that a new level of support and advocacy was needed to confront this growing community challenge.
The Friends of the Coalition was formed as the solution to the need for more advocacy and program support. In 1988, Friends of the Coalition was incorporated as a 501c(3) non-profit, exempting it from income taxation and qualifying all community donations as tax deductible. The Food & Care Coalition, LLC (or FACC) is wholly owned by Friends of the Coalition and serves as its operational entity, providing programs and services.
With the support of board members and community activists, Friends of the Coalition is an organization that promotes community ownership and sensible compassion for those less fortunate. It also facilitates positive interaction between clients and members of the community in an effort to share common values and lift those who are vulnerable.
Having community volunteers and resources has always been crucial to the agency’s mission. Involvement by community members, a continued discussion on issues, and help in securing resources strengthens the programs, reduces the financial impact on the community, and generates better results with the people who are being served.
In keeping with this strategy, Friends of the Coalition only has a small staff and relies on volunteers to help run each program. This keeps the budget minimal, reinforces community ownership, and helps to find solutions to poverty that are compatible with community expectations and client needs. Our combined religious, cultural, business, and educational foundation in Utah County provides an extremely strong platform to confront the challenge of poverty.
Timeline
The Food & Care Coalition through a lease partnership with Mountainlands Community Health Center, began offering medical services on-site. Services include; medical, dental, substance abuse, counseling and more.
The Coalition opened 38 on-site housing units, the first dedicated units for the homeless in Utah County. Funding and other challenges prevented the agency from opening the housing program in 2009.
Another award is presented to the agency from the Utah State Bar Pro Bono initiative for our involvement in the establishment of an outreach legal clinic for at risk populations.
The State Community Services Office awards the Coalition with the “Innovator of the Year” award for our unique service delivery model and collaborative efforts in creating a 1-stop service system for the homeless.
After more than a year of construction and several financial challenges associated with the economic recession, the Coalition opens a beautiful 36,000 sq. ft. facility in Provo.
Following several years of research and conducting nearly 30 site visits, the agency submits preliminary plans to Provo City and begins a 6.2 million dollar capital campaign to construct a new facility.
The Coalition partners with the Share a Smile Foundation to provide free dental services to the homeless. With the agency’s philosophy in mind, clients are required to bank community service in exchange for service rendered.
After years of working with city planning officials, the agency purchases and renovates its first owned building. Services include; classroom and computer lab and doubles the space from our previous facility – 6000 sq. ft.
The organization pilots a mentor outreach program to the homeless and moves into a renovated facility on Freedom Boulevard in Provo, Increasing the overall service for meals, hygiene, and outreach capacity to clients.
In the fall of 1988 and after being organized by local clergy and community service advocates, the Friends of the Coalition is officially formed as a 501(c)(3) entity and begins serving Utah County’s homeless and low-income populations.
Awards
Distinguished Community Partner Award (2013)
Brent Crane and Nancy Willes accepted the Distinguished Community Agency Award from the Utah State Bar Pro Bono initiative in June. The award was given in honor of the Food & Care Coalition for their involvement in establishing the Timpanogas Legal Center who performs outreach to homeless and low-income persons each month at the Coalition’s new facility in Provo.
Innovator of the Year Award (2011)
The State Homeless Coordinating Committee who oversees the administration and allocation of a number of homeless grants, awarded the Food & Care Coalition with the Innovator of the Year Award. The agency had built a new 36,000 sq.ft. facility in Provo two years prior and had recently completed their transitional housing units. The facility, unique in design and function, is a model of how collaborative partnerships “can make the whole greater than the sum of its parts”. The award was presented to Brent S. Crane by Gordon Walker who serves as the Director of Housing and Community Development at the State of Utah.
Allied Agency of the Year (2011)
Jurgen E. Korbanka who serves as the Executive Director at Wasatch Mental Health presented the Allied Community Partner Award to Brent S. Crane who graciously accepted the award on behalf of the organization. The award is the net result of collaborative efforts between both agencies in establishing mental health services on location at the new facility for the Food & Care Coalition. The WATCH Program, which offers mental health services to homeless persons, is the first collaborative program in the State of Utah to partner a local non-profit homeless provider with a clinic run and operated by the local mental health authority.
Senator Reed Smoot Community Service Award (2009)
The Community Service Award was awarded to the Food & Care Coalition at the annual Provo-Orem Chamber of Commerce event that honors distinguished service in the community. Brent S. Crane, the agency’s executive director, accepted the award and gave credit to the many volunteers, donors, and staff that collectively made an impact in shaping the organizations relevance and quality of services rendered. The award is named after former Senator Reed Smoot who had a distinguished career as a United States Senator, businessman and later as an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Excellence in Ethics Award (2009)
The board for the Center of the Study of Ethics at Utah Valley State College awarded Brent S. Crane with their distinguished Excellence in Ethics Award. President Mathew S. Holland presented the award and lauded Mr. Crane for his work in the non-profit sector and his influence in growing and enhancing services made available to the homeless and poverty stricken residing in Utah County. Past winners of the award have included Jon Huntsman Sr., Karen Ashton, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and Kerry D. Romesburg just to name a few.
Presidential Award (2006)
Corporate Alliance awarded Brent Crane with the Presidential award at their annual CARMA Awards Event held at the Provo Marriot Hotel. The award was presented by Jeff Rust and honors a member of the association annually who embodies the core values and beliefs of the organization.
