The Power of Community: Camaraderie, Connection and Compassion

 

If you go back to the Paleolithic Era, nearly 40,000 years ago, the world was filled with danger and forces that were actively trying to end our life. Perhaps, it was the weather, the lack of resources, or the sabre-tooth Tiger. For over 95% of human history, we have survived living in groups of no more than 200 people. Our feelings of trust and cooperation were rooted in our connection to one another – one that was very tangible and real. We saw those that hunted for food so we could all eat. We saw those that volunteered to stay up at night so we could sleep peacefully. That was our safety. That was our community.

With urbanization and the advent of modern-day technology, we are now living in groups larger than we have ever before. Some metropolitan centres are bustling with over 10 million inhabitants. Inhabitants that simply co-exist without a shared connection to the place they call home or the people they are surrounded by. We can now fly across the country in a few hours, but we don’t know who has been living across the street for the last 3 years. Courtesy of social media, we have been “connecting” with hundreds and thousands of people, but the truth is that we have never been so disconnected before.

Although the incident in Old East Village had countless negatives, it did have a positive – and a strong one indeed. The realization that the larger community can still come together and act in unison when faced with adversity is priceless. Support poured in across all social media platforms with Facebook and Instagram playing hosts for hundreds of fundraisers and sponsorships. Collectively – we – the London community, raised over $50,000 in less than a week. Putting monetary donations aside, what we raised was awareness. Awareness that the feeling of camaraderie, connection and compassion were still an innate part of our existence - maybe just suppressed under the frustrations of our own challenges and problems.

At FoodFund, we have always put community first. We are firm believers of the triple bottom line and measure our success based on the impact we have on our people and our planet. May it be creating a better food system or helping rebuild a community after an unfortunate loss, we believe that local businesses have responsibility to provide support. But first, let’s change the conversation about support. A conversation that does not focus on victimizing the one needing support but rather, highlights the positive intent of those providing it. Let’s stop criticizing the efforts of our fellow community members and hold ourselves accountable for making a difference. Let’s take a moment and introspect before making a gibe on social media. Let’s pause and ask ourselves, “what am I doing to help?” and if the answer returns in silence, it is better to continue with the day – or leave a comment that will make someone smile, that works too.

Everyday, we are working towards connecting local growers in our community to households that believe that their purchasing decisions can make a difference. Without community, we would not be able to create a fraction of the impact we have in the last 2 years. Every dollar spent on FoodFund fuels our transition towards a sustainable and conscious food system, but also towards a community that thrives on one another’s growth. 

We want you to go ahead and get more involved with what happens around you. Check in on your neighbours and make sure they are doing well. Engage in a conversation with your bus driver. Drop a compliment to the next person that makes you your coffee. Appreciate those that sacrifice their sleep for ours.

Our compassion towards the people we share our lives with is the fabric of being human. Let’s cherish it.