When you don’t have much to give, how far can your effort really reach? One Omaha woman learned last year that the main ingredient in Stone Soup is just showing up.
Mr. Rogers was good at taking some of the scariest experiences we face as humans and reminding us that we are all in this together, that there is always going to be a reason to hope. One of my favorite pieces of advice he gave us was to look for the helpers. When you’re watching a hopeless situation unfold, look for the people who are racing into the fray to offer what they can.
That’s what I’ve been trying to do this month, and I’ve been incredibly lucky to not have to look very hard.
Omaha Supper Share
Jessicca Tworek knows what it’s like to have to fend for herself. Originally from Tennessee, she packed up and moved to Omaha alone at the age of 19.
“I came here to enroll in culinary school at Metro, then did the circuit working for a few local restaurants before landing at Lot 2 for a while. I’ve always loved cooking, working with food – I love feeding people,” Tworek said. “I love caring for people. I’ve worked in nursing and I’m hoping to get into psych nursing.”
As Tworek felt the weight of current food policy starting to burden her community, she looked for any opportunity to create micro-impact where she could. It started with a post.
“Back in August when the SNAP cuts hit, I was just feeling really low,” Tworek said. “I was spending a lot of energy feeling helpless. I tend to be an all or nothing kind of person, but I knew I couldn’t change the world or the new policy, so I had to change my perspective.”
That started by speaking to an audience she usually didn’t reach out to.
“My Facebook is populated by ‘my people,’ people who are like-minded and are already doing everything they can for their neighbors,” she said. “They’re the people who already know to reach out to me if they think I can help. Instead, I reached out on Nextdoor. I wanted to connect with someone I wouldn’t have in my normal interactions. Someone whom I had no preconceived notions about why they were asking for help.”
While food can be inherently political, Tworek believes that greater good can be done by healing the divide and connecting more deeply with the truth that we are all just humans trying to exist. And with no agenda, no politics, and no expectations, she created a post to a handful of citizens who lived nearby.
“Hi Neighbors! With the temporary loss of SNAP benefits on the horizon, I wanted to help in any small way that I can. I’m going to try making a few big meals a week to share.”
She explained her family of four had limited funds, but the capacity and desire to share what they could. She offered spinach and chicken lasagna with garlic bread.
The response was overwhelming, and she ultimately made six lasagnas, six chicken and rice casseroles and 50 breakfast burritos to help her neighbors bridge the gap.
“I was surprised by how many people reached out for help,” she said. “I didn’t ask any questions, but some people wanted to share their stories with me anyway. Some were seniors on a really tight fixed income, some were disabled and didn’t have the ability to cook. Some were families who just fell short that month.”
It wasn’t a momentary flash in the pan, but the realization of how close to home deep need already was.
“This isn’t for people who want to judge who is and isn’t needy enough,” Tworek added. “It’s not a debt you need to repay, but hopefully if your neighbors show up for you when you need them, maybe when you’re back on your feet and you see their lawn needs mowed or their walk needs shoveled, you feel connected to make that kind of offer.”
She rounded up support from her friends and restaurant connections, renewed her Servesafe certification, and continued to create opportunities for herself, her friends, and anyone else who felt compelled to pull together.
“This was all originally fully self-funded. I wasn’t planning to grow it or turn it into anything, but all of the news about criminalizing unhoused people, shutting down encampments – I felt so heartbroken by it,” Tworek said. “I asked my husband if it was cool if I handed out some Thanksgiving meals to people. I had never been down by Sienna Francis House before, and seeing how much need there was, especially at that time of the year, of course he said yes, he’s really just like that. He’s always telling me to keep going, then he mentions these things to his family who are always the first to throw a few dollars to help out. They have the best hearts.”
Her husband suggested mentioning her effort to her Facebook community, which immediately sprung into action.
“I was really hesitant, it felt weird to do. ‘Oh look, I’m such a good person, look at this kind thing I’m doing…’ but sharing that is the only reason I’ve been able to keep doing what I’m doing,” she explained. “I was hoping we would get at least 25 requests. We made 112 Thanksgiving dinners. For Christmas it was 200. We’re doing a chili and cinnamon rolls (at the end of January) and that will be for 200 as well. Reaching out just to my community has made such a huge difference.”
Tworek may have jumped somewhat blindly into the art of giving, but it wasn’t long before a bigger goal became clear. It wasn’t about a meal.
“Mutual Aid has become kind of a trendy concept, but as a catchphrase and not an actual verb,” Tworek said. “We need to stop talking about it, not enough people are practicing it.”
In the wild game of “Stone Soup” that’s being played, Tworek is showing up with a pot and a stone and creating an opportunity for others in the community to see just how much they truly have to give. She’s not asking anyone for anything, simply showing up and acting, and creating a platform for others to throw in what little they have to share and then showing them just how far their little bit can take them.
“Not everyone can cook, not everyone can store food in their fridge, not everyone has cash to throw at this problem,” Tworek said. “But if they can help with distributions? If they can bring in pans? If they can help stuff care bags with hygiene products and hand warmers? It makes a difference.”
And more than providing a single meal, Tworek wanted to create a community that knew it could reach out to one another to give and to receive. She’s created a connection forum where people living within walking distance of one another can sign up to give or to receive this mutual aid. While this has been an insurmountable task for any one non-profit or government aid organization to accomplish, Tworek has made it incredibly simple.
If you are seeking help, fill out This form
And if you are looking to share help, fill out This form
Tworek created a Venmo (@thesuppershare) dedicated to funding her effort, and Facebook and Instagram pages where she’s able to share other opportunities, facts, figures, and inspiration. Some of her posts have included where and how to find shelter, warming stations, and where you can deliver donations of supplies to help those who need it – and who deserve it – the most. Tworek and the community that took up her cause are proof that it doesn’t take a well-armed militia to fight some of the biggest battles we’re facing, it just takes compassion, humanity, and a little extra counterspace to make a monumental impact.