2025: Empowering the Future through Education, Diversity, and Hope

Leveraging Sports for Social Change: Addressing Food Insecurity and Promoting Community Well-Being

Location

Hemmingson Ballroom

Start Date

15-4-2025 11:15 AM

End Date

15-4-2025 12:15 AM

Description

This poster highlights a community-based initiative in Spokane aimed at alleviating food insecurity through a food bank event, where nonperishable food items were distributed to individuals in need. The initiative emphasizes the role of socio-economic factors, such as class and income levels, in shaping individuals' behaviors, attitudes, and opportunities. Those living below the poverty line often face disproportionate challenges, including limited access to nutritious food, which can negatively impact health and well-being. Sports, sports organizations, and athletes play a crucial role in addressing food insecurity by leveraging their platforms to raise awareness, mobilize resources, and engage in charity events, food drives, and partnerships with food banks. Initiatives like MLB’s “Food for Families,” the NFL’s Play 60 campaign, and NBA Cares actively combat food insecurity while promoting community welfare, bridging the gap between social needs and available resources. Additionally, the poster highlights how sports intersect with social justice, featuring programs like Playworks and The Special Olympics, which foster inclusivity and empower marginalized groups. These initiatives demonstrate that sports can drive social change beyond entertainment, advocating for broader societal transformation. The study also draws connections between sports initiatives, food banks and other nonprofit organizations showcasing how to combat hunger and support underserved communities. Furthermore, it critically analyzes the role sports play in reinforcing or challenging existing social structures, emphasizing the potential for sports to be both a reflection of and a catalyst for change in societal norms. Through these lenses, the poster underscores the transformative power of sports as a means of advancing social justice and improving community well-being.

Comments

Poster Session A

Publication Date

2025

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Apr 15th, 11:15 AM Apr 15th, 12:15 AM

Leveraging Sports for Social Change: Addressing Food Insecurity and Promoting Community Well-Being

Hemmingson Ballroom

This poster highlights a community-based initiative in Spokane aimed at alleviating food insecurity through a food bank event, where nonperishable food items were distributed to individuals in need. The initiative emphasizes the role of socio-economic factors, such as class and income levels, in shaping individuals' behaviors, attitudes, and opportunities. Those living below the poverty line often face disproportionate challenges, including limited access to nutritious food, which can negatively impact health and well-being. Sports, sports organizations, and athletes play a crucial role in addressing food insecurity by leveraging their platforms to raise awareness, mobilize resources, and engage in charity events, food drives, and partnerships with food banks. Initiatives like MLB’s “Food for Families,” the NFL’s Play 60 campaign, and NBA Cares actively combat food insecurity while promoting community welfare, bridging the gap between social needs and available resources. Additionally, the poster highlights how sports intersect with social justice, featuring programs like Playworks and The Special Olympics, which foster inclusivity and empower marginalized groups. These initiatives demonstrate that sports can drive social change beyond entertainment, advocating for broader societal transformation. The study also draws connections between sports initiatives, food banks and other nonprofit organizations showcasing how to combat hunger and support underserved communities. Furthermore, it critically analyzes the role sports play in reinforcing or challenging existing social structures, emphasizing the potential for sports to be both a reflection of and a catalyst for change in societal norms. Through these lenses, the poster underscores the transformative power of sports as a means of advancing social justice and improving community well-being.