How Urban Foragers Are Making a Difference: Donating to Food Banks During SNAP Uncertainty

Community Support: The Impact of Urban Foraging

In Pasadena, California, food benefits for over 40 million Americans are set to be restored soon. However, many families have faced difficult weeks without support. In this context, local food banks and community fridges have become lifelines for those in need.

One such supporter is Eva Umana. Known online as @NeighborhoodFruitPicker, she has transformed her passion for urban foraging into a mission to help others. Eva’s journey began during the pandemic when she noticed that many fruit trees in her neighborhood were going untouched. She decided to act.

“I posted on Nextdoor, offering to help anyone who needed fruit picked,” she recalls. The response was overwhelming. Many neighbors couldn’t harvest their fruit due to age or lack of time. Seeing this need, Eva started picking and distributing the surplus to her community.

Eva’s good deeds didn’t stop there. She took it a step further by creating a free food pantry on her block. This mini pantry operates like a “little free library,” but instead of books, it offers fresh fruit. Her project grew into a larger network, connecting to LA Community Fridges, which are volunteer-run refrigerators available to everyone, day or night.

“I like to leave it better than I find it,” she explains while cleaning one of these fridges. This commitment has provided fresh produce to many Californians relying on programs like SNAP, known locally as CalFresh. Eva introduces people to fruits they’ve never tried, strengthening local food connections.

Interestingly, community initiatives like this have surged lately. According to a recent survey, 75% of Americans believe that local support networks are more critical than government aid in times of crisis. Eva embodies this notion, stating, “It brings me joy. I may not get paid, but I feel rich when helping others.”

Her message is clear: it’s time to take care of one another. The work of individuals like Eva is vital, showcasing the power of community resilience in challenging times. For more on local food endeavors, check out the LA Community Fridges.

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