Applied Sciences Week 1 Course Project: Project Charter Assignment PROJ586

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Project Charter Option 1

Soup Kitchen

Project Charter

Project Name: Soup Kitchen

Business Need:

The proposed location for the soup kitchen is home to a large population of immigrants, with diverse languages and dialects. The ethnic construct indicates a diverse group of residents from all walks of life and backgrounds. Of these groupings, it has been determined that 12.6% of the total population are living below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. Considering these factors, coupled with the social ills of this community, a soup kitchen is an urgent need to alleviate some of the discomfort of the people most affected by hunger and who lack proper nutritious diets. A soup kitchen is an essential endeavor that will ensure that people in crisis, including those who are homeless and families struggling with low incomes, can have a hot cooked meal at least twice a week to alleviate their hunger and serve as a nutrition supplement to the little that they have.

Because this is a not-for-profit initiative, there will be no financial benefit expected to be gained. However, the city will fulfill its community mandate as commissioned in its core values to go out in the communities to feed the hungry.

The project is expected to be beneficial to the patrons targeted. There are some assumptions on the risks that may affect this initiative such as the following.

· Security risk: Onsite security personnel may be needed because of the diverse group that may include people who suffer from some type of mental illness.

· Injuries: Common kitchen hazards, such as knife cuts, burn hazards, slips, trips and falls, and lifting injuries are all possible.

· Compliance risks: The soup kitchen will have to comply with new rules that are set by the city or state from time to time.

· Financial risk: Depending on the level of giving, the running costs may become a constraint for the continuity of the project.

· Operational risk: As a voluntary effort, the management may not be as vigilant or compliant with rules set by the city that may cause disruption to the operation of the program.

Objectives:

The soup kitchen will aim to provide hot nutritious meals and hygiene kits to the homeless and low-income families twice a week. This initiative will assist the city in the fight against hunger and break down social barriers as people from various ethnic groupings and different languages come together to share a meal. The kitchen also wants to serve at least 200 individuals per meal.

Requirements:

There are a number of requirements to start a soup kitchen, some of which are already available as local government will help with some resources.

Assumptions:

· The soup kitchen will be able to obtain status as a registered nonprofit organization.

· The building has a large area for a kitchen and a large hall to feed the hungry.

· There will be an ongoing weekly distribution of food (perishables) from trusted donors.

Needs:

· To file the necessary paperwork with the city to meet compliance with FDA rules and regulations that the state incorporated into their laws

· Secure volunteers

· Raise funds

· Build partnership with the city council

Approval Requirements:

Approval is firstly required from the local board, which is the governing body and led by the local representative. The representative will then recommend the initiative to the local board at a called business meeting for its approval. Secondly, approval must be sought from the city council, who will approve after being satisfied that the project complies and that the legal requirements and regulations with both city and state laws are met.

Product Scope Description:

The soup kitchen will be centrally located in the city where the homeless, low income, and destitute can easily access it to be served with a hot nutritious meal on 2 days each week to supplement what they have and also provide them with hygiene kits to take care of themselves in a modest way. The aim is to feed at least 75 people each day (twice weekly) or 150 weekly. The meals will be hot, and the menu will provide both meat and vegetarian options with high protein content, as the church advocates for, but will not force vegetarianism on patrons. The hygiene kits will be provided and distributed once during the first week of each month to patrons based on gender. Kits will also be provided outside of this window based on requests and assessed needs.

The soup kitchen will be exactly what its name says. Providing free meals without discrimination. What the kitchen is not expected to do, which is outside of its scope, is to provide or assist in finding shelter for the homeless (whether temporary or permanent), deliver on-site medical attention to the sick or mentally challenged, or offer financial stipends and gifts to the patrons.

Milestones:

Milestone/Deliverables	Expected Date
Completion of the kitchen rehabilitation (outside of the project scope but key component to the project)	July/August 2023
Charter approved	October 2022
Partnership formed and project endorsed by the city	December 2022
Approval of legal requirements	December 2022
Management team in place	January 2023
Budget approval	January 2023
Kitchen open	December 2023

Schedule:

Object Timeline
Milestones/Deliverables	2022	2023
	May-July	Aug-Oct	Nov-Dec	Jan-March	April-June	July-Sep.	Oct-Dec
Project Analysis
Charter Submission
Board and Church Approval
Cost Estimates
Present and Get City's Approval
Refine Project
Opening of Kitchen

Budget:

The kitchen will need an estimate of $2.400 monthly, or $28,800 yearly to function. Utilities, housing, insurance, and so forth are already on the church’s budget and will not impact the program. It is assumed that the funds will come from the church’s budget 90% and the other 10% from fundraising and gifts.

Project Manager: The Current Community Services Leader

The Community Services Leader will be the project manager by default, because the project is outreach in nature. He or she will be responsible for the planning, procurement, execution, and completion of the project. The project manager is in charge of the entire project and handles everything involved, such as the project scope and managing the project team and the resources assigned to the project.

Project Sponsor: Local Representative

The Local Representative will be responsible for the overall success of the project, including appointing the project manager and team, defining success criteria, and ensuring the successful delivery of the project.

High-Level Assumptions and Constraints:

With all projects, there will be constraints and we have identified the following.

· Volunteers: Volunteers will need to be qualified.

· Funds: Funding is set and there isn’t room for unjustified spending.

· Political climate: The kitchen will need to follow local government guidelines.