May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, and Brownieland was honored to work alongside Open Hand Atlanta with a special project for our monthly volunteering event.
On May 26, 2023 from 1:00 -4:00 PM volunteers worked as a team to maximize the impact in our community. We successfully packaged hundreds of meals and other essential supplies for a good cause. Seeing the wall lined with these packages was truly rewarding. However, it felt even better picturing that package delivered and opened to a person in need.
Thanks to the work of Michael Cleveland, Chris, and other kind staff at Open Hand Atlanta, this gaggle of volunteers packaged goods for Asian American and Pacific Island refugee communities. The people we were directly serving included Korean, Chinese, and Bhutanese communities in Georgia—and during the month of May made it all the more meaningful.
Aside from the tremendous impact of Open Hand, the whole experience is also vibrant and captures a sense of community, and Open Hand describes it themselves:
The atmosphere is electric. But it’s not all work — the music is always on, and the friendly banter among new friends never ceases. It all makes for a very memorable and rewarding experience.”
https://openhandatlanta.org/volunteer/
Throughout the day, all the dedicated volunteers fulfilled their necessary responsibilities with care and attention to detail, especially in meticulously packaging specific items and servicing communities with dietary restrictions.
The most unique aspect of Open Hand’s volunteering event, though, was the collective problem- solving and collaboration used to finish packaging goods in a timely fashion. Volunteers were divided into teams, and team captains were assigned in order to create direction and a real sense of teamwork among strangers and friends alike. I found this to be the essence of the Open Hand community. Questions and compassion went hand-in-hand, and Brownieland is so thankful for this exquisite experience.
Open Hand’s AAPI initiative was also perfectly aligned with AAPI month’s 2023 theme, “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.” Without organizations like Open Hand, we cannot enable community members to be leaders and access new and essential resources. Food security, as we’ve emphasized many times over, is one of the most essential foundations for community members to not only live, but thrive.
Statistics show that 1 in 17 Asian Americans experience food insecurity, and 1 in 5 Pacific Islanders face hunger in the U.S. Oftentimes, recent immigrants from countries like Bhutan, Nepal, and Afghanistan experience hunger at even higher rates.”
Brownieland strongly recommends Open Hand Atlanta for volunteers looking for their next opportunity. They take individuals, couples, and group volunteers throughout the week and during the weekend. You can choose between meal packing, meal delivery, or even be a part of special events.
For instance, 30% of recent immigrants from Bhutan have experienced food insecurity. So, we are grateful to have served even the most vulnerable populations among the Asian Americans and Pacific Islander diaspora in the month of May.
We also encourage you to donate a one time or make a recurring monetary donation which will go directly towards aiding people that experience food insecurity in Georgia. Together we can make a difference; its truly the amazing people that fuel volunteer organizations and nonprofits like Open Hand. So, let them know that we sent you to expand their reach across Atlanta.
Brownieland Pictures 