Whether you’re a whiz in the kitchen or simply want to sharpen your skills in the new year, making a nutritious meal for your neighbors can be a fun way to give back! Simply scope out a healthy recipe, whip it up, and package it for easy consumption. Not only will you add a new healthy dish to your arsenal, but you’ll help bring some hearty joy to those around you. It’s also a great way to reduce food waste! If you’re all kale’d out, don’t let those veggies go bad, throw them in a dish for a friend instead.
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If you’re an active person, you may want to consider doing a fundraiser that channels your athletic prowess to raise money for causes you believe in. We recently interviewed David Kilgore, who ran 71 miles across all five boroughs of New York City to raise money for Food Bank. When asked what motivated him to give back in such a big way, he told us: “I think everyone has gifts/special abilities and if we… share those with one another, we will continue to make this great city even greater!”
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Know someone who’s trying to get fit in 2021? Then help them develop a workout plan they’ll actually be able to maintain. New Year’s resolutions are notorious for going south by January’s end, so creating a solid (and accessible) fitness roadmap can do wonders for someone’s goals. You can plot it out on a weekly or monthly basis, or simply give them ideas for different exercises they can try.
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If you want to kick your fitness philanthropy up a notch, volunteer to be a burgeoning athlete’s gym buddy. Having a pal at hand can make things a lot less intimidating for newbies, especially if they don’t know their deadlifts from their lunge jumps. Plus, it’s a great way to hold someone accountable for the goals they set, and we all know accountability is the key to serious personal change.
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Did you know we here at Food Bank For New York City have a pretty stringent nutrition policy when it comes to the food donations we accept at our pantry and kitchen? These guidelines are in place to ensure that we’re always able to serve our clients healthy and nutrient-rich meals. A fantastic way to step up your hunger advocacy is to review this policy and think about the kinds of resources you donate to organizations like ours. TL;DR If you wouldn’t eat it, we probably won’t take it.
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Another fun way to engage in some healthy activism is to teach a virtual cooking class. Maybe you gather your friends and family together for a series of Zoom tutorials or sign up to teach folks basic kitchen skills through a local community center or pantry. A skill-share like this can make a lasting impact in somebody’s life, especially at a time when it’s easy to feel disconnected from other people.
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And last but not least, if you’re thinking of giving up a vice in the new year, consider swapping it out for an act of giving instead. For example, you could take the $5 you would normally spend on your daily mocha double shot espresso whip surprise and put it toward an organization (like… maybe ours?!) Though it may seem like an insignificant shift, the coins will really add up over time!
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