Supporting Families Facing Food Insecurity – The Archewell Foundation

Report on The Archewell Foundation’s Response to Food Insecurity in the United States

Addressing Sustainable Development Goals Through Strategic Philanthropy

In response to the escalating food insecurity crisis across the United States, The Archewell Foundation has mobilized significant resources to support local communities. This initiative directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, and improve nutrition. The Foundation’s efforts also contribute to SDG 1 (No Poverty) by providing relief to families struggling with economic hardship and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by strengthening local support systems.

Strategic Partnerships to Advance SDG 2: Zero Hunger

The Archewell Foundation has issued emergency donations to key local partners, reinforcing the principle of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). These organizations are on the front lines, providing immediate relief and building long-term food security. The supported partners include:

• Food Bank of Santa Barbara County: Delivers meals and groceries, directly contributing to achieving food security for vulnerable populations.
• Our Big Kitchen LA: Prepares and distributes meals, providing immediate nutritional support to those facing hunger.
• Project Angel Food: Mitigates the impact of federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by providing grocery gift cards, a direct action against poverty and hunger (SDG 1 and SDG 2).
• Food Forward: Recovers fresh produce to feed communities, aligning with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by reducing food waste.
• ALMA Backyard Farms: Expands community-led access to fresh food, promoting sustainable local food systems and resilient communities (SDG 11).
• LIFT: Provides direct cash assistance to families impacted by SNAP benefit freezes, addressing immediate needs and contributing to poverty reduction (SDG 1).

Framework for Community Action and Engagement

The Foundation advocates for collective action, encouraging community participation to ensure no one faces hunger alone. This approach fosters community resilience and supports the achievement of the SDGs from a grassroots level.

Pathways for Contribution

1. Resource Sharing: Donate non-perishable goods and fresh produce to local food pantries, making a direct impact on local food security (SDG 2).
2. Organized Volunteering: Mobilize school, workplace, or community groups to collect and distribute food, strengthening community bonds and support networks (SDG 11).
3. Support for Vulnerable Groups: Assist at senior centers to distribute meals, addressing the specific nutritional needs of the elderly, a key demographic in SDG 2.

Key National Organizations for Broader Impact

Further support can be directed toward national organizations working systematically to eradicate hunger and poverty, in line with SDG 1 and SDG 2.

• LIFT: Offers emergency cash relief to families facing economic hardship.
• Propel: Delivers direct cash transfers to SNAP families to bridge benefit gaps.
• Farm2People: Connects small farmers with food-insecure households, promoting sustainable agriculture and local economies (SDG 2 and SDG 11).
• Food Forward: Funds produce recovery and distribution, tackling food waste and hunger simultaneously (SDG 2 and SDG 12).
• Share Our Strength / No Kid Hungry: Focuses on ensuring children have consistent access to meals, a critical component of SDG 2.

National Resource Directory for Food Assistance

For individuals and families requiring immediate assistance, the following national resources provide connections to local support systems, ensuring access to food as a fundamental right.

• Feeding America: A nationwide network of food banks.
• Meals on Wheels America: Provides meal services for older adults.
• Hunger Free America: A hotline connecting individuals to local food assistance programs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights several interconnected issues, primarily focusing on food insecurity and community-led responses. Based on this, the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are addressed:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: This is the most central SDG in the article. The entire text revolves around the “growing hunger crisis,” “food insecurity,” and the efforts of various organizations to provide “meals and essential groceries” to families in need.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: The article connects food insecurity to financial hardship, mentioning families “struggling to put food on the table” and the impact of “federal cuts to SNAP.” It also describes solutions like providing “direct cash assistance” to cover essentials like food, rent, and child care, which directly addresses poverty alleviation.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article exemplifies this goal by showcasing a multi-stakeholder approach. The Archewell Foundation, a non-profit, is partnering with numerous local civil society organizations (e.g., Food Bank of Santa Barbara County, LIFT, Project Angel Food) and mobilizing the public (“How You Can Help”) to collectively address the hunger crisis.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The focus is on supporting “local communities” and “local partners.” The initiatives described, such as community-led farm stands and local food recovery programs, aim to build resilient communities where all residents have access to basic services like food.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

The article’s content aligns with several specific targets under the identified SDGs:

1. Under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):
   • Target 2.1: “By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.” The article directly addresses this by describing efforts to combat the “growing hunger crisis” and assist “millions of Americans [who] face food insecurity.” Organizations mentioned are working to deliver meals, groceries, and fresh produce to ensure people have access to sufficient food.
2. Under SDG 1 (No Poverty):
   • Target 1.2: “By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty…” The article supports this target through the actions of partners like LIFT and Propel, which provide “direct cash assistance” and “direct cash transfers” to families impacted by economic hardships and cuts to SNAP benefits, helping them afford essentials and restoring “a sense of stability.”
   • Target 1.3: “Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all…” The article implicitly refers to this by mentioning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a key social protection system in the U.S. It highlights the vulnerability of families when such systems are cut or frozen and showcases how non-profits are stepping in to fill the gap.
3. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The entire initiative described is a model of this target. The Archewell Foundation is forming partnerships with a wide range of civil society organizations (food banks, community kitchens, farms) and calling on the public to join the effort through donations and volunteering, creating a broad coalition to tackle food insecurity.
4. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.1: “By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services…” Food is a fundamental basic service. The article describes actions to strengthen community access to this service through support for local food banks, community kitchens, and “community-led access to fresh food” via organizations like ALMA Backyard Farms.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

While the article does not cite official SDG indicator data, it mentions or implies several qualitative and quantitative measures that can serve as indicators of progress:

• For SDG 2 (Target 2.1): The article refers to the “millions of Americans [who] face food insecurity,” which relates to Indicator 2.1.2 (Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity). Progress can be measured by the outputs of the supported organizations, such as the number of “meals and essential groceries” delivered, the volume of “fresh produce” recovered and distributed, or the number of families served by food banks.
• For SDG 1 (Target 1.2 & 1.3): The provision of “direct cash assistance” and “direct cash transfers” by organizations like LIFT and Propel is a direct measure of intervention. The total amount of funds disbursed to families affected by SNAP cuts could serve as a proxy indicator for measuring the scale of the response to poverty and gaps in social protection systems.
• For SDG 17 (Target 17.17): Progress is indicated by the “emergency donations” made by The Archewell Foundation, which aligns with Indicator 17.17.1 (Amount of United States dollars committed to… civil society partnerships). The number of partner organizations listed (Food Bank of Santa Barbara County, Our Big Kitchen LA, Project Angel Food, etc.) also serves as an indicator of the breadth and effectiveness of the partnership network being built.
• For SDG 11 (Target 11.1): The expansion of “pay-what-you-can” farm stands and the establishment of pop-up produce distributions are tangible indicators of improved community-led access to basic services (food). The number of such access points created or supported would be a measure of progress.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: archewell.org