Elric Centers’ Post

The Ray of Hope Marketplace Food Hamper program, in partnership with The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, empowers families to choose the groceries they need. This fosters a sense of dignity and respect while providing access to healthy food options. Open Monday-Thursday (11:30 AM - 2:00 PM), the Marketplace creates a welcoming space where families can browse fresh produce, pantry staples, and other essential items – all tailored to dietary preferences and cultural backgrounds (as supplies last). Your Support Makes a Difference: * Increased Access to Healthy Food: We believe everyone deserves nutritious options. * Empowering Choices: The Marketplace allows families to choose what works best for them. * Building a Hopeful Community: Together, we're creating a space where hope thrives, one grocery box at a time. #RayofHope #FoodSecurity #CommunityCare #YourDonationMatters

Registration has launched for our upcoming SAFSF On the Road event! Join us on Thursday, November 14 in Detroit, MI for Health and Wealth: Fostering Healthy Communities and Economic Self-Determination through Food Systems. Frontline communities of color have disproportionately suffered huge disparities in health and wealth due to multiple layers of systemic barriers. For every $100 in wealth white Americans hold, Black Americans only hold $15, and Black and Indigenous children are 2-3 times more likely to be food insecure than white families. Community-led solutions in food, health, environment, and climate offer significant potential for addressing these disparities. Over the past two decades, a number of food justice and food access initiatives have evolved from focusing primarily on access to healthy food to complex economic development and built environment projects developed by BIPOC-led organizations. These initiatives aim to improve food access and health outcomes through models of community self-determination, economic development, and wealth creation. This one-day event will explore the question: How can funding for food access, nutrition, and health equity support community self-determination and ignite equitable food economies? We will explore the intersection of health equity, economic development, and food justice to close racial wealth gaps through community-led approaches. Specifically, we will explore and learn from models of healthy food projects, organizations, and networks that focus on community ownership and asset-building led by and for people of color in and from frontline communities. The event takes place at the Detroit Food Commons (Detroit People's Food Co-op), a groundbreaking 30,000-square-foot multi-use facility with a community-owned grocery store, which was conceived of and built by the DETROIT BLACK COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY NETWORK INC (DBCFSN). Attendees will learn about DBCFSN’s powerful community organizing that led to raising $21 million to build the Detroit Food Commons, and how similar models are emerging across the country. Funders focused on health, community development, and food systems are invited to join us in exploring how we can resource and support communities addressing food and nutrition security through more just and sovereign food economies. Space is limited—so secure your spot today! REGISTER: https://lnkd.in/evZDCuJ2

🌍 Supporting Community Health Through Foodservice Innovation 🥗 At Galley, our mission goes beyond just optimizing kitchen operations. In early 2020, we partnered with O’side Kitchen Collaborative (OKC) in Oceanside, CA, to launch an emergency meal response for isolated elderly and food-insecure individuals—highlighting our dedication to the community. With our Culinary Resource Planning (CRP) platform, we equipped OKC and many others like Meals on Wheels People and Open Arms of Minnesota to ensure nutritional accuracy, efficiency, and seamless kitchen workflows. This isn’t just about meal delivery—it’s about providing meals that are crucial to health and healing. 💡 Discover how technology is empowering these organizations to reduce food waste, meet nutritional standards, and streamline operations—making every meal count where it's needed most. 🍽️ 🔗 Read the full blog here: https://hubs.ly/Q02R8CVm0 #FoodAsMedicine #CommunitySupport #TechForGood #CulinaryInnovation #FoodserviceSolutions #MealsOnWheels #FeedingAmerica

In our white paper, “Uniting on Food Justice: An Innovative Approach from a Health and Human Service Organization,” we examine how #foodsecurity can play a crucial role in reducing health disparities and supporting community wellbeing. We have found that access to nutritious, affordable food is directly linked to wellness outcomes, especially for underserved populations. S:US continues to pioneer strategies to address these disparities, including #urbanfarming, food distribution through #communityfridge programs, and community partnerships that strengthen local food systems. A collaborative community approach is necessary to engage both public and private sectors to tackle New York City’s food insecurity, to promote sustainability, and to build more equitable communities. Through these efforts, we aim to create sustainable solutions that secure #foodjustice for all.

