Neighbors in Need: A Simple Way to Make a Big Difference

My plan for today was to review the final draft of a book review I’m working on and then publish it, but my heart is pulling me toward writing about something more important: hunger relief.

As you all know, politicians in Washington, D.C. are fighting each other, cutting budgets, and working on legislation that is supposedly going to save trillions of dollars. But we know that the citizens of this country—and, for that matter, people around the world—are unlikely to see the benefit of those savings. So it’s really up to us, the regular citizens, to support each other—especially those in need.

There are two causes I’m fully committed to supporting financially. One is Refuge for Women – Chicago, an organization that provides support to women escaping human trafficking or sexual exploitation. The other is the River Bend Food Bank, which collects, stores, and distributes food through more than 400 hunger-relief partners in 23 counties across eastern Iowa and western Illinois.

I visited the River Bend Food Bank a couple of months ago and received a tour of their facility, along with a brief overview of their operations. The work that a handful of full-time employees and an army of volunteers are doing is amazing. During my visit, the Director of Donor Relations explained how donations and volunteering work. Donations come in two forms: food and money. Food donations from grocery stores are an essential element, but in many cases, the majority of what’s donated isn’t very nutritious. I saw dozens of pallets of sugary sports drinks, cereals, and snacks—but not a lot of vegetables, fruits or healthy foods. There were about four pallets of fresh raspberries, and the team was excited to distribute them to local pantries.

That’s where monetary donations come into play. Money allows the food bank to purchase vegetables, fruits, and meats at a low cost through agreements they’ve established with local vendors.

To reduce overhead and make more funds available for food purchases, they rely heavily on volunteers rather than hiring more full- or part-time employees. The savings are redirected toward buying more food.

My local food bank recently shared the following update, a direct result of the budget cuts enacted by the federal government. I’m sure other places are in a similar situation—or worse.

“In the past few months alone, we’ve experienced a 7% drop in federal food commodities, totaling nearly $650,000 in lost resources. Food donations are down 30%, while the need across our service area has surged 35%.”

Decisions made by people in our government—many of whom have been disconnected from the real world for far too long—are not only affecting the resources going to food banks across the country, but also impacting grocery stores, which are struggling with high prices and tariffs, and everyday citizens like you and me, who are trying to adjust and absorb the consequences of these unwise decisions. All of this is affecting donations to food banks and, ultimately, the people in need. 

Now, I understand some people will say that elections have consequences—and that’s definitely true.

Others might say people should have planned their lives better, and that if someone is suffering or can’t support themselves or their family, it’s their own fault. But at this point, I want to challenge you to look beyond your personal worldview and consider the many circumstances that could be affecting people and their families.

It could be a woman who escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation and is now starting from scratch. It could be a mother left to raise her children alone after the father abandoned the family. Or it could be a family dealing with a catastrophic medical issue that wiped out their savings, leaving them struggling to make ends meet.

There are countless reasons why people fall on hard times, and most have little to do with choices made in their youth.

My ask today—really, my plea—is for you to take a moment to evaluate your finances and available time. If you’re able, please reach out to your local food bank. Donate money or volunteer your time to help those in need.

In my area, $1 provides 5 meals, thanks to partnerships that allow food banks to purchase items at about $0.05 per pound.

So even just $1 can make a meaningful impact in your community.

If you’re in the United States, you can find your nearest food bank or pantry here:

For my international friends: please consider supporting your local agencies, or visit UNICEF at https://www.unicef.org/

I hope this post touched your heart today. After giving it some thought, I hope you’ll be willing to support the food banks in your community.

We may not have much influence over what governments—here or abroad—are doing right now, but we absolutely have the power to help those around us in meaningful, tangible ways.

75 thoughts on “Neighbors in Need: A Simple Way to Make a Big Difference”

  2. Such a powerful and important message 🙏 The work you’re supporting is truly inspiring.

    On another note —- I’d love to send you a PDF or a copy of one of my books; I’d really appreciate your review and thoughts.

    Be Blessed and Continue to Be a Blessing.

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  3. I give to my church food bank every month. We’re all one step from poverty. One tragic event can change everything. People helped me when I needed assistance, and now I’m privileged and obligated to help others.

