Using pro bono service to address hunger
We’ve just closed Hunger Action Month, Feeding America network’s nationwide awareness campaign to take action on ending hunger. Whether or not you were able to get out and act, we encourage you to do so now. We all know that hunger is pervasive in both our backyard and abroad, but it can feel like an overwhelming challenge.
For many, acting may mean serving meals, donating groceries, or sorting food at a local food bank. But what if you could do something different? Something that utilized your core expertise and your professional skills. Let’s re-think what it means to fight hunger and food insecurity and start to consider our human capital as one of our greatest weapons.
Using pro bono service to address hunger and food security is not new, but it is needed. Here are some innovative examples of how individuals have used their business skills to help solve this pressing challenge:
- Toyota professionals create efficiencies of scale never before seen at The New York City Food Bank: Toyota has a core business principle, kaizen, (meaning “continuous improvement” that streamlines and enhances performance by optimizing flow and quality. In other words, the process creates efficiency by looking at new solutions for a process. What did this mean for The New York City Food Bank? It meant that after the Toyota team used the kaizen approach to evaluate The Food Bank?? current process, they were able to cut wait times for meals from 90 minutes to 18 minutes. (Full story in the NY Times.)
- Tyson Foods professionals create a comprehensive strategy for program evaluation for Purple Asparagus to promote healthy eating habits among kids: Purple Asparagus is changing the way children eat. Their Delicious Nutritious Adventures (DNA) program is an in-classroom, hands-on, nutrition education and whole food experience in line with Common Core teaching standards that brings healthy foods to life for elementary school children. The program doesn’t lend itself to simple measurable metrics. Using their expertise in marketing and evaluation, the Tyson Foods team is helping Purple Asparagus define their metrics, determine their survey audience and create an evaluation methodology and analysis process. With this pro bono support, Purple Asparagus will be better able to adapt their DNA program for success.
- Tyson Foods professionals help the Foodbank of Siouxland improve operational efficiency of their warehouse systems in order to respond to growing needs: Foodbank of Siouxland was established to provide a year-round source of food to nearly 125 member agencies, consisting of food pantries, emergency relief agencies, shelters, children’s homes, day care centers, rehabilitation programs, senior citizens centers and other outreach programs. Over the last decade Foodbank of Siouxland has doubled the volume of food distributed to area agencies from just over 1 million pounds per year to more than 2 million pounds per year. To respond to this increase, Tyson Foods experts are helping the Foodbank assess its current warehouse management practice and create a plan for improved operational efficiency. With this support, the Foodbank will be able to meet the rapidly growing need for its services.
Inspired? Here are a few things you can do now to contribute your expertise to help to end hunger and food insecurity.
- Put your Passion to Work: Visit Hunger Volunteer Connection to learn what you can do today to help solve hunger.
- FOR BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS: Sign up to Give your Skills: Create your profile on Taproot+, Taproot’s marketplace for pro bono service to start contributing your skills to organizations working to end hunger and food security.
- FOR NONPROFITS: Find your Expert: Taproot+, Taproot’s online marketplace for pro bono service, is a go-to resource for nonprofits to find skilled professionals looking to donate their expertise.
- FOR COMPANIES: Be a Part of the Solution: Taproot is hosting an invite-only event for companies interested in utilizing their human capital to ending hunger. Want to join us? Send a message to elizabeth@taprootfoundation.org and we’ll put you on the list!
Taproot is contributing to ending hunger and food insecurity by harnessing the use of human capital to solve this global challenge. Join us to harness one of our most valuable resources to solving this global issue: our expertise.
