Foodstream recently talked with New York City based community advocate Danny lp. Danny talked to us about his passion for service from a young age and some of the obstacles faced by community based food organizations.
Foodstream: How did you get started in community service?
Danny Ip: I started volunteering with Big Brothers and Big Sisters in 2015 when I was in middle school.
Foodstream: How old are you now?
Danny Ip: I’m 22.
Foodstream: What inspired you to start volunteering at such a young age?
Danny Ip: Growing up, I had a disability and people helped me, I saw the good in people and wanted to help people too.
Foodstream: What happened from there?
Danny Ip: As a teenager I worked with a nonprofit called My Friends Place NY, Inc. I found a mentor there and I still work with them.
My Friends Place NY, Inc is a New York City based nonprofit that empowers the Asian community through educational programs, volunteer opportunities and mental health awareness.
Foodstream: How did you get involved in food advocacy?
Danny Ip: During the pandemic [Covid-19 pandemic] I heard about food pantries needing help, so I volunteered with UA3 [A Chinatown based food pantry]. I helped recruit other young people to volunteer and I worked at four different pantries. A lot of young people were unable to work during the pandemic and we had a lot of volunteers. After that, I became staff and UA3 hired me as the pantry coordinator.
As we shifted focus, Danny spoke to us about some of the unique challenges New York City food organizations face in the food donation process.
Foodstream: What was your time as the pantry coordinator for UA3 like?
Danny Ip: When I started the pantry served 186 people a day, now it’s around 600 people a day. The hardest part is getting enough funding and food donations.
Foodstream: Can you explain more about that?
Danny Ip: There are a lot of different things that go into it. Funding is always difficult. There are government programs that help with funding and other [private] donations and the large food organizations help with supplying food like produce, but there are a lot of organizations looking for help. A lot of organizations rely on elderly volunteers. After the pandemic, a lot of the young people went back to work, so there’s less volunteers now. There’s also delivery, storage, food safety and distribution.
Foodstream: Beyond securing funding, logistics is the biggest challenge?
Danny Ip: Yes. Organizations have to think about if the donation can be delivered or not. What time will it be? Is someone there to get the delivery? Can someone get it? How far away is it? Then you have to think about how much it will cost. You have to think about tolls and Congestion Pricing. Then you have to think about food safety. Pantries may not be able to take cooked food, while soup kitchens can. After that, you have to figure out how to give out the food to people.
Foodstream: With all of that, what motivated you to do it?
Danny Ip: I think there is a need for a spotlight on food security. It’s about helping people no matter what. I never turned anyone away. I helped anyone that asked.
Finally, we asked Danny what he’s up to now and what the future holds for him.
Foodstream: What are you doing currently?
Danny Ip: I work as a realtor and property manager. I help elderly people by translating mail and documents from English to Cantonese, I help with the firework ceremony for Lunar New Year, I help with park cleanup and different projects.
Foodstream: So you are no longer a pantry coordinator?
Danny Ip: I am not currently, but I think food work is important and would like to get involved with food advocacy again. I am passionate about helping the community any way I can.
Follow Danny on Instagram: Danny Ip
At Foodstream our mission is to serve as the intelligence layer of food security. We continue to analyse and report on food policy and legislation that impacts our members. Follow us for more at Foodstream. If you have any questions about changes to food programs impacting you or your organization, email us at support@foodstreamnetwork.com. We are happy to assist.
Responses
Love this interview – @Dan you’re awesome and can’t wait to observe your next move! The majority of our FSN family are pantries who would benefit from your insights, connections and having what it takes to keep the food on community tables!