Inside Philanthropy’s Post

If you even loosely follow the news in Minnesota, you probably already know that we once again broke the record for most food shelf visits ever, at 7.5 million in 2023. You may also know that Second Harvest Heartland is ponying up to do something about it, starting with our new #MakeHungerHistory initiative, which aims to cut hunger in half by 2030. I wrote a little something about it and hope you'll check it out: https://lnkd.in/gP8e3tTC Kudos to Allison O'Toole for setting the vision, the Board of Directors for embracing it, and all my incredible colleagues who are already working to make this a reality. It'll take a whole-of-community effort to get it done, and it won't happen without additional investments and policies that target hunger at its roots. Which is why hunger is, ultimately, a policy choice. Let's choose to end it - starting by cutting it in half over the next six years. #mnleg #hunger #foodsecurity #foodinsecurity #moonshot #Minnesota #advocacy

I thought this was an amazing example of nonprofit justice in action. Offering skills and training support to non-profit leaders in food justice organizations can lead to direct policy transfection through continued advocacy and network-building. Collaboration across sectors helps build further institutional influence, leading to tangible change. #Nonprofit #Justice #Advocacy #FoodJustice

  At Food Dignity®, we know that if we do not support our local farmers, we will lose their valuable connection to our land and our local economy. Today, our local farmer is harvesting enough arugula and salad mix for 100 households to distribute tomorrow! The produce is planted, grown, and harvested to create food equity. Hunger is not an afterthought. In other words, our clients receive the freshest produce available. The Food Dignity® Movement creates a new market for our farmers and supports a robust local food supply chain. We DO NOT require warehousing, extra staffing, trucking logistics, or market research. Our operation is lean, efficient, and effective. Together, we slash expenses, reduce food waste, and serve high quality fresh food immediately after harvest. We also eliminate individual and institutional barriers to food access. For example, we do not ask a mother running from domestic violence to take an extra bus route to a food pantry that may or may NOT be open 2 hours out of the week. We give her food onsite during her counseling sessions. Our research indicates that women stay out of abusive relationships because they have peace of mind. They know they can feed their children nourishing food with dignity. Together, our partners do the following: 1. Invests in our local Pennsylvania economy 2. Provides PA agriculture to people who need it most  3. Invests in local farmers - meaning we pay a fair price and do not ask for favors or donation 4. Increases access to fresh, healthy food, which is proven to prevent adverse health effects, including diabetes and heart disease, and improve mental health 5. Improves nonprofits’ ability to serve vulnerable populations, which leads to increased participation and funding Watch our short video (3 min video) and hear from the farmers 👩🌾 themselves in the comments! ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ #FoodDignity #FoodDignityMovement #FoodDignityBook

The recent findings by Feeding America, highlighting the stark increase in food insecurity in Connecticut, resonate deeply with the challenges we confront daily at Person to Person. Despite being in one of the wealthiest states, the paradox of rising hunger, especially among children, underscores the critical importance of our mission. As we mobilize resources and expand our reach through our food pantries, including our mobile pantry in Stamford, this report serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for collaboration and sustained effort to ensure no one in our community has to worry about their next meal. https://lnkd.in/ezyTCC44

September is Hunger Action Month, and action is certainly needed. The USDA’s most recent food security report found that 12.8% of U.S. households were food-insecure. In Pennsylvania, nearly 1.7 million people are food-insecure, and 2024 has seen the state’s highest SNAP enrollment ever. Food access barriers include not only lack of money but also lack of time, transportation, mobility, and proximity to resources. Another USDA study found that 35% of those living below the poverty line travel to their primary food store by some means other than driving a car they own. People in poverty are more likely to work on-site jobs that limit their schedule flexibility, to lack access to affordable childcare, to be disabled, and to be undocumented. Any of these barriers, or multiple ones in combination, can turn a trip to the food pantry or the grocery store into an arduous trek. For those who need food assistance the most, convenient access is not a nice bonus – it’s a necessity. That's where we come in. 412 Food Rescue is pioneering new solutions to increase the reach and equity of food aid. Read more about how we effectively fight hunger this Hunger Action Month: https://lnkd.in/ePkPHYiW

