Food pantry gleaning programs are mutually beneficial for food pantries and farmers. Gleaning allows for unmarketable produce to be given to someone who needs it instead of going into a landfill. Like most people, many farmers do not know that some food pantries will ecstatically…
At IRC Seattle, a food system orientation is a service provided for newly arrived refugees, asylees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, and other immigrants. The purpose of the orientation is to help IRC clients navigate the industrial food system in the United States..
Like any other in-kind or monetary donors, the farmers giving the food bank fresh produce need to feel that the (literal) fruits of their labor are appreciated. Just because a farmer donates once to a food pantry does not necessarily mean they will donate again….
A great way to recruit volunteers while at an established non-profit is to pull from the organization’s networks. Volunteers that are already dedicated to the organization may be looking for additional ways to help. These are people that are reliable and vetted over months/ years…
The International Rescue Committee resettles and integrates refugees, asylees, and other immigrants from all over the world. Many of these new Americans bring a wealth of knowledge about agriculture and farming, and it is important to allow space for this knowledge in garden education programming. Here are some tips for how to make space for traditional knowledge in community garden spaces..
The International Rescue Committee resettles and integrates refugees, asylees, and other immigrants from all over the world. It is crucial to be able to communicate across cultures in a way that is empowering and respectful. Here are some helpful tips for navigating intercultural communication..
There are positives and negatives to marketing and visibility strategies for a small program situated within a large company. On the positive side, New Roots has access to the many avenues through which the IRC promotes itself and its clients, including Facebook posts, email blasts, and community events. Often, IRC programs..
Donation needs for New Roots often center around the emergency food pantry, and garden supplies. The IRC receives a great deal of community support, and the Development team often receives offers from community members and companies for donations to certain programs..
The New Roots program has the benefit of access to the IRC’s volunteer and communications systems, the most notable of which are a large existing pool of on-call community volunteers and a dedicated Volunteer Specialist who manages requests for volunteers..
Good Cheer uses a variety of methods to keep the organization visible to the community. Social media is a quick, simple way to tell stories and generate interest in volunteering or donating..