Food Finders’ Advocacy Council will meet monthly and focus on legislation, education and outreach.
A Long Beach-based nonprofit that has been working to reduce food insecurity since 1989 is inviting the community to join its efforts through its newly organized Advocacy Council.
Food Finders’ work is spread throughout Long Beach, including regular grocery deliveries to seniors and families, food pantries located in multiple locations throughout the community, and its popular Food Rescue Program. The nonprofit worked with volunteers to save 16,151,873 pounds of food in 2023 by picking up meals and groceries from restaurants, grocers and local schools then using those supplies to stock pantries and deliver food to people in need.
Residents are now invited to volunteer with Food Finders to find the “root cause of food insecurity” and advocate for change that eliminates hunger and food waste.
The Food Finders Advocacy Council will be made up of five sub-committees:
- Research
- Social media and marketing
- Community outreach and events
- Lobbying legislators and government leaders
- Environmental
Volunteers will focus on legislation that involves food waste and hunger, educate the community on the legislation as well as actionable solutions, advocate for change with legislators and spotlight neighboring organizations with similar goals.
The council was created by two Cal State Long Beach students and Food Finders Community Outreach and Advocacy Interns, Anna Mahoney and Teresa Falcon. The two have been working with Food Finders since August and formed the council in hopes of turning the “abstract” advocacy work of nonprofits into something tangible that residents can participate in, Falcon said.
“A main goal is to make systemic changes through government advocacy,” Mahoney said. “Another goal is to make sure what we’re doing is community-informed by working with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.”
The nonprofit hopes to recruit at least 25 local residents to join the Advocacy Council. People with first-hand experience with food insecurity will be given first priority in joining. Volunteers are expected to spend at least 10 hours per month with the council.
During monthly meetings, all Advocacy Council members will vote on initiatives and projects, review progress reports, participate in workshops and learn more about food insecurity, nutrition and food waste. Most of the work will take place in the sub-committees.
Falcon said the pair drew many lessons and inspiration from the Oregon Food Bank, which prioritizes lived experiences for their advocacy council.
“They’re the ones that have experience not having access to food or having access to housing,” Falcon said. “In advocating to legislators, or for specific policies we want individuals who have experienced these issues.”
People interested in joining the Advocacy Council can either apply for an ambassador position or a volunteer position. Ambassadors will help lead monthly meetings, create the legislative agenda and determine projects, events and initiatives.
Requirements for Advocacy Council ambassadors include:
- Have a lived experience with food insecurity
- Be at least 16 years old
- Be able to commit at least 10 hours a month
- Attend monthly general meetings
- Attend monthly ambassador meetings
Volunteers will be focused on their respective task force, asked to attend general monthly meetings and donate at least eight hours a month.
Residents interested in applying to the council can do so through this online form.
The next Food Finders Advocacy Council meeting is open to the public and will take place on April 24 at 5:30 p.m. Residents can attend through Zoom or in-person, and can receive the meeting link and more information about the council by contacting either Mahoney (amahoney@foodfinders.org) or Falcon (tfalcon@foodfinders.org).
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