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Faith Food Action Network: Improving Mental Health through Mutual Aid

Creating food equity mutual aid groups in southeast Wisconsin's African American churches to improve community nutrition and mental health

Full Project Name:Faith Food Action Network: Improving Mental Health through Mutual AidPrimary Community Organization:Wisconsin Council of ChurchesPrimary Academic Partner:Jennifer Walsh, PhD, Psychiatry and Behavioral MedicineAward Amount:$249,883
Award Date
July2024
Project Duration:24 months

Project Summary:


Food insecurity in Wisconsin has risen to 9.9%, with significant disparities affecting Black and Hispanic residents, single-parent families, and those in poverty. This issue is linked to various health problems, including physical and mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues in children.

The Wisconsin Council of Churches will address food insecurity and its related mental health challenges by organizing mutual aid projects centered on feeding, particularly through Black churches in southeast Wisconsin. By recruiting and supporting food equity teams, facilitating discussions, and connecting resources, the project partners will enhance food security, mental health, and community connectedness.

This initiative will leverage the churches’ trust and social connections, using mutual aid to create sustainable, community-driven solutions, improving health outcomes and food equity for marginalized communities in Wisconsin.

Project Updates:


  • Convened with St. Mark AME, Albright Trinity Methodist, Ascension Fellowship, and Cross Lutheran to generate creative ideas for food-based mutual aid programs that speak to community needs
  • Developed detailed budgets, project plans, and realistic timelines to guide each faith partner's mutual aid initiative to bring these projects to fruition
  • Developed initial survey assessments and instruments to measure food access, mental health, and community connection, which will undergo evaluation by project partners before dissemination to community members to ensure the surveys target food equity while also fostering community

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