For my groups Action Project, we went to various restaurants in the University District and beyond disseminating information on how they could donate their excess food at the end of the day to an organization called Food Lifeline that would then distribute the food to people in need.
Our project was limited by the amount of time that we put into it as we did not have any restaurants express a commitment to participating in the program, even though a few did seem to be genuinely interested. I believe we could have better results if we were to reengage with the managers and restaurant owners a few times after the initial meeting to increase accountability and provide any assistance or support that may be useful to them.
In spite of having limited success, our Action Project felt quite rewarding because it gave my group member and myself a better sense that we were taking an active role in a movement that was bigger than just ourselves and making a difference in the long run. This feeling offset, at least for a little while, any sense of helplessness in the Anthropocene. Relating back to our course material, I’d argue that this was particularly significant because I learned firsthand that taking an active role in trying to make a difference is far better than simply being an observer.
Moving forward I have decided to try to keep my momentum and continue with the theme of improving the food system of Seattle by taking a weekly volunteer position as an orchard steward at the Danny Woo community garden in the Chinatown-International District.