Local organizations used federal funding to address local food security challenges and improved outcomes across state lines through the AmeriCorps VISTA Food Security Initiative.
WASHINGTON, DC— AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteering, published a reportat the conclusion of its AmeriCorps VISTA Food Security Initiative. The initiative, which launched as a rapid response during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased food security for more than 230,000 Americans by engaging AmeriCorps members in service focused on alleviating poverty with seven sponsor projects across the United States. Through the use of American Rescue Plan funding, each sponsor participated in a learning community to develop a comprehensive and collaborative approach to hunger, expanding food security resources, knowledge and community engagement.
From 2021 to 2024, 290 full time AmeriCorps members and 244 Summer Associates assisted 164 service points in Maine, Ohio, Texas, Arizona, Puerto Rico, Arkansas and Alabama. The combined tens of thousands of service hours resulted in the distribution of millions of pounds of food, and the recruitment of thousands of volunteers. When surveyed, 91 percent of AmeriCorps members felt they made a contribution to their community and 93 percent felt they made a difference in the life of at least one person.
The Food Security Initiative brought an influx of resources to sponsors in a time of great need, supporting diverse communities and organizations through a wide range of approaches to food security. The learning community met more than 20 times throughout the duration of the initiative, allowing sponsors to share promising practices, bridge silos and learn from each other and issue area experts. When surveyed, all respondents reported being part of the initiative helped increase their organizational capacity to support their efforts toward food security. Sponsors also reported they felt like they belonged to a community and that they planned to incorporate the research techniques they learned.
“Many Americans struggled with food security during the pandemic. The Biden-Harris administration’s historic American Rescue Plan investment let AmeriCorps respond when people needed it the most,” said Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO. “The success of this initiative proves that pursuing collaborative, community-based solutions is essential to help those in need. When we unite in service, anything is possible.”
“The Food Security Initiative was born out of the hunger crisis exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but advancing food access is deeply rooted in the 60-year history of the VISTA program," said Maggie Garvey, Acting VISTA Director. “Our members and state partners proved that when our communities call, AmeriCorps answers. Together, we will continue to innovate, improve, and learn about effective interventions to address critical community needs.”
The Maine Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Ending Hunger Corpswas one of the first sponsors in the initiative. Through the service of 23 AmeriCorps members, they leveraged more than $1,141,000 in cash and in-kind resources and provided more than 1,146,900 pounds of food to the community. The members strengthened the effectiveness and program reach of nearly 3,800 organizations and recruited nearly 3,000 volunteers resulting in more than 7,400 hours of volunteer service. The AmeriCorps members who served with this project will be recognized later this month by Maine Governor Janet Mills.
“The Ending Hunger Corps is a critical partner in my Administration’s work to eradicate hunger in Maine by the end of the decade. In a just a few years, these AmeriCorps VISTA members and community volunteers have improved food security for more than 150,000 Maine people,” said Maine Governor Janet Mills. “My Administration will continue to work with the Ending Hunger Corps and partners across the state to ensure that all Maine people can lead healthy, hunger-free lives.”
"Connecting with the AmeriCorps Food Security Initiative nationwide fostered a creative platform for our program's development,” said Kim Lengert, Maine Ending Hunger Corps Program Manager. “Ending Hunger Corps has directly impacted the distribution of over a million pounds of food, enhancing food security for more than 150,000 people, improving efficiency and reach for thousands of organizations, and organizing nearly 8,000 community volunteer hours. Each of our members is changing the lives of Maine people every day."
Though it joined the initiative later, the University of Alabama at Birmingham also saw significant success. The AmeriCorps members serving at this location collaborated with community partners, farmers, and food banks to identify funding opportunities, develop marketing materials and conduct outreach activities to promote food resources. In 2023 alone, members leveraged nearly $630,600 in funding and managed nearly 9,100 volunteers resulting in nearly 29,100 hours of volunteer service. Their work provided more than 4,031,200 pounds of food to more than 1,091,000 community members.
“We are incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work our AmeriCorps members have demonstrated throughout this initiative. Their commitment to serving their community has made a truly lasting impact,” said Giorgia Ellard, FSI Program Coordinator with the University of Alabama at Birmingham AmeriCorps Program. “Being part of the AmeriCorps Food Security Initiative and the FSI Learning Community has been an inspiring experience — the opportunities to collaborate, share best practices, and expand our impact have been invaluable. We are grateful for this journey and excited to see how future members will build upon this work and make an even greater difference.”
The Food Security Initiative was funded by the American Rescue Plan and helped address food security during a national crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Learning Community has concluded, the legacy of the initiative will continue with the activities of members and projects. In a space with more agency resources dedicated to learning communities, AmeriCorps may be able to refine, research, and replicate learning communities for even more sponsors and grantees.
AmeriCorps VISTA places individuals with nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and tribal governments to expand reach and deepen impact in making a sustainable change that alleviates the impact of poverty. Through fundraising, volunteer recruitment, program development, and more, AmeriCorps members gain experience and leadership skills that put them on track for a life of service in the public, private, or nonprofit sector.
