Christy VanAllen’s Post

Agreed! Food insecurity is a real problem that affects people all over the state. Unfortunately, the answer can't simply be "visit a food bank near you". We need to talk about why there are food deserts all over our state. We need to talk about why black and brown families suffer disproportionately from food insecurity. We need to talk about why (in many cases) college students experience food insecurity at levels twice as high as the general population. Then, after we've talked about it, we need to do something about it. Something real and substantive. What we need is justice. Food justice for all!

I have 2 things for you to ponder: 1 - Last week I was helping welcome people to the Food Pantry for our Wednesday late afternoon/evening hours. In line were people who work in our community, coming after work to shop. I know this because they had uniforms and nametags from area businesses. Some had their kids with them, tired from a long day at school and/or day care. And everyone one of them depend on what is on these shelves to feed their families. 2 - Some of you might remember the panic you felt when you went to the grocery store early in the pandemic and found the thing that you needed unavailable. If you had to shop the food pantry and it was your only option because you were too short on cash from paying rent and all other life expenses to buy food and you got there and there wasn't much on the shelves - can you imagine the fear and panic? The good news is - that as a community - we can actually make it different. We can't change the dynamics that are causing people to need the pantry. (I don't have any tricks in my back pocket to change the economy, to change the housing shortage, to change the cost of day care or someone's income). But we can donate money to a food pantry or buy food to donate and fill shelves. That is in our collective power. I challenge you to to think of a way to make a difference today, and next week and the following week. Even if it's small, it will matter to someone. I know you all and you are a creative caring bunch. If you are looking for ideas or have ideas, your links are below <3

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟔 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫 Whether you’ve got money or time to spare, here is a list of ways you can donate, volunteer, and support local businesses that are assisting newcomers. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gzbwh95u #denver #walgreens #denverhumanservices #newcomersfund

We now estimate that we would need to spend twice what we originally budgeted to spend on food this year to meet the ongoing need. This leaves us with a critical gap between the amount of food people in our community need and the amount of food we can provide. Referring people to other food pantries is not the answer, since they are all facing the same critical challenges we are. It is a very difficult and disturbing truth for all of us. While we are deeply concerned, we remain hopeful. We have a generous community, tremendous volunteers, and a skilled and committed staff. Together we can make sure people in our community have the most basic and critical of all needs met and that our neighbors don’t have to experience hunger. You can help by sharing this message in your circles, and also by making a commitment to help today. Increase your giving, make your first financial gift, become a Circle of Hope monthly giver (see below for a link to help you with these), or purchase items from our Amazon wish list. https://lnkd.in/gq2K9EDj This isn't a short term problem with short term answers. But every action makes a difference.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟔 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫 Whether you’ve got money or time to spare, here is a list of ways you can donate, volunteer, and support local businesses that are assisting newcomers. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gxcXeNMh #denver #walgreens #denverhumanservices #newcomersfund

Today I met with Cathy B., co-founder of A Good Thing (UK) and it was a reminder of how the simplest ideas are often the best. A Good Thing is a non-profit online platform that matches businesses that have things to donate with charities that can use them, reducing waste, saving the charities money and keeping those items in use for longer. It operates all across the UK, but is low on NI-based businesses just now, so take a look and sign up if your business has ANYTHING that could be of use to another organisation. All sorts of weird and wonderful items have been already saved from landfill via the platform – from theatre props, T shirts and stationery to aluminium cans, laptops and candles. Greetings cards have gone to a project for women in prison. Gorgeous organic blankets have gone to vulnerable new mums. Furniture and paint have gone to a community space. Babygros have gone to families of people affected by substance misuse. Bamboo poles have gone to a beautiful community garden. It takes just 30 seconds to create a free account at https://lnkd.in/e4AUD9m and then you’ll be able to start creating listings for items that you have to give away. What a great way to ethically dispose of unwanted goods and help out a charity at the same time! #agoodthing #circularity #donatetoday

122 tonnes of furniture donated to the Scheme this year. That: = 🐘 20 African elephants (6.1 tonnes per elephant) = 🦛 32 hippos (3.8 tonnes) = 🦒 64 giraffes (1.9 tonnes) Your donations and the kindness of giving affects every part of the Richmond Furniture Scheme, how we operate and fulfil our mission. 1️⃣ You donate your furniture to us to save it from landfill and give it a new home. 2️⃣ Our volunteers (look! More giving) give it a clean up, repair, paint and reupholster, if needed. 3️⃣ More volunteers pop it back out onto the shop floor and into our online shop. 4️⃣ You come and browse, see something you like, and buy it at a very reasonable cost. 5️⃣ If you have a grant with one of our grant providers, you also get an additional 25% discount. There are other groups that qualify for a discount too. Check with the team for more info. 6️⃣ The furniture piece goes to a new home, has a happy life, and is saved from landfill. 💞 The gift that keeps on giving! 📞 0208 755 4665 📧 [email protected] 🌐 www.RFSonline.co.uk 📍 1a Fortescue Avenue, Twickenham TW2 5LS 🏡#MakingHomes 🌳#ProtectingTheEnvironment 💞#BuildingCommunity 🌐 www.RFSonline.co.uk/shop

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟔 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫 Whether you’ve got money or time to spare, here is a list of ways you can donate, volunteer, and support local businesses that are assisting newcomers. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gHMM7wpz #denver #walgreens #denverhumanservices #newcomersfund

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟔 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫 Whether you’ve got money or time to spare, here is a list of ways you can donate, volunteer, and support local businesses that are assisting newcomers. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gKUFWEcz #denver #walgreens #denverhumanservices #newcomersfund

It's heartwarming to see the Shoprite Mobile Soup Kitchens in action, providing warm meals to those in need during these challenging weather conditions in the Western Cape. Your dedication to serving communities in WC is truly commendable. #ActForChange Your efforts are an example of compassion and community spirit. Keep up the great work! The Shoprite Group of Companies #foodsafety #managementsystem #compliance #inspections #worldfoodsafetyday #foodsafetyandhygiene #saferfood #health  #wfsd #foodsafetyculture #foodsafetyfirst #culturechange #worldfoodsafetyday #fooddefense #foodsafetyculture #haccp #petrochemicalretail  #supermarkets #foodhygiene #foodhandling #foodprep #foodborneillness #retailers #retailmanagement #iso22000 #retailers #leader #foodsafety #foodandbeverageindustry #foodbusiness #foodfraud #conveniencestores #foodsafety #foodsafetyleader #retail #procurementmanager #procurement #food #safetyculture #microbiology #consumerprotection #consumerlaw #consumerbehavior #labelling #foodlegislation #regulationR638 #foodregulations #foodlabels #foodsafety #testing #microbiology #swabs #microtesting #development #compliance #inspections #auditors #foodsafety #inspections #foodsafetystandards #managementsystems #bestpractices #legislation #foodsafetyaudits #hygiene #safety #foodretail #qsr , #hospitality #catering #petroleum #auditing #R638 #SANS10049 #foodsafetyprogramme #GFSI