Feed RI
Location
To not only provide fresh produce to those who are food challenged in RI but to also educate those who don't have enough food to learn to grow food to feed themselves and empower all society (elderly, youth groups, handicaple, etc.) to be passionate about feeding the hungry in RI.
About You
About You
First Name
Roger
Last Name
Davis
Website
Organization
Seeds of Hope
Country
United States, RI
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Seeds of Hope
Organization Website
Organization Phone
401-487-2263
Organization Address
84 Exeter Road, Exeter, RI 02882
Organization Country
United States, RI
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Your idea
Name Your Project
Feed RI
Country your work focuses on
United States, RI
Describe Your Idea
To not only provide fresh produce to those who are food challenged in RI but to also educate those who don't have enough food to learn to grow food to feed themselves and empower all society (elderly, youth groups, handicaple, etc.) to be passionate about feeding the hungry in RI.
Website URL
Innovation
What makes your idea unique?
No one else is doing it this way in RI. We plan to create an agricultural and environmental educational center called Seeds of Hope Fair Winds Farm. We are also engaging in commmunity outreach with the schools, churches, senior centers, garden clubs and other community clubs. Our vision is to create a garden in every church and school. We are at war and the enemy is hunger. We can obtain victory over hunger by creating victory gardens as they did in WWII. In our country of vast wealth there is no reason anyone should be going hungry. Our goal is that NO ONE goes hungry in the state of RI. My goal would be to end hunger in the world but being realistic about what one man can do, I am focusing on my own state of RI. We are faced with a rise in unemployment over the past year, double digit inflation in utility and gas costs, rental housing inflation, increasing costs of nutrious food, and longer lines at our food pantries. We have over 80,000 of our neighbors being food challenged, 12,000 of them are children! We produce over 12,000 pounds of food in a year, over our 5 years we have produced over 50,000 pounds of food. My goal would be to produce 10 times our production to reach even more of our hungry brothers and sisters this year and to extend this concept to every state and every country so we can end world hunger. As the bible says amazing things can come from one little mustard seed. I have faith this is possible.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
We have produced over 50,000 pounds of food. That is the tangible answer. The intangible answer is so much harder to answer. We have worked with hundreds of people in RI who have become passionate about growing food for those who need it. As a result of food distribution through various agencies we have been able to network and find more food from folks on other farms and in other businesses as well to give to those who need food. We have become a unifying organization that people now know to give their food to and we will get it into the hands of those who need it.
Problem
Food challenged population is learning to grow food for themselves and being given food for their immediate need.
Actions
Networking with other farmers, using anything and everything he can obtain for free, using scrap metal, load pallets or anything else he may use to make the project grow. We have limited resources but I don't let that stop me...I have been very innovative my approach. Resources would help me reach so many more people and develop a model that can be replicated by other states.
Results
As was stated earlier the tangible results are producing over 50,000 pounds of fresh food for those that are food challenged. And we have inspired and connected hundreds of folks in the cause for elimating the hungry in RI.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
We are already a success for some in RI. Our goal is to be a success for ALL those who are hungry in RI. The more resources we have the more people we can reach in RI. We need more resources and more people.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
As I said, we are already a success. There is no reason that we can't provide food or teach all to feed themselves in RI. I would like to see this in my lifetime.
How many people will your project serve annually?
1001‐10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Less than $50
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Yes
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Operating for more than 5 years
Is your organization a
Please select
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Yes
If yes, provide organization name.
Christ Church Evangelical Church and Arch Diose of Providence (Catholic Church)
How long has this organization been operating?
More than 5 years
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Yes
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Yes
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Yes
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with government?
No
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Organizations such as ours grow in the same way love grows through relationships and communications. We try to integrate all those in the community, the elderly, handicapable, mentally challenged, and the average Joe to love their neighbor as themselves and work side to side.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
1. Cooperation from local, state and national governements
2. Financing: grants, participation in fundraising and inkind donations
3. Volunteers - there is no Seeds of Hope without volunteers
The Story
What was the defining moment that you led to this innovation?
Five years ago at a gifts class I was trying to identify a way to give back to my community. It was there that I realized that my love of gardening could be used to provide for others. I could use this to feed my neighbors, but more importantly provide a place where people of every race, religion, and economic status could gather together around a passion for producing local food. We could make an environmental impact as well as helping each other. I thought making a difference was supposed to be difficult. I feel almost guilty that my passions in life have been able to bring about such a positive change in my community. I find such joy in what I do each day which is why the farm has grown each year. We have an organization that makes people feel proud of the tangible results they are able to achieve at the farm.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
I hail from a family of farmers. My father and grandfather both were farmers. They gave the fruits of their farms willingly to their neighbors. Their principles of generosity are an example and inspiration to me. Generations of farmers know that a commitment to the environment and to the community are the answer to a sustainable agricultural future.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Email from Changemakers
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Email from Changemakers and Post on New England Grassroots Fund
 | aprilwilliams updated this Competition Entry. - 547 days ago |
| aprilwilliams submitted this idea. - 547 days ago |
