Nick Saul, co-author of The Stop: How the Fight for Good Food Transformed a Community and Inspired a Movement, visited the Honors College on February 16, sharing lunch with students, and inspiring listeners at a special lecture about the right to equal access to good food for all people regardless of wealth and status.
His message was transformative on many levels. Though not an expert on food or nutrition, Nick spoke about his personal journey of discovering an issue he was passionate about and then finding others with a similar focus to work with to help solve the problem in a way that empowers the people with the greatest need.
On a societal level, rather than a food bank, Nick helped create community food centers where those served are at the heart of the process of determining what and how they eat, sharing their culture and lives along the way—a lasting approach based on listening first.
For many who heard him speak, Nick's message of looking at social injustice and resolutions that respect human dignity and empower people was inspiring. He urged students to look around in their communities for what can be done, even if they don’t have all of the answers in the beginning and even if their part is small—social change begins with each and every one of us bringing our unique perspectives and talents to the table.