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With the support of their AmeriCorps VISTA Member, Jen Roberts, the Washington Gleaning Network (WGN) is expanding the scale of their outreach and the efficiency of their feedback mechanisms using a blended-medium campaign.

To increase stakeholder engagement and awareness for the Washington Gleaning Network, Jen recently led the launch of two new social media profiles on Instagram and Bluesky. These profiles include insightful information about network members, gleaning resources, and upcoming opportunities. Jen has also designed and uploaded mini-toolkits pertaining to community needs’ assessments, outreach design, and gleaning operations. The complete toolkit can be found here. As the WGN grows, these digital profiles will showcase its positive impacts, cultivate connections between Washington’s gleaning champions, and foster new local gleaning efforts across WA state.

Beyond its refurbished digital presence, the network will also develop its relationships with partners through in-person site visits. These visits will allow the WGN to connect, learn from, and encourage gleaning programs in their communities. Recently, the WGN met with Hopelink and discussed SNAP cuts as well as their successes and the feedback they had for the network. This meeting gave the Washington Gleaning Network the opportunity to hear first-hand the ways that gleaners have responded to recent events and challenges of the hunger relief world. They highlighted the contributions of their incredible volunteers and the hard work they do. This feedback from network members helps inform new initiatives and resources, as well as paint a better picture of how gleaning programs are doing across the state. Through our conversation with Hopelink, the WGN was able to emphasize the work they do through its various social media platforms. Overall, these new outreach initiatives will help to promote connection, collaboration, and growth for gleaning in Washington.

Jen Roberts is  the Engagement Specialist VISTA serving with the Washington Gleaning Network. The network seeks to support sustainable, equitable food systems that reduce food waste and support communities statewide.