Small acts of kindness to end hunger work!

When I first started my fight against hunger, I thought I had to go big or go home. I believed that anything worth doing had to be massive.

The bigger, the better. Right?

I found myself overwhelmed and stressed. I was spinning my wheels and felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. It took a couple years but I soon realized I cannot end hunger.

However, we can all do small acts to create a ripple effect. Today, my work as a keynote speaker inspires others to fight hunger through connection, validation, and compassion.

1. People connect to my story as a recovering food snob. They see themselves in a variety of stories I share from the stage. Later, they confide their plan to stop making assumptions about other people’s access to food.
2. People tell me they feel validated and seen after listening to my keynote. They explain how they suppressed their memories of childhood food insecurity. They vow to transform their approach to food access with their patients, clients, and employees.
3. Hunger is a controversial topic. Some people find fault in my words and that is ok. I actually look forward to a constructive conversation because it challenges me to expand my viewpoint. When they approach me, I focus on my ability to understand their viewpoint.

The truth is we can all do something to improve lives and fight hunger. I believe a small act of kindness is much more far-reaching. Smaller acts of kindness have deep value because they require daily practice and effort. People feel valued, validated, heard, and seen.

Small Acts of Kindness to End Hunger

• release the expectations of others
• nominate someone for The Helper Project
• ask better questions
• tell someone how they inspired you
• don’t argue your point, if someone is hurt
• compliment someone you do not know
• practice kind words to yourself and others
• avoid gossip
• be inclusive, not exclusive
• send someone who hurt you peaceful thoughts
• don’t judge yourself or others
• trust that all small acts of kindness are significant

In what ways do you help and inspire your community in these difficult times?