This year, The One Box team have been working hard on our Monitoring and Evaluation Initiative, taking a hands-on and exploratory approach to enhance our understanding of the program. Specifically, we have been looking at how our program is creating an impact on participating families, schools, and community partners.
In 2019, Emily and Vivien from The One Box team have conducted over thirty site visits to our program partners, to assess and gather feedback from staff, volunteers and families. We’ve roamed across our home state of Victoria and visited program partners in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney too, to collect the essential information we need to keep delivering an effective, efficient and relevant program.
Back at the office, we have collated further data to develop a clearer picture of the impact of our program. Over fifty rich case stories have been captured this year, which document how The One Box is affecting the lives of people currently involved in the program.
The research completed to date indicates that The One Box is helping families to feel nourished and supported during tough times. Beyond increasing practical access to fresh, nutritious staples, The One Box is also playing a role in bridging barriers and building stronger community relationships.
Here’s a snippet from one of our program managers in South Australia, who has witnessed the impact of The One Box first-hand:
“The impact [of The One Box] on this family’s life has been fantastic. Not only are the children no longer needing emergency lunches, their attendance is better, their general wellbeing has improved, and we have built a really positive relationship with the parents.”
School office manager, South Australian Primary School
It has been humbling to realise the extent and complexity of work that needs to be done to reduce food insecurity in Australia. For some people affected by these experiences, there is a real desire for their stories, and ideas for a better future, to be heard and shared. Our evaluation efforts will continue to provide meaningful opportunities for this to happen.
Together, we are building a more complete understanding of the many different ways that The One Box affects the diverse, resilient and resourceful families accessing our program.
To find out more about how you too can help put more good food on family tables, visit: theonebox.org.au/get-involved
Written by Vivien Yii, Research Coordinator at The Fruit Box Group
