This year, instead of making a list of daunting new year’s resolutions, how about pursuing nourishing resolutions – simple, attainable goals that promote generosity and the joy of giving back to our community? They will make a big impact on our neighbors in need.
Here are 10 suggestions that will not only nourish the community but feed your soul as well.
1. Start a volunteer habit
Challenge yourself to volunteer once a month (or more!). Or, try volunteering for an opportunity that’s new to you. As a volunteer you’ll have the chance to connect with others and make a positive impact in our community. Shifts boxing, sorting and distributing food are available morning, noon and night across Contra Costa and Solano counties.
2. Learn how food banks support the community
If you’ve ever wondered who food insecurity impacts and how organizations collectively band together to serve our neighbors in need, sign up for our newsletter. You’ll learn more about who we are, who we partner with, what we do, the people we serve, our various programs and upcoming Food Bank events and happenings.
3. Be a resource
With 1 in 6 of our neighbors facing food insecurity, you never know who among your group of friends is worried about where to get their next meal. Be a supportive resource by sharing our Find Food map, which is searchable by city and zip code. Not sure who might need us? Share the link with employers, colleagues, school administrators or anyone who might forward it to their community. The Find Food map is also available in Spanish.
4. Share your favorite dish
We’re increasing the variety of fruit and vegetables across our programs, but not every veggie is familiar to all. If you have a favorite recipe that uses ingredients like eggplants, red onions or other produce – or another well-loved, budget-friendly dish you’d like to share with our community – please send it to hello@foodbankccs.org.
5. Give monthly
To be the community safety net for those facing food insecurity, the Food Bank also relies on our own “safety net” – our generous monthly donors. Monthly donors give us the gift of stable, reliable funding we can depend upon as we plan for 2023. (Already donating monthly? If you’re able, consider increasing your pledge to make an even bigger impact.)
6. Holler about hunger
We hear an abundance of stories about hunger during the holiday season, but hunger occurs 365 days a year. Help us break the stigma and raise awareness all year long by following us on social media and sharing our posts. Or inspiring your followers by sharing what ending hunger means to you – and don’t forget to tag @FoodBankCCS!
7. Join our advocacy workshop
Our six-week Speaker Series is now accepting applications until Dec. 30. This program offers a unique opportunity for people with lived experience of hunger and/or a passion to end hunger to train as community advocates. Participants learn public speaking skills and partner with the Food Bank to work toward a hunger-free community.
8. Peek under the hood
Want to learn to bust common myths about food insecurity, while getting a behind-the-scenes look at how a food bank works? We offer tours of our Concord warehouse every Tuesday at 11 a.m. Meet our staff, see volunteers at work and get inspired to give back!
9. Get the office involved
Did you know that you can often power up your donation to help even more of your neighbors with one simple tool? Use the Double the Donation widget at the bottom of this page to see if your employer matches charitable gifts. Or, if you’d like to foster team bonding while making a positive impact in your community, try hosting a virtual food drive at your workplace, or signing up for a group volunteer shift.
10. Inspire others
Encourage the people in your life to make their own nourishing resolutions by sharing this post. You can start a chain reaction of kindness!
