Reasoning & Evidence
Between food insecurity, food waste, and other issues, there are countless ways to work with others to build a more sustainable, equitable, and just food system. Volunteering facilitates social interaction, builds social support, and diversifies one’s social network.(94–96) While research has demonstrated the potential for volunteering to address social isolation and loneliness, some studies suggest that the frequency and amount of time spent volunteering are determining factors. For example, one 12-year longitudinal study among older adults found that volunteering more than 100 hours per year reduced risks of loneliness by 45%, while there was no impact among those who volunteered for less than 100 hours.(97) Another found that volunteering at least once per month contributed to greater social activity than non-volunteers.(98) Volunteering can also have a multiplier effect on social connection, sparking new relationships that lead to further engagement in the community.(99) Mutual aid—broadly defined as the act of community members exchanging time, resources, and services between each other to meet common needs—has also been found to decrease a fear of future isolation among older adults.(100)
From preparing meals for those in need to diverting food surplus at grocery stores from landfills, consider how you can create and participate in opportunities to volunteer and facilitate mutual aid through food and nutrition.
Examples of Community Implementation
Meals on Wheels programs (various): Through delivering nutritious meals and friendly calling/visiting programs, Meals on Wheels volunteers are lifelines for homebound older adults. Such relationships are mutually transformative, with older adults receiving companionship and volunteers benefiting from a sense of fulfillment by meaningfully contributing to their communities.
The YMCA (national): Between mobile food markets, afterschool and summer meals, and community dinners, YMCAs across the country offer several opportunities to volunteer in service of food security and nutrition education. Preparing and distributing meals both tackles hunger and brings families together, particularly those that lack access to healthy meals.
Chicago, Illinois: Love Fridge Chicago is a mutual aid initiative that operates 25+ community refrigerators across the city. Operating with a culture of trust, community members are encouraged to provide what they can and take what they need. Volunteers ensure that the initiative runs smoothly by making sure fridges continue to be temperature-controlled and clean.
Reference: The SOCIAL Framework Report: Food and Nutrition Sector