Spirit of Giving: Mitigating Food Insecurity During the Holidays and Beyond
In this Christmas season and time of reflection over the past year, many people find themselves with a giving spirit—whether that comes through donating toys, clothing, money, or food. Rooted in our Christian values, we are called to help those who are struggling.
Kathryn Janda-Thomte, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health in Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, has taken a vested interest in food insecurity mitigation and improving healthy food access to promote health equity in underserved communities.
“Food insecurity is not just defined as the inability to provide food for you and your household,” Janda-Thomte said. “It also encompasses not being able to get an adequate amount of food, the foods that you desire to eat not being attainable, and not being able to acquire food in socially acceptable ways.”
In 2023, 13.5% of households in the United States experienced food insecurity, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. When confronted with this staggering number, wondering how to help is natural. There are many ways to approach mitigating food insecurity whether it be through local, state, or nation-wide means.
“I think that when you look at the main constructs that are often intervened upon, there are areas of access, utilization, stability over time, and availability,” Janda-Thomte said. “Each of these constructs can be viewed from different lenses, from a local to a national scale. Some local ways that people can help include advocating for affordable food resources being built in their community, as well as contacting food banks and food pantries to find out what they need. If money or food are not something that you can give, giving your time, energy, and skills to help these groups can make all the difference.”
While the Christmas season brings out the giving spirit, food insecurity is something people are challenged with year-round. One avenue to help is to get involved with local food banks. Food pantries and other charitable food systems often have volunteer opportunities throughout the year and are always ready to accept donations.
“The holidays are a great time to be thinking about how we can be more giving, but I would love us to be a little bit more challenged to think of this, not just over the holidays, but at other times as well,” Janda-Thomte said. “If donations are not something that's super feasible right now, maybe you can make a New Year's resolution about getting involved in a local nonprofit, serving on a Food Policy Board, or another group serving your community. Ultimately, we should be thinking through how to have that be a part of our regular everyday life, as opposed to just an annual activity.”
Getting involved can be as simple as sending an email to ask what an organization needs. So, as Christmas Day approaches and we ready ourselves to celebrate Christ’s birth, let us embody his teachings and do what we can for those in need. Below, we have included a list of resources for those who feel called to help:
Resources:
- Caritas of Waco
- PADD Waco: Hands of Mercy Food Pantry
- Shepherd’s Heart
- Salvation Army of Waco: Food Pantry
- United Way
- World Hunger Relief
- Central Texas Food Bank