Rosemary Connors’ Post

This year, a record 101 youth organizations participated in the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation’s Ignite the Spirit program. Through this program, FFA, 4-H and other youth-based organizations receive $500 and 4 cases of pork loin to create their own service project to address hunger and food insecurity in their community. Organizations pick up the pork loins at Operation Christmas Meal stops throughout the month of December and then work with other hunger-fighting organizations in their area to prepare their project. Examples of projects include community meals and holiday meal boxes. Groups were spread across the whole state, with projects occurring in 47 counties.

We meet people where they're at ❤️ That’s why we work to provide basic needs of food, shelter, health, and safety. When individuals are unable to meet their immediate needs, it becomes more difficult to focus on long-term goals such as employment, housing, or education. #basicneeds #community #judgmentfreezone

It's important we provide food resources to homeless and at-risk youth to ensure a healthy lifestyle where they can focus in school or at their job. We are partnering with the community to bring our food pantry to them. We designed our pantry of non-perishable foods so youth living on the streets, in cars, motels, couch-surfing, etc. have access to food for their environment. 1 in 5 children across America don't have enough to eat. They have to make tradeoffs between buying groceries or paying bills. We want to bridge that gap with our Food Security program. Help us to ensure no youth experiencing homelessness goes without food. 💚https://lnkd.in/gN_zdAwY 💚https://lnkd.in/g7NEWXCj  #FoodSecurity #nokidhungry #resources #youth #homeless #bayarea #BASEyouthservices #BayAreaSocialEmpowerment

Community initiatives play a vital role in combating food insecurity among Toronto's college students. Jane Doe’s article, “Community Efforts in Combating Hunger” (2023) in The Local, showcases inspiring stories of volunteers and local organizations stepping up to fill the gap. Doe writes, “Grassroots initiatives are proving to be a lifeline for many, yet more support is needed” (Doe, 2023). This article emphasizes the importance of local efforts and the ongoing need for resources to support these initiatives. Check out this compelling piece in the latest issue of The Local. #thelocal #foodinsecurities

As a leader in #foodjustice work, I’ve learned the following. 1) volunteerism that is 70%+ reflective of the community being service, uplifts overall trust and community building. Leading volunteerism work through a #DEI approach ensures representation of the diverse communities we are a part of. 2) volunteers can be part of the base you service. Providing options for volunteers to benefit from the service allows for volunteer engagement amongst communities that otherwise would be shy of. Clear boundaries need to be made to prevent exchange of good for volunteerism. 3) food justice work needs to be community informed. Our identities are intertwined with our access to nourishment. 4) food justice work is essential to linkage to other services. Love Wins NYC Food Pantry ♥️

This post highlights the upcoming All-Star Giveback event at Eastern Market Shed 5 on November 26. Now in its 27th year, this event serves as a symbol of unity in addressing food insecurity, especially crucial during the Thanksgiving season. It emphasizes the importance of coming together to support vulnerable communities, showcasing the impact of solidarity in fighting hunger. In a world where disparities exist, where abundance and scarcity coexist, collaborative efforts like the All-Star Giveback can bring about significant change. By joining forces with this initiative, we not only acknowledge food insecurity but actively work towards solutions, ensuring crucial assistance reaches those in need, particularly during critical times like the holidays. Let's unite and create a positive impact by supporting initiatives like the All-Star Giveback, fostering a society built on justice and compassion for all. Together, we can make a difference and contribute to a community that stands strong against hunger. #FightHunger #CommunitySupport #HolidayGiving

The Bread Run, in partnership with Hovis Ltd, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and The Kind Counter, is a community initiative tackling food insecurity. This collaborative effort provides fresh bread to rough sleepers, homeless individuals, and members of the general public facing hardship. By redistributing surplus bread, the programme ensures that those most vulnerable receive nourishing food while reducing waste. Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in the UK, with millions of households struggling to access adequate and nutritious meals. Rising living costs and economic challenges have deepened the crisis, disproportionately affecting low income families and individuals. Initiatives like the Bread Run offer immediate relief and foster community spirit, showing that partnerships between organisations can address urgent needs effectively. This helps combat hunger and also restores dignity and hope to those navigating challenging circumstances. #thebreadrun #breadrun #costoflivingcrisis #thewanderinglondoner

Every act of care shelters hope. Across communities, dedicated people show up every day to support others at their most vulnerable moments. They don’t just provide food, shelter, or care—they create spaces where hope can take root. 💡 The most powerful change often starts quietly: A warm meal offered to someone far from home. A clinic worker ensuring a safe delivery for a migrant mother. A volunteer who listens and provides comfort when no one else does. This quiet, consistent support isn’t just about survival; it’s about sheltering hope for a better future - and that shows us the true power of a community. 🌍 Small actions matter. Who or what inspires you to be a source of hope in your community? #ShelteringHope #CommunityCare #HopeInAction

Across our network, we are proud to support hundreds of UK based charities, including many tackling food insecurities just like The Bread Run #thebreadrun 🍞 This initiative addresses food insecurity by providing fresh bread to rough sleepers, homeless individuals, and those facing hardship. By redistributing surplus bread, the volunteers ensure that the most vulnerable receive nourishing food while also reducing waste. Initiatives like The Bread Run offer immediate relief and foster community spirit, demonstrating that partnerships between organisations can effectively address urgent needs. Together, we can help to combat hunger and restore dignity and hope to those navigating challenging circumstances.   #costoflivingcrisis #reducingfoodwaste

A very distressing insight published into the impact of homelessness on families by Kitty Holland of the Irish Times: Emergency accommodation is designed to meet the short-term housing needs of a household, that arise on an urgent basis. Yet lengthy waiting lists to access social housing and lack of private rental accommodation mean many have no option but to remain in emergency accommodation on a long-term basis, if they can access it at all.   At CLM, we frequently advise families who find themselves living in poor, unsuitable and often grossly overcrowded living conditions in emergency accommodation, for prolonged periods. Our clients frequently report the profound negative impacts these living conditions are having on their children’s health and wellbeing.   Recent reports by the Ombudsman for Children highlighted the negative effects of emergency accommodation on “parenting, individual and family privacy, children’s ability to rest, sleep, learn and study, children’s health, well-being and development, opportunities for play and recreation, freedom of movement, and children’s ability to maintain relationships with family and friends” To read the report, visit: https://lnkd.in/eD4PCQXU