Sharing through Struggles

“How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.” - Morgan Freeman

NOW’S THE TIME

It goes without saying that the past few years have presented unprecedented, formidable challenges for much of the world. From the coronavirus pandemic to global conflicts, most of us know someone – or are someone – who has been impacted and tried by these events. Most recently, worries about a potential recession in the United States and internationally has generated further distress for many.

In times of stress, sharing is often the last thing on our minds. Understandably, we must take care of ourselves and those closest to us first. Sometimes, ensuring that we are okay is the best way to help those around us. However, while the impact of sharing is always incredibly powerful, its effect is even more forceful during times of widespread stress and struggle. With many of us dealing with the same global issues and others coping with personal obstacles, acts of kindness hold greater weight.

While opinions and reasoning vary widely, it’s safe to assume that many Americans today are concerned about the economy and inflation. Many are anxious about how their spending patterns will have to change over the next six months, and whether they’ll have sufficient savings. This makes living generously so much more important and timely. Small acts of generosity will have profound effects when they reach the people who are in the greatest need.

SHARING TO CONNECT

Coronavirus and global events have caused stress on many individuals, but loneliness and isolation were also problems long before these issues began. In 2019 (before the outbreak of the pandemic), 61% of survey respondents reported feelings of loneliness, a 7% increase from the same 2018 survey that was conducted. Loneliness and isolation can have serious health impacts, leading to early-stage dementia and increasing the risk of stroke and heart disease.

The importance of small-scale and community sharing has never been more important. Larger charities will inevitably receive fewer donations when economic conditions decline and the population of those experiencing loneliness increases each year. This is when community acts of kindness become more impactful, and when friends, neighbors, and strangers should unite.

Small-scale sharing comes in many forms and functions in different ways to combat loneliness and encourage communities to come together. Community sharing encompasses a wide variety of giving and receiving – from the wooden “mini library box” for neighbors to share books to dedicated community spaces for residents to gather.

Through interacting with people in real time – preferably in-person or in live meetings online – we can instantly react and connect with the personalities, emotions and body language of those we meet. When goods or services are exchanged during these interactions, the bonding opportunities become even greater.

GETTING STARTED

Here at Poom, we’re trying to tackle this issue head on. We strive to bring neighbors together through our community food-sharing app. We’ve just launched in one of the liveliest cities in the world, but also one of the loneliest. Over half of New Yorkers report feelings of loneliness and isolation, despite being part of the bustling city that never sleeps.

By creating a platform for individuals to share baked goods with one another, we’re creating a sense of community and an opportunity for neighbors to connect. While we may not have the space for a town gathering, we know sharing on a smaller scale can help bring people together just as effectively. There’s never been a better time to share, and there’s no place better than our city to do it.

Written by Katherine Cheng (katiec@poom.co)