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  5. This is a great message. And with a sad reasoning: that the organizations that help people in need may be in need themselves because of governmental budget cuts. Thanks for spreading this encouragement, Edward.

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  7. Thanks for this touching reminder, Edward. We donate to our local food bank, and it all began when our son was in Boy Scouts years ago. We’ve continued to do so though. So many are in need, and you’re right, it’s easy to pass judgement, but everyone has a story, and there are a plethora of reasons why people fall on hard times. The bottom line is to help others…thank you for sharing.

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  8. These are both wonderful causes! It gives me joy that you visited the Food bank as well, as most people just give to a cause not really knowing what their funds are doing. With so many causes that are not true causes, I am glad you found ones you believe in and are helping!

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  9. Our politicians don’t care as they make their cutbacks which affect those most in need of help.
    We have a food bank in town, and our local supermarkets have ‘bins’ for donated items, some even for pets. When I got my first £10 Christmas bonus for being a pensioner, I filled a basket with basic foods we’d usually buy for ourselves and put it in the food bank donations bin.
    A bakers outlet here takes all their unsold pies,pastries, cakes, sandwiches, whatever, to the homeless shelter.
    Hubby and I used to buy coffee and a hot pastry for one homeless guy we got talking to, until we heard him telling a different story then after that person had given him a few pounds, noticed he had a huge wad of money and the latest smartphone. It showed the side of the professional beggar who is denying someone else a lifeline.

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    1. Absolutely! Acts like the ones you’re describing are great examples of things we can do every day to help those in need in our communities. As for your last comment, I’ve also encountered a few of those situations occasionally, and it’s really sad to see that happening. Those actions can make potential donors think twice before giving and like you said, they could end up denying someone else a lifeline. Thank you for reading and commenting.

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  10. Deeply touched, yes. In “the land of plenty,” no one should ever go hungry. Or anywhere for that matter! Thank you for the empathy and broader awareness you bring to this troubling situation. A sensitive and motivating call to action and good of you to take a tour of your local food bank. 🙏🏻

    P.S. I had to reread your first sentence because I thought I read, “review the final draft of a book I’m working on” 📝

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  13. A very humanitarian post, Edward! Not only a call for attention to bad governmental management but also, and mostly, a call for action that can truly change lives. That can make a difference in practical terms, independent of bigger schemes. These two points rang my bells: “Decisions made by people in our government—many of whom have been disconnected from the real world for far too long” and “We may not have much influence over what governments—here or abroad—are doing right now, but we absolutely have the power to help those around us in meaningful, tangible ways.” Powerful statements that touch the real problem and highlight the straightforward solution. Delegating the help to others, especially governments, is to postpone and even hinder people’s lives. Strong and inspiring message, my friend! Loved your approach! In appreciation and gratitude, sending blessings and light your way 🙏✨

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    1. Thank you so much, my friend. I really appreciate your comments, and I definitely believe we can do more to help our community especially now, as governments around the world continue to cut funding to various aid programs.

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    1. I know. It’s hard to believe until you talk to the staff running these places and see the amazing job they do coordinating with different vendors to get the best value for the money. Thank you, Ana. 🙏🏽

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  17. Thank you so much for the post, Ed, and sharing your heart. I have been torn about where to give. The online churches haven’t motivated me much and I hadn’t thought about the food banks. It is definitely a place for me to start making another kind of difference.

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    1. You’re very welcome, Sandra. I think food banks are the perfect place to donate. They reach a lot of people, and I just learned during my visit to our food bank that they even provide for food pantries at low-income apartment complexes for seniors who lack resources, transportation and have mobility issues.

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  18. Thank you, Edward, for addressing these important issues.
    There’s a transitional residential home near here that serves female youth between the ages of 16 and 20, who have experienced sexual exploitation. It is named in memory of a coworker who was a foster parent for many years, an enrolled band member of the Leech Lake reservation, and was raised in foster care as a young girl. She was an inspiring woman.
    It is troubling times for food shelves, financial support is down, while need is increasing. Monetary donations are the most effective means of supporting food shelves. I appreciate your explanation of how extenuating situations can lead someone to need the services of the food shelf. It’s rarely a matter of ‘better planning’, nor does it help to blame people for actions out of their control.
    It’s frustrating that politics makes it appear that caring about others is a weakness or a crime.

