letter from the project director

One of the most memorable conversations I had this year with our team was a discussion about how to hold ourselves accountable, especially around our work towards racial justice. Of course, the white lady in me was envisioning a checklist approach. The clear offering, instead, was much more useful and so simple: “It’s relational.” There is no checkbox. The work that we care about – taking care of each other through food – asks that we know each other.

Twenty-twenty was a year where knowing each other and connecting was challenging and complicated. There was the distance of COVID and the divides of racial uprisings and political sides. And, the ask to connect was still loud and clear. Reflecting on 2020, the ways that we moved towards that ask are the real highlights for me.

The network co-created six beautiful Shared Gifting Circles. The desire for Shared Gifting was always as much about the opportunity to create connections as it was about funding. Despite the virtual reality, folks left each of those circles with gratitude for experiencing true connection during social isolation.  Existing relationships were instrumental during this time of crisis, and the innovation required during this time resulted in many new connections.  And you’ll see in this report just how much more folks across the network connected with each other, creating opportunities for relationships in policy, COVID response, and regional collaborations.

Many of our team’s asks for connection this year came out of a needful response to the losses and weight of COVID and racial injustice. In response, we developed new practices – longer check-ins, more music and grounding, space for messiness, and Tea for Three. All of these offered ways to know each other better, and none of them could be captured on a checklist. I am feeling like that is a great sign. I see a commitment across this work to continue to show up and build trust, and to be accountable to each other.

Sincerely,