We Are Seeds: #8 of 10
Action Item 8: Support Local Food Pantries!
In 2020, there was 40.7 million tons of food waste in the US, or about 1 pound per person per day, while food insecurity in the US doubled between 2019 (13.6% of households with children) and 2020 (27.5% of households with children), due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local food pantries, already vital services before March 2020, became essential for many households, and took CDC precautions to continue providing boxes of food, medication, masks and hand sanitizer, and ready-to-eat meals to the community.
Through donations, volunteer work, and patronage, please support the work of:
- The River (2201 Darwin Rd), which allows for proxy shoppers and some delivery options for households unable to travel to the east side location.
- St. Vincent de Paul (2033 Fish Hatchery Rd), which also operates a low/no-cost pharmacy for uninsured individuals.
- Community Fridges (E Johnson and Brearly AND 29 S Mills St), which allow community members to take and donate food on a “take what you need, leave what you can” basis, with some health restrictions.
- Pop-up mobile food pantries at various City of Madison elementary schools and community centers.
Why is this sustainable?
Sustain Dane estimates that almost half of Dane County residents feel “stress in meeting basic needs”. Food pantries help community members not have to choose between food and rent, medical expenses, transportation, or any other necessary expenses. They are also available on different hours and days of the week as well as providing some delivery and proxy options, which accommodate different work schedules.
#weareseedshunt
Thank you so much for participating in We Are Seeds, the sustainability-conscious scavenger hunt by T.L. Luke here in Madison, WI! This event is part of Winter is Alive! a cooler world carnival (a city-wide, multi-disciplinary event fusing art and spectacle to revision climate change and activate a global relationship) in an effort to educate the community about local sustainable action items and to highlight 50 local small businesses who have gone above and beyond during this pandemic.
This event will be going on from February 12th - March 7th, 2021.
Business Locations
- Giant Jones Brewing Company - Marquette Neighborhood - The first certified organic business of its type in Madison, get flavorful products here to "capture your imagination and your heart"!
- Banzo - Sherman Terrace Neighborhood - Who doesn't like falafel? If you put your hand up, this clue isn't for you. Locally-sourced, delicious, and available ready-made or ready-to-bake!
- Zip-Dang - Dudgeon-Monroe Neighborhood - Stay comfortable and fashionable with these "small batch" products you wear instead of drink!
- Hawk's - Downtown Neighborhood - The unsung voice pinch-hitter for Hollywood bald eagles, with a separate whiskey menu!
- Gotham Bagels - Downtown Neighborhood - Come for the delicious smells, stay for "the finest pickles in the country"! These sandwiches corner the market without any corners.
Heads up, some of these decals have been stolen off of storefronts throughout the hunt. You may have even guessed our clues accurately but still didn't find the decal, and that sucks! But, it's not the businesses' faults, so please still show them your support! Thank you!
Credits
Illustrator & We Are Seeds Organizer: T.L. Luke
We Are Seeds Collaborator: Madison's Central Business Improvement District and City of Madison
Winter is Alive! Organizers: Tamsie Ringler, Bethany Jurewicz, and Karin Wolf
Sustainability Wisdom: Sustain Dane
Decal Fabricator: Billy Goat Graphics (Madison, WI)
T.L.'s Executive Assistant & Researcher: Eli Watson
"They buried us, but they didn't know we were seeds." - Dinos Christianopoulos