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    1. Thank you, Rose. It sounds like they are providing a vital service. I definitely agree with you that monetary donations are the way to go so they can purchase nutritious foods. As for the politics, I definitely don’t understand sometimes how politicians can be so callous once elected. They get blinded by power, and all they care about is continuing to get elected.

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  19. Complex issues: hunger and human trafficking. Compassion and urgent action are needed worldwide. These are difficult times. A hug 🕊️

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  20. I love this heartfelt post about how to provide meaningful and tangible assistance. The drop of federal funding plus the rise in need – that creates some heartbreaking gaps. Thanks, Edward!

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  21. I am fortunate enough to belong to a UU Fellowship that donates half of the collection every week to a local charity. This month it is the DV Shelter, last it was the Bread Line a local soup kitchen that feeds the disadvantaged next month who knows. Also, in our small town we include food/ cash/ sock drives with our recent protests, so not only does our message get out, but the vulnerable in or community get taken care of too.
    I have to give Alaska, or at least my little corner of it a real hand for being giving socially mindful people.
    I loved your message here, Edward.

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  22. I second Liz’s comment. This is a great call to action. As you correctly point out, most of us have been fortunate. But I know I can look back in my life and see moments where if things hadn’t worked out for me, if I had lost a job, or if I had taken a different course of action, I might not have been as fortunate as I’ve been. I think we all need to take a step back and have empathy for others who haven’t had the same chances as us. Thanks for raising this up!

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    1. Thank you for this comment, Brian. It’s so important for us to cultivate empathy and, like you said, take a step back to assess our environment and support those in need. I still remember going with my mom to get government assistance when I was little—dry milk, cereal, and “government cheese,” as we used to call it, are still fresh in my mind. This cause is close to my heart.

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      1. It’s a great cause. And I think your post is well timed. We went grocery shopping this weekend and I definitely noticed a spike in prices. Folks living on the edge are definitely going to be affected by everything that’s happening in the news. Thanks again.

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  24. Thank you, thank you, thank you. The need is real. I know I’m falling behind in reading and writing tasks right now in order to lean into volunteerism. It’s just necessary. Grateful to know you, Edward. ❤️

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  25. What an important message, Edward. You really are a good person. I decided several years ago to concentrate most of my giving locally. I give monthly to 4 local charities that provide food and hot meals to people in need. They can always use more, and I’m speaking from a country where social supports aren’t being methodically cut back, it’s just that there’s always more need than resources. Follow Edward’s lead: there are food banks, homeless shelters that provide meals, church outreach programs, food banks, lots of places in need of volunteers and donations. 💕

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    1. Thank you so much, Jane. You’re absolutely right—they can always use more help, both financially and through volunteer work. I also shifted to local charities because I didn’t like the finances of some national organizations. CEOs are getting way too much money. Now, I check financial reports to make sure funds are being allocated correctly.

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  26. Amazing and thoughtful post, Edward. Truly. ❤️ With your provided link, I looked up my local food bank and donated.

    Trafficking here in Texas is at an all time high. There are signs in every rest stop on the highway, cautioning women on going to the bathroom alone or even walking too far from your car to stretch your legs. The world is a dark, scary place sometimes.

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    1. Thank you so much for that donation. 🙏🏼Trafficking is evil—there’s no other word to describe it. I was supporting an organization in El Paso (EPCARE), but they had to close, and they recommended Refuge for Women, so I started supporting them.

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    1. That’s awesome, Brad. So much needed. I had been supporting Feeding America for a while, but I switched to my local food bank, there’s just something about the CEO earning almost a million dollars that didn’t sit right with me. I’m okay with a CEO earning $100K–$200K because you want to attract quality candidates, but $900K is absurd. That’s the problem with some of these organizations, you have to keep an eye on their finances to make sure donations are going to the right places, if you know what I mean.

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  31. Great reminder! In some people’s eyes, the ultimate key to satisfaction is giving of yourself, whether it’s time, money ortangible items.

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