DEAR FRIENDS,
During this Thanksgiving week, we are reminded to reflect on our lives and be grateful. With the pandemic, the holidays look different for most of us - smaller gatherings, get-togethers on zoom - but we can still find many things to be thankful for. Many of us have good health; family, friends, and pets to love; and food on our tables.
At this time, I am reminded of many people who do not have healthy food on their tables. The news this week has highlighted many folks around the country - including Pennsylvania - waiting in long lines for food to feed their families. The pandemic and the resulting rise in unemployment have contributed to the rise in food insecurity - right in our own backyard.
For this week’s newsletter, I am reposting part of my blog from this past June about Food Insecurity. Near the end of the post, there are five specific actions we can take to help. During this holiday season, join me in supporting organizations such as Feeding America, the Chester County Food Bank, the Media Food Bank, Philabundance, and many other local food banks and pantries.
From the Inspire Wellness and Nutrition newsletter, June 2020:
When we read and talk about nutrition, we not only focus on what is best for our own body and health but also on how healthy food and the lack of it affects others.
The events of the past few months: the global pandemic, quarantines and shelter-in-home advisories, the closing of schools, economic instability and the resulting rise in unemployment, have all brought about an increase in food insecurity in the United States. Food insecurity (according to FeedingAmerica.org) is defined as a “lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members and limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.” When households need to make trade-offs between paying rent or medical bills and buying nutritious food - this is food insecurity.
How can we help with food insecurity in our communities?
Spoon University, a resource/food community on college campuses, lists five ways we can help battle food insecurity and malnutrition:
Donate to Feeding America. Feeding America is a network of food banks dedicated to reducing hunger in communities nationwide, including the Philadelphia area. Every dollar counts! A one-time donation of $25 provides meals to a child for 3 months.
Donate to your local food bank or food pantry. Click here to find food banks or pantries in your area. Also, Feeding America has a search function here.
Start a food drive. Get your friends, family, neighbors, and others to join you in a food drive. Look at Move for Hunger’s tips on starting your own drive.
Volunteer. Your time will be invaluable to a food bank and its recipients. Check out Feeding America’s website on how to get started. Over 51% of food banks rely entirely on volunteers!
Contact your federal, state, county, and local elected officials about food policy. Legislation is involved with every step of how food gets from the farm to the fork. Not sure how to get started? GovTrack offers a list of bills related to agriculture and food currently in process. Contact your senators and congressmen and women voicing the need to eliminate food insecurity in America. For help crafting your email or phone message, here is a great resource.
Let’s take action - with kindness and compassion - and do what we can to help our communities and fellow human beings!
A Thanksgiving Meditation
Inspiring you to health and wellness,