Listen in as Tyler Herman and Robin Swecker from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (BRAFB) discuss the power of language to improve programming, alter public and internal narratives, and support dignity in the food assistance network. Tyler is the Director of Partner Engagement for BRAFB and Robin is the Partner Engagement Manager for the Shenandoah Valley. https://SHECPTalks.podbean.com/e/expertise-in-the-field-blue-ridge-area-food-bank/
Last November, SHECP hosted a Springboard series event to discuss how the language surrounding poverty influences and complicates our daily work and is addressed in various fields of study. Click here to watch the recording and learn more about the panelists. This podcast extends this discussion from the classroom to discussion happening with community partners and individuals these partners are hoping to reach.
During the podcast, Tyler and Robin focus on how changes in the language used at BRAFB (and by their many partner agencies) have impacted which individuals choose to participate in services and how agencies like BRAFB communicate with a wide array of audiences, including community members, individuals in need of assistance, government agencies, funders, and researchers.
Want to know more about some of agencies mentioned in the talk?
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (BRAFB): www.brafb.org
From BRAFB's About Us page:"Today we serve 25 counties and 8 cities on either side of the Blue Ridge through distribution centers in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Winchester and Verona (our headquarters). We provide nutritious food to 109,500 people on average each month through a far-reaching network of more than 400 community partners–food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and program sites like schools, community centers, and health care clinics. We are members of Feeding America, a national organization supporting more than 200 food banks across the country, and the largest domestic hunger relief agency in the U.S. We are also members of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, an association of the seven food banks in Virginia."
BRAFB's bi-annual newsletter, "Harvest" https://www.brafb.org/media-resources/publications/ and BRAFB's partner agency newsletter, "Partnering with Purpose" https://www.brafb.org/agency-resources/agency-newsletters/
Chew On This, Thoughtful reflections on the work to solve hunger in central and western Virginia, and insights into the experiences of our neighbors in need, from Food Bank staff and guest contributors https://www.brafb.org/blog-chew-on-this/
Feeding America: www.feedingamerica.org