Food security and housing stability go hand-in-hand. At AHA, we know that having reliable access to nutritious food is essential for building a stable life. When people aren’t worried about their next meal, they’re better able to focus on maintaining stable housing and other long-term goals. Here’s how we help support food security alongside housing services: 🤝 Connection to Food Resources: We connect individuals with local food pantries, meal programs, and CalFresh benefits to ensure they have access to healthy, reliable food sources. 📋 Financial Guidance: By helping our clients budget for groceries and manage food costs, we empower them to make sustainable choices that support both their health and housing. 🌍 Collaborative Community Support: AHA partners with local organizations to ensure that food security resources are available to those we serve, strengthening our community as a whole. Together, we can create pathways to stability that go beyond housing. If you’re a partner organization or would like to support our mission, let’s connect. www.aha-inc.org #FoodSecurity #HousingStability #LosAngeles

It’s World Food Day 🌍, and this year’s theme, “food for a better life and a better future,” speaks directly to our mission at Bento (gobento.com).   According to the United Nations, there are MORE THAN three quarters of a BILLION people facing hunger around the world. That’s absurd! We know creating a real impact can start small, “Help One, Help Many,” so that’s what we did. When we launched Bento (formerly Hunger: Not Impossible), we were on a mission to eliminate food insecurity. Today, we’re connecting thousands of vulnerable community members across California with medically tailored groceries – addressing both food insecurity and chronic health conditions they are more likely to face. We believe everyone should have access to nutritious food and the opportunity to lead a healthy life. We’re so proud to be doing our part, one meal at a time.  #WorldFoodDay #FoodAsMedicine 

Let’s discuss food security. Did you know that over 14% of Manitobans face Household Food Insecurity? Over 1 in 5 children across Manitoba does not have enough food to eat. How can we ensure that everyone can access healthy food that respects sustainability, culture, and dignity? By working together, we can strive for a future where everyone has reliable access to nutritious food. How can we ensure our community experiences food security? Thrive Community Support Circle focuses on enhancing community well-being and supporting individuals at every stage of life. We offer hot meals every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 am, and we engage with community members by offering information that enables access to other available resources. For more information, please visit our website at https://lnkd.in/eVTbnmH Together, we can reduce hunger and cultivate healthier, happier communities. 💚 Sources: Food Matters Manitoba, PROOF (University of Toronto) #ThriveCommunitySupportCircle #FoodInsecurity #FoodSecurity

Illinois EATS (Equitable Access Towards Sustainable Systems) will disperse nearly $29 million to address food insecurity in Illinois. As a West Side health collaborative focused on addressing health inequities, Wellness West applauds the state's efforts. We're tackling social determinants of health like food insecurity every day with our Food Connections program, partnering with Instacart Health's Fresh Funds and local grocery stores. Benefits are available to eligible Wellness West patients who qualify. As a healthcare collaborative making an impact on this issue, we know how important access to healthy food is to our communities, and we welcome complementary efforts like Illinois https://lnkd.in/gHiWa4q7. #foodinsecurity #sdoh #heathequity #IllinoisEATD #wellnesswest

September is Hunger Action Month. One in four adults in the US experienced food insecurity in 2023, and that number has been going up over the past few years. But did you know that food security is more than just handing out meals? It’s actually eight different outcomes, ranging from a meal, to eating more healthfully, to improving the food distribution network. It’s critical that we get specific about which of those we’re solving for, so we can be realistic about what it takes and how much it costs. Learn how to get precise with your food security outcomes in our new white paper. Impact Genome #HungerActionMonth #philanthropy #socialimpact #foodsecurity #outcomes #hungerrelief

“Changing eating habits isn’t just about food—it’s about preserving culture and identity.” When we talk about changing eating habits, especially within cultures where community and food are deeply intertwined, the conversation must be sensitive and gentle. Food is not just sustenance; it’s a cornerstone of identity, tradition, and community connection. Suggesting changes can feel like asking someone to give up a piece of their heritage. As healthcare providers, it’s crucial to approach these conversations with empathy and respect. We need to communicate that our goal is not to strip away cultural identity, but to enhance it by finding healthier alternatives that still honor tradition. It’s about creating a balance—maintaining the cultural significance of food while also promoting longevity and quality of life. When I speak with patients, I emphasize that we can work together to find ways to keep the essence of their cultural eating habits. We can explore healthier recipes, portion control, and incorporating nutritious ingredients that don’t sacrifice flavor or tradition. This way, we preserve the joy and connection that food brings to their lives, while also fostering better health outcomes. Changing eating habits should feel like gaining something valuable—better health, more energy, and a longer life to enjoy those meaningful moments with loved ones. It’s about building a bridge between cultural preservation and health promotion. Let’s strive to support our patients in making these adjustments in a way that feels respectful and empowering. By doing so, we honor their identity and community while promoting better health. Sweatshirts may be purchased to support The 15 White Coats at www.15WC.org and please tell your friends about our nonprofit that is helping in every way to diversify healthcare through scholarships. The best part is that none of us as leaders of this organization get paid, and all of us are minority physicians! #CulturalCompetence #HealthEquity #PatientCare #HealthyEating #CommunityHealth #DiversityInHealthcare #FoodAndCulture #Nutrition #EmpathyInHealthcare #BlackMenInMedicine