Deeper Dive - Where Would Our World Be Without Us? - July 19, 2022
The critical work of our sector often flies under the radar
What I really do for a living
I have been intimately involved in the nonprofit sector for well over two decades, but it has only been in the last eight years where I have had the awesome responsibility of actually managing, leading and running an organization. It’s only by these experiences do I feel that I have truly understood this world.
For those eight years, I have been part of a faith-based non-profit in Western Ohio called New Path. What started out as (and still is) the outreach arm of Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church has grown in to a multi-faceted ministry that strives to take care of our neighbors, no matter where they are. We are known mostly for our food pantries, which we operate two of them. One in the northern part of our county, one in the southern part.
When I tell people that I operate a food pantry, I get a tremendous positive response. People are usually effusive with accolades and sometimes pensively pause to think about times they themselves visited a food pantry or they knew someone who did. Universally, I am thanked.
However, all the “atta-boys” and pats on the back fail to understand the societal value of the work that is done here. I say that because, in the end, our food pantry is really a riot-prevention device.
Don’t get me wrong, helping individuals facing hunger is a huge problem and it’s one we are called to address. When people come to our front doors in need, we are compelled to help them. But, looked through a historical and sociological context, we know that hunger can be a destructive force.
Just last week in Sri Lanka, a small island country off the coast of India, the country literally collapsed in front of the world’s eyes. Crippled by debt, staggering inflation and widespread hunger, Sir Lankans took the street and toppled the government.
All of these experiences cause me to negotiate with a fact that is both very true and very uncomfortable; hungry people can do unimaginably destructive things to themselves, their families and their communities. Keeping people fed and meeting their basic needs, will at least keep people at bay for a period of time.
The Glue That Keeps Us From Tearing Apart
Any while comparing a food pantry to a riot-prevention device might seem a bit over-dramatic, it’s important to realize that non-profits of all shapes and sizes are doing important and socially viable work each and every day.
Our nonprofit organizations are providing wonderful value to those that volunteer, donate and interact with our sector. It is through our work and through our giving to these groups, that many people find a sense of meaning and a sense of purpose. A feeling of belonging to something that is much bigger than who we are and a desire for work that truly brings out the best in us. Our nonprofits are one of the last few places where we can have diverse people with divergent views come together to work on common goals and common ideas.
And while all of these benefits exist on the individual level, these voluntary organizations are working hard to keep our society functioning, often in the background with little notice and zero fanfare. We have quickly learned that government can’t simply do it all and when it tries, it inevitably performs it’s work very ineffectively and inefficiently. The nonprofit sector is built on service, it is inherently better prepared and better equipped to serve our friends and neighbors.
When I think about our society and our future together, it’s hard to be overly optimistic. Trust in institutions is low, economic uncertainty is here. Could another pandemic happen? War always seems to loom on the horizon, either here or abroad.
But, while there may be little reason for optimism, there is also little to despair.
We now have many of the tools that we didn’t have before as a society to help combat some of society’s worse ills. Food pantries, domestic violence shelters, afterschool programs, AA programs, the list goes on and on.
I am eternally grateful for all the work that our sector does behind the scenes. I am eternally hopeful that our society will begin to understand it.
I have had my say, what is yours? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
Also, please feel free to share this with friends and colleagues. At the very least, “hit that heart” below! It would be much appreciated!
Stay Well,
Bill