Give & Take: Why Supporting Local, Grassroots Nonprofits Matters

Last Thanksgiving, after a family COVID outbreak left us with five untouched pounds of Whole Foods salmon, we decided not to let it go to waste. We cooked it up and brought it to Tompkins Distro, a mutual aid collective that serves food, distributes hygiene products and provides vital community support – largely to unhoused individuals and asylum seekers.

Over the last few years running Prosek’s Give Back Group, I’ve had the privilege of engaging in many volunteer efforts with a number of incredible organizations. After that day spent at Distro, helping with food prep, serving hot meals, and handing out essentials like toothpaste, deodorant, hand-warmers, and socks – all of which entirely depends on community donations – I was struck by the generosity and dedication of each person, and how meaningful it felt to be part of that direct, person-to-person support system.

Experiences like that have deepened my appreciation for grassroots organizations. Large, well-established nonprofits do amazing and essential work, often funded by city, state or federal resources. However, small, local groups often operate without that safety net. They stretch limited resources as far as they can. These groups are massively important for our local communities, and for them, a small donation or just a few hours of volunteer time can have an outsized impact.

With this idea in mind, Prosek Give Back recently held a volunteer day with EVLovesNYC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that emerged in 2020 in response to the city’s growing food insecurity crisis. In addition to cooking and serving approximately 3,000 meals per week, they also offer job training, English classes, and other services to economically insecure and migrant New Yorkers.

Prosek brought a team of 15 volunteers on a Friday afternoon, and we rotated between prepping food, building resumes, and assisting in English language classes. We had a blast – and even got to enjoy some delicious cookies. But most importantly, we could immediately see how our time and energy translated into real support for people who need it most, and for those who dedicate their careers and free time to providing this aid.

Supporting local, grassroots organizations isn’t just fulfilling – it’s necessary. These groups know their communities best and respond with urgency and care. Whether it’s mutual aid or small nonprofits, even small gestures – an afternoon of volunteering, a bag of donated supplies, modest monetary contribution can mean the world to them – and the people they serve.