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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 ChurchesAward 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.

 

Read More on Our Blog

AHW Funding Supports Nutrition Access and Food Security in Wisconsin Communities

Project Updates:


  • Engaged with multiple congregations (St. Mark AME, Albright Trinity Methodist, and Ascension Fellowship) to develop and now implement food-based mutual aid work such as community gardens, Friday hot-meal programs, community nights, and other reciprocal relationships with nearby residents based on community and church-led decision making
  • Recalibrated relationships between churches and neighborhoods to rethink how services are delivered and teach congregations to see themselves as part of a larger community ecosystem who can practice community care in relational rather than transactional ways
  • Adopted a relationship-first, qualitative approach to evaluation of this project by gathering photographs, videos, reflections, and stories as folks engage with this program and implementation continues to evolve within the community
  • Identified two new interested religious partners for this work beyond the three committed congregations


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