When the World Feels Loud, Purpose Begins in the Kitchen

For the past few weeks, I’ve written to you about how we’re doing something bigger with My Mindful Kitchen. As the world gets noisier, we’re focusing our voice, making sure that a crystal-clear message rises above the noise:

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We have more power than we think – and we can make more impact than we might believe. We can start right where we are – our own homes, our own kitchens, our own communities – to care for ourselves, our families, and our planet.

Today, I want to unpack the idea that, even as we sit with the power to make this impact, we can still count on small changes and habits to drive it.

For years, I’ve said that small habits are all we need to create ripple effects into big change. We’ve seen that in everything from the rituals that allow us to take a breath and set an intentional tone in our kitchens, to the fact that food cooked with love tastes better.

Some wonderful news I have for you today: as we think about turning up the volume on our voices and taking a stand to change the world, we’re still sticking with those basics. We’re still thinking about small change.

Last week, I wrote to you that one of the things that gives me the most hope these days is how endlessly our phones have been ringing and our inboxes have been lighting up at the food pantry where I work, here in the Hudson Valley. It’s heartening and encouraging to see so many people coming together in the face of SNAP benefits being cancelled around our country.

So today, let’s talk about what those small actions can look like in this context! Today, I’ll share a few small actions you can take, no matter who or where you are, around this issue that affects so many people and that is so core to what we all care about.

If you’re brand new to the world of food assistance and security, one concrete action you can take this week is to learn more about the resources that already exist in your own community. Perhaps there are food banks or food pantries near you; perhaps they’re even looking for volunteers! Familiarize yourself with what they do, what they offer, and – of course – what help they might need… particularly as their operations may be up in the air.

Some of you might already be familiar with, or even involved in, your local food pantries. For you, I want to share that I run a Fill A Box, Feed A Family campaign through my own food bank. If you already have connections with organizations in your community (like a workplace, or a church), you might consider leading a food drive. Reach out if you want to learn more.

Beyond (of course) being the right thing to do, this is also a wonderful activity to complete as a family! It teaches values in action – something no lecture can ever hope to replicate. You’ll also find that as you gain awareness from taking these actions, you’ll automatically begin to value what you already have, and waste less as a family.

Whatever you choose, know that helping these organizations lift and amplify their work is some of the most important work anyone can do at this specific moment. Know, too, that this is a practice, like so many other things. Taking some time this week to explore how you can make an impact on food-based organizations in your community will have ripple effects in the weeks and months to come.

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