El Pasoans Fighting Hunger (EPFH) is the leading hunger-relief organization serving the El Paso, Texas, region, an area plagued by food insecurity exacerbated by economic hardship and geographic isolation. EPFH supports 130 partner agencies across the borderland, where nearly 20% of residents rely on the food bank. In 2023, EPFH partnered with S.I.R. to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to align operations, enhance resilience, and engage stakeholders in creating a sustainable future for hunger relief. 

EPFH faces significant challenges due to El Paso's geographic isolation, reliance on external food sources, and vulnerability to supply chain disruptions. Additionally, as a relatively young food bank, EPFH contends with establishing its infrastructure while responding to growing community needs. The organization’s diverse staff and leadership also bring varying perspectives, requiring a unified vision and strategic focus to navigate the complexities of its mission. 

S.I.R. collaborated with EPFH through a four-phase strategic planning process designed to solidify the food bank’s long-term goals and strengthen its operational framework. Key elements included: 

1. Establishing a Foundation: S.I.R. interviewed board members, staff, and key stakeholders to assess EPFH’s current state and identify critical focus areas. This initial phase included a thorough review of past strategies and trends in food insecurity impacting the region. 

2. Refining Focus Areas: S.I.R. facilitated a two-day strategic retreat, during which EPFH leadership and stakeholders performed a SWOT analysis and stakeholder mapping. The retreat culminated in identifying key focus areas, such as optimizing food distribution, expanding partnerships, and building a sustainable operational model. 

3. Engaging Stakeholders: S.I.R. led focus groups with EPFH’s stakeholders, including donors, clients, and community partners, to gather feedback and ensure alignment with the broader community. These insights helped refine the strategic goals and ensured that the plan addressed both internal needs and external expectations. 

4. Finalizing the Plan: The final phase focused on integrating stakeholder feedback into a comprehensive strategic plan. S.I.R. also developed a detailed implementation roadmap, complete with key performance indicators (KPIs), to measure success and ensure accountability. 

The collaboration between EPFH and S.I.R. resulted in a robust strategic plan that aims to address food insecurity across the El Paso region. The plan focuses on four primary strategies: 

• Nourishing the Community: Expanding food sourcing and distribution channels while reducing barriers to access. 

• Empowering Neighbors: Providing education, job training, and resources to enhance self-sufficiency. 

• Uniting the Community: Strengthening partnerships across sectors and engaging the community in the fight against hunger. 

• Operating with Excellence and Transparency: Ensuring financial sustainability, improving governance, and investing in infrastructure.