It's time to elevate the voices of those directly involved in the hunger relief system 🙌 and look beyond the halo effect of the charitable food system.
Having managed a large church food pantry for over a decade under the Feeding America network, I often describe my perspective of the system as the toddler view. 👶👶👶
Allow me to illustrate:
When a parent cleans a house, they see a polished, clutter-free table and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, perhaps even expecting praise from their partner. But when a toddler looks up, they see a different reality. They notice the cracks, dirt, gum, and grime that have accumulated over the years beneath the table.
I have that toddler view.
Working at ground level, I witness the areas in need of improvement within food banking and food rescue. Do I have all the answers? No. But I do have solutions.
ALL frontline workers have solutions. 💡
My question to those who support hunger relief efforts (foundations, event planners, elected officials, food futurists, food sustainability experts, big corporations, universities, government agencies, journalists, etc.):
When was the last time you listened to and amplified the voices of the community leaders on the frontlines rather than relying on the words of those who make decisions behind a computer screen and pose for the perfect picture?
Here are some things you can do:
1. Understand the ability to scale doesn't always solve hunger, it might actually perpetuate it.
2. Invite frontline workers to round table discussions, listen fully, and take notes.
3. Provide a safe place for frontline workers to share their concerns without fear of retaliation. 🧐🧐🧐
4. Understand you will have to go against the status quo and think differently.
5. Admit that we all have room for improvement.
6. Realize there are many perspectives.
7. Know that each community is different and a one size fits all approach doesn't work!
8. Encourage frontline workers to be bold with their thoughts and experiences. 📢📢📢
9. Acknowledge that we have all been wrong b/c if we were right, hunger would not exist.
#FoodDignity #BetheChange #ElevateFrontlineSolutions #RealSolutions #LocalCommunity #CommunityBuilding
Manager, Community Outreach at Ryan/Executive Director, The Ryan Foundation | Musician | Wife and Mother
2moWe love this partnership! Thanks for showing off the truck at #RyanSHARES Day!