"In early November, Kashish Ali posted those words to her Instagram story as part of a yearslong practice she's had to fundraise for food and drop it off at community fridges in Atlanta, where she's from, and now in New York, where she lives. Ali, who is 32 and a first generation Pakistani immigrant, estimated that her friends and family have trusted her with thousands of dollars over the past couple of years."
"For her, it's a practice of giving back and creating connection. It's also part of a growing interest in grassroots efforts to meet community needs that many call " mutual aid." Often, mutual aid just comes down to neighbors helping neighbors, and as many face high prices, cuts to government programs and political uncertainty, organizers say interest has swelled."
"Ali first noticed a fridge on the street outside of a brewery in Atlanta in 2021 and got in touch with the organizers via social media. She completed a brief volunteer orientation, joined a group text chat and then posted on her Instagram that she would buy and drop off groceries. "I ended up raising $700 in like three to four hours, which was insane," she said."
Kashish Ali fundraises via Instagram to buy groceries and stock community fridges in Atlanta and New York, relying on friends, family and followers for donations. The practice connects donors with neighbors in need and has become habitual rather than formal volunteering. Mutual aid is described as grassroots neighbors helping neighbors, with interest rising as people face high prices, cuts to government programs and political uncertainty. Volunteer pathways include brief orientations and group chats, and rapid small-scale fundraising can quickly generate significant sums. Mutual aid organizing also intersects with GivingTuesday as another moment for people to donate effort or time.
Read at San Diego Union-Tribune
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