How to do it:

There are numerous ways to engage in mutual aid around food. Take stock of your own situation and choose at least one way to help at least one person. How tight is your budget? How much time do you have? Are you an experienced cook, or could you stand to learn?

Here are a dozen quick ideas. Over time we’ll flesh them out with individual posts:

• if you have an older neighbor on a fixed income, take them dinner (or invite them to dinner!) once a week
• do you rely on convenience foods? Find another family also struggling with time and exchange easily reheated meals once a week.
• build a little free pantry and stock it with staples
• donate money to a food bank
• Host a “charity dinner” at your house and invite people to donate to a food bank
• help feed kids at school
• if you have a cooking skill, offer it in bulk: get to-go containers from a local restaurant supply and offer a meal to anyone having a busy week.
• learn to cook beans from scratch (by far the cheapest protein!)
• gift food for the holidays. Luxuries, or kits for something you’re known for.
• volunteer at your religious group or a homeless shelter’s food program
• give a struggling neighbor “extras” from your Costco run. (Who has space?!)
• Offer a talent (cookies, birthday cake) in exchange for donations to a food bank
• at Halloween, include kid-friendly real food, like mac-n-cheese cups or single-serve cereal
• Give friends a themed food gift: pack shelf stable charcuterie items onto a bamboo plate with a coupon for “game night” or create a tea-time kit with individually packaged tea (e.g. Stash), a tiny jar of honey and some cookies. Make it a them by including a game, book, or cozy blanket.
• Many people reliant on food banks lack reliable transportation. Offer a ride to someone you know, or on a community group. This is also a good option if you find yourself needing the food bank for the first time. They’re your guide!
• Offer to sponsor a family on a Buy Nothing or similar group. Set boundaries: how many people, and what can you do? Cash? Extra Costco supplies? Cooked meals? Everything helps.