The Forecast is Bold by Meredith Knopp
This week, a supposedly “meteorologically gifted” groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow, suggesting several more weeks of winter. While Groundhog Day has been happening since the mid-19th century and is a cute or fun way to try and predict the next 6 weeks of weather, let’s be honest – it isn’t always a great barometer. In fact, when looking into this further, it turns out Phil has been right only 35% of the time. Not great odds.
Rather than sitting back and holding our breath to see the outcomes of a rodent, (no matter how gifted), we prefer the tried and true method of rolling up our sleeves, working with communities, neighbors, and leaders, listening to how we can best support evolving needs, and coming up with plans for the future based on reality, versus a shadow.
In fact, the St. Louis Area Foodbank is working through our annual Strategic Planning updates, where we review our plans for the upcoming fiscal year (beginning July 1st) and how we may need to pivot based on current developments, and events from the past year. We’re also evaluating opportunities that will impact how we nourish our neighbors, empower communities, and transform systems. We are aggressively talking about what, where, and how we need to expand our ability to handle “what’s next” – whatever that may be.
We are excited that in the next year, we will focus on a few key areas:
- Expansion of our Food on the Move Program
- Expansion of our Grocery Rescue Program
- Growing our knowledge and understanding of our region and piloting new programs to create lasting change
- Growing lasting relationships with farmers and growers to provide more healthy, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food options across the bi-state region
- Embarking on a new, long-term plan for the St. Louis Area Foodbank to promote collaborations and impact, reducing duplications and fragmentation in the non-profit sector
- Joining a new council of leaders, laser-focused on growth and economic empowerment for everyone who calls our region home
- And much, much more…
These are some new and aggressive initiatives for the Foodbank – and we look forward to sharing more in the months to come. But what does this have to do with Groundhog Day, you ask? Let’s bring it back to our friend Phil.
While many people were upset that little Phil saw his shadow and thus predicted 6 more weeks for winter, I have always questioned the methodology and viewed it through a slightly different lens. In a strange way, Phil seeing his shadow is really metaphor for resilience. The shadow serves as a metaphor for the strength of winter, which we have all endured, and still see the snow on the ground. Phil saw his shadow, because there was light, which outdoors radiates from the sun, and he ran from it. He went back into his burrow, because it is comfortable – it is familiar – it is what he knows.
Growth, change, and impact will not happen if we run from the light back into the shadows. My goal is to always live and lead by not being afraid to turn toward and embrace the change that is coming; evolution is necessary. We cannot choose to live in the shadows because we fear what the future holds. The future is coming – let’s turn towards that future with hope, optimism, and yes – light.
The St. Louis Are Foodbank has served as a beacon of light for over 50 years for neighbors struggling with food insecurity. For the past 8 years that I have been blessed to serve at the Foodbank, my “hashtag” on social media has been #foodandhope – because that is what we are called to do – provide food and hope (the light) for someone facing food insecurity – perhaps for the very first time. My challenge to you is to join us. Be a part of something bigger than any of us individually – be that light to someone who is struggling in the shadows. To learn more, please visit: www.stlfoodbank.org