Empower Missouri’s Food Security Coalition (FSC) is dedicated to making sure that all Missourians have access to healthy meals. The charitable food sector, including institutions like food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens play a critical role in keeping people fed, but they can only provide about ten percent of the total food benefits needed for the over 924,000 Missourians facing hunger. The rest comes from social safety net programs like SNAP (The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which is why our FSC focuses so strongly on protecting these programs – and ensuring that they are accessible to everyone who is eligible. As recently as 2023, understaffing at the Missouri Department of Social Services call centers and lack of disability accommodations too often resulted in applicants being unable to schedule interviews, ultimately leading to the denial of SNAP benefits for numerous individuals and families that are otherwise eligible. It is essential that eligible families are able to access the benefits they need to meet their nutritional requirements. And so, when legislative advocacy with the Missouri State Legislature and administrative advocacy with the Department of Social Services did not work to address these issues, judicial advocacy was the next step. In February 2022, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, the National Center for Law and Economic Justice (NCLEJ) and Stinson LLP, filed a lawsuit on behalf of Empower Missouri and two low-income Missourians. You can read more in our newest Weekly Perspective blog post here: https://lnkd.in/gWiPrhpW Image description: blue text reading "New Weekly Perspective on the Blog! One Step Closer to Ensuring Adequate Nutrition for All Missourians" with a photo of a child grocery shopping with a parent #EmpowerMO #WeeklyPerspective #Blog #Missouri #FoodSecurity #EmpowerMOFSC

Food insecurity is not a new challenge, but one made worse by the pandemic. Now, food pantries, food banks, government agencies and philanthropic supporters are stepping up their efforts and evolving to better meet the needs of the community. This article is part of The Change Project, a series by NJ Spotlight News examining NJ’s social and economic challenges and focusing on promising actions that have led to positive change. #ChangeProjectNJ

Is food part of your #Juneteenth festivities? Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, commemorating the liberation of enslaved peoples in the U.S. It's a day that's part of all our history in this country, and a day that marks a decisive step we can all be proud of on the path towards equality for everyone. BBQ and other foods can be a big part of how communities mark Juneteenth. Sounds delish! But let's look deeper into that. According to an NIH study, "food insecurity rates for both non-Hispanic black and Hispanic households were at least twice that of non-Hispanic white households." Seems our journey towards equality for all still has a way to go. This is why I'm proud of the #nonprofit work The Terrace Foundation and other #UrbanFarming organizations are doing to eliminate food deserts, not only feeding people but empowering underserved communities of every background to feed themselves. In a land where we throw away 133 Billion pounds of food annually (source: USDA), no one should go hungry. Especially on a day of celebration. Happy Juneteenth! https://lnkd.in/gv4P_rFU

In addressing food insecurity, Greener Village serves as an emergency "first responder," shielding individuals and families from the immediate threat of hunger. While acknowledging the significance of food banks, we at Greener Village understand that we are not the ultimate solution but a vital bridge toward a food-secure future. The conversation around food insecurity often revolves around understanding its root causes and implementing transformative measures, much like the discussions led by experts at the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph. Paul Taylor rightfully emphasizes that charity alone cannot eradicate food insecurity; it requires a deeper exploration of systemic issues. Jennifer Grenz's insights on leveraging community knowledge and land stewardship resonate deeply. Greener Village, too, believes in empowering communities and individuals on their journey toward self-sufficiency, fostering collective well-being and resilience. While acknowledging the importance of data-driven solutions, Greener Village remains committed to not just providing immediate aid but fostering sustainable solutions that address the underlying causes of food insecurity. The collective effort to transform our food systems and empower communities forms the cornerstone of Greener Village's mission to create a more food-secure future. #FoodSecurity #SustainableSolutions #EmpoweringCommunities #GreenerVillageImpact