Thanks for all of your suggestions for action. I hope you don't mind if I recommend a couple of my articles. The first is for folks who want to explore the idea of Community Gardens, whether there is one in their community or not, what to expect if there is, and how to find information on starting one if there are none near by. https://biodiversepress.substack.com/p/join-or-start-a-community-garden The other is on Building Your Foraging Library: https://biodiversepress.substack.com/p/building-your-foraging-library Neither is behind a paywall at this time,
" ... if we know of people in need, the best thing to do is to attempt to resource them directly. " This is super important. The neediest people often can't access food banks for many reasons. 1. You need transportation. 2. You need to be able to lift and carry a box or a bag full of food. 3. You may have to wait in line for up to an hour or more, outside, in all kinds of weather. 4. They may require you to have a verifiable residential address and a working phone number. 5. They may just hand you a box or bag of food, with no consideration over your diet, if you have a can opener or not, if you have a way to cook things or not, and whether or not you have a fridge of freezer for storage.
I'm still reading, and I do love your title. But the amount stated that this couple received in food aid is way above the actual limit for a couple on SNAP. That amount reflects what a very low income family of 4 might be eligible for. Meanwhile, I hope they have gotten their benefits by now. https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility
Thanks for your message! They said they haven’t gotten them yet and I’ll be delivering groceries to them in a few hours from a local food kitchen actually. It didn’t feel like my place to question their situation or how their benefits were calculated (whether it included additional family members I don’t know about etc.) but I do appreciate this resource!
So glad you can help them. I was concerned that listing that high (and improbable) of a number in public, might mislead some people to think that folks getting food assistance might all be getting that high of an amount. And you know how some people are just so prepared to be ugly and pass around misinformation at the slightest provocation. That’s why it concerns me. Either the number isn’t right or the number of people being served is higher. Or there are some sort of other extenuating circumstances. But anyway, I am glad you can help them.
Just wanted to take a minute to tell you how powerful I found your writing! I’m obsessed with Ron Finley and his work about bringing food growing gardens to food, desert communities… I am finding my way in this intersection as well as I story tell about climate and consciousness and give people tools to feed themselves, even in a windowsill… Thank you for inspiring me and for this good work!
Thanks for all of your suggestions for action. I hope you don't mind if I recommend a couple of my articles. The first is for folks who want to explore the idea of Community Gardens, whether there is one in their community or not, what to expect if there is, and how to find information on starting one if there are none near by. https://biodiversepress.substack.com/p/join-or-start-a-community-garden The other is on Building Your Foraging Library: https://biodiversepress.substack.com/p/building-your-foraging-library Neither is behind a paywall at this time,
Wonderful! These are great resources. Thank you for sharing!
Your so welcome, thanks for all you do. :)
" ... if we know of people in need, the best thing to do is to attempt to resource them directly. " This is super important. The neediest people often can't access food banks for many reasons. 1. You need transportation. 2. You need to be able to lift and carry a box or a bag full of food. 3. You may have to wait in line for up to an hour or more, outside, in all kinds of weather. 4. They may require you to have a verifiable residential address and a working phone number. 5. They may just hand you a box or bag of food, with no consideration over your diet, if you have a can opener or not, if you have a way to cook things or not, and whether or not you have a fridge of freezer for storage.
Yes exactly! Great points. Access is a big factor.
Love this statement. Thank you!!!
Thank you for reading & for all you do!
I'm still reading, and I do love your title. But the amount stated that this couple received in food aid is way above the actual limit for a couple on SNAP. That amount reflects what a very low income family of 4 might be eligible for. Meanwhile, I hope they have gotten their benefits by now. https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility
Thanks for your message! They said they haven’t gotten them yet and I’ll be delivering groceries to them in a few hours from a local food kitchen actually. It didn’t feel like my place to question their situation or how their benefits were calculated (whether it included additional family members I don’t know about etc.) but I do appreciate this resource!
So glad you can help them. I was concerned that listing that high (and improbable) of a number in public, might mislead some people to think that folks getting food assistance might all be getting that high of an amount. And you know how some people are just so prepared to be ugly and pass around misinformation at the slightest provocation. That’s why it concerns me. Either the number isn’t right or the number of people being served is higher. Or there are some sort of other extenuating circumstances. But anyway, I am glad you can help them.
This is great work! Thank you for walking the balance between serving urgent needs while dreaming new systems of being.
Appreciate your acknowledgement of that! Thank you for all you do! 🌸
Just wanted to take a minute to tell you how powerful I found your writing! I’m obsessed with Ron Finley and his work about bringing food growing gardens to food, desert communities… I am finding my way in this intersection as well as I story tell about climate and consciousness and give people tools to feed themselves, even in a windowsill… Thank you for inspiring me and for this good work!
Thank you Kelsey! I so appreciate your words of support, and all that you do! Looking forward to growing and learning more together 🌸