Do you remember the beginning of the COVID Pandemic when no one knew what was going on? There was an illness that was spreading, it was serious, and schools were shutting down. But what was there to DO about it? Well, the consensus was - let’s just go buy toilet paper! And so we did. We bought toilet paper and stocked up on bottled water and cleared shelves of food. Why? Because we needed to feel like we were preparing ourselves for the unknown situation ahead. In retrospect, I look at my early March 2020 Costco run and shake my head. Was that girl in the longest line of her life with her giant shopping cart actually doing anything helpful? Not really. But did it make me feel better at the time? It sure did! And that is the instinctual human response - to finding something to do when we feel uncertain.
There have been many events this year, even in the last week, that have sparked feelings of overwhelm and helplessness in the world around us. There aren’t straightforward answers to the injustice and heartbreak, but we know it feels better if there is some way to act. Instead of toilet paper, here are some ideas:
Its Hunger Action Month! For September, you can look out for a neighbor in need by taking action against hunger in our community. Your family can sponsor another family for only $25 per month! Or you can make a one time donation that you know will give hope to a local family experiencing food insecurity.
Volunteer - When you help at a nonprofit organization, you know your actions are helping others and not just adding to the noise. Find a cause you believe in and show up to help. Many organizations (including ours!) rely heavily on volunteers to move their missions forward. You will walk away knowing that your time made a difference.
Use Your Voice - There is so much negativity floating around the internet and permeating the news. You can choose to use your areas of influence to spread positive stories or share about areas of need that require action. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Engage in our posts or create your own! Help share the message of Food for Hope. Every act of sharing helps us ensure we can continue providing food to the families that need it.
Many people believe they are helpless, or they think that their small act of kindness won’t matter. I’m here to tell you IT WILL matter and you CAN make a difference in your community. Just last week, someone saw a story about Food or Hope on the news. She was inspired to help, so she showed up at the Food for Hope hub with a box full of food donations. We were so encouraged by her choice to take action. Encourage someone else and take action today.
