Hunger affects communities around the world, and the Greater Philadelphia area is no exception. According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap, 1 in 9 people in our nine-county service area struggle with food insecurity every day.
While it is a huge concern, no effort is too small to help drive hunger from our communities. Whether you give food, funds, or your time, you make a difference. Here are some actionable ways you can fight hunger in your community.
Fighting Hunger: How to Make an Impact
1. Figure out where you want to make an impact
The first and most basic step in making a difference is figuring out where you want to focus your efforts. What sort of impact will follow. Our advice is to start at home. We serve those facing food insecurity in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.
2. Start producing
Community gardens can have a big impact for those experiencing food insecurity. Dedicating time and resources to a community garden is a great way to grow fresh, nutritious, delicious produce to distribute to local relief efforts.
The best part? There are lots of them. Check out the Philadelphia Horticultural Society for a list of community gardens in the area.
3. Get involved with food rescue
Worldwide, a huge amount of volume of food goes to waste. In the United States, 92 billion pounds of food is wasted every year, equating to nearly 40% of food produced in the U.S.
This underscores the importance of food rescue. Retailers, restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses waste a lot of food every day that is still fit for consumption. There are food rescue programs (such as our Retail Rescue program) you can work with that will empower you to help prevent waste and ensure that more of it goes to helping fight hunger. At Philabundance, our Retail Rescue program partners with over 350 local retailers to rescue food. The food is distributed to our community partners. Last year we rescued and redistributed 17 million pounds of food for our neighbors facing hunger!
4. Donate to a food bank (see below)
Food banks – like us here at Philabundance – are always looking for charitable individuals who want to fight hunger directly by donating food. Consider giving canned foods and dry goods as they have longer shelf lives and are easier to transport.
5. Get involved with a fundraiser or donate money
Consider working with a local organization and host a food drive or fundraiser in your community. You can also select an organization and donate money. At Philabundance, we accept donations of both food and funds, and contributions are tax deductible. You can even host a traditional food drive with your friends and family. Or, you can get involved with a virtual food drive!
6. Talk to your employer about donations
Corporate giving makes an incredible impact for nonprofit organizations. Consider getting involved with your employer by talking to your supervisor or management team about partnering with a local food bank. You could also organize and run a food drive, or talk to your employer about matching your donation. Your employer may get benefits from these partnerships too.
7. Spread awareness about the issue
Though you may not always see it, hunger affects every ZIP Code in America.Talk to friends and family about your concerns and efforts, share statistics on hunger in your community, and spread some of the information about how they can make a difference too.
You can also get active on your social media accounts to spread awareness about food insecurity and efforts in your area to combat it.
8. Volunteer with a local organization
Volunteering your time is also a great way to help fight hunger. Food banks, pantries , and other anti-hunger organizations often rely on individuals who are willing to volunteer their time to support their efforts. At Philabundance, we host volunteers nearly every day. Sign up for a volunteer shift today.
Where Can I Donate Food?
If you got here by asking yourself the question, “Where can I donate food?” you’re in the right place. We have different options depending on the scope and volume of your donation. For more information on how to donate and how to schedule a pick-up or drop-off, please see the previous link or contact us directly at fooddrives@philabundance.org.
