Meet Mallory Hersh

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mallory Hersh a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mallory, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My passion for service fuels my drive to bring change in my community one step at a time. The challenge of battling food insecurity and the goals I set for myself and my organization drive my dedication to the work I do. The impact we have on people’s lives gives me focus and determination. Working with other organizations who have the same energy and focus to end food insecurity provides me with a community, support and resources to continue the fight.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I began to research recipes and cook to help accommodate my Dad’s food allergies. A few successful recipes later, I was baking and delivering healthy treats around the neighborhood during the pandemic. I ended up turning this into a small business, created an Instagram, TikTok and website, where I could highlight and teach my favorite recipes. This is how The Dancing Baker was born.

My passion for cooking and feeding friends, family and clients evolved into a commitment towards food equity. One of my volunteer jobs is at a food pantry, and I realized how inaccessible healthy snacks were to many in the community who would benefit from them. So, I built on what I had accomplished and increased my impact as a food equity advocate to reach more people in need. I began to distribute healthy snacks to several community pantries and fridges in the greater Philadelphia area. I called it Munch with Mal.

As demand for my healthy snack baskets increased, I aimed to find a way to increase the supply of the snacks without spending all of my free time baking. I launched Porch 2 Pantries; this increased donations for Munch with Mal and allowed it to grow. I supply participating community members with bags that they fill with healthy snacks and leave on their porch for collection on a weekly basis. Alternatively, donations can be ordered off our Amazon wish list or made on Venmo.

Now, I’m honored to have over 15 partner organizations who I either bake healthy snacks for, or drop off Munch with Mal snack baskets to. By sourcing and distributing healthy food and snacks to these partner organizations, Munch with Mal aims to nourish the over 600,000 individuals who are food insecure in the greater Philadelphia area, with a particular emphasis on the 1 out of every 4 food insecure individuals who are children. By supplying these healthy products, Munch with Mal aims to encourage an individual’s choice in how they feed and nourish themselves, providing them with the choice– and, therefore, dignity–that those who are food insecure typically do not experience as recipients of government benefits.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Perseverance: I learned that food insecurity has so many faces, and each situation needs to be met and addressed differently. When I see a need, I focus on the most practical solution and make it happen. There are times when it’s an easy process, whereas other times, I’ve needed to be consistent and continue to bang on doors until one finally opens. For example, when I first partnered with one of the Community Cupboards with which I am now involved, I learned that the function of the resource is to help those who are housed, but who nevertheless struggle to put food on the table. However, the cupboard also sees and aims to service many unhoused individuals. Since they are primarily focused on providing food to those who are housed, most of the donated food has to be prepared with a kitchen–something the unhoused folks cannot access.

Eager to help, I created a section of the cupboard that would specifically target the unhoused population. Using funds I raised selling baked goods around my neighborhood, I bought and donated a mini-fridge and extension cord. I subsequently compiled a donation list, so that they could stock it with prepared foods that did not require a kitchen. Trader Joe’s already had a relationship with the food pantry, and they agreed to keep the fridge full.

Empowerment: Whether I am asking my dad what he wants for dinner or supplying healthy snacks to low-income individuals at a pantry, I know that the ability to give someone a choice who is often denied a choice can be such a powerful tool in restoring dignity. I love knowing that what may seem like a small gesture can actually transform how someone feels about themselves, and their right to feed themselves with accessible, healthful foods. Whenever these individuals feel empowered to make one choice about what they nourish themselves with, they are then more likely to seek out healthier choices long term. Whether one snack choice inspires someone to learn how to read nutrition labels or source and create their own healthy products, I’m proud to be bringing education and choice to my food advocacy efforts, inspiring lasting change.

Commitment: when an organization becomes a source of food and nourishment for someone in need, it should never be taken lightly. I am firm in my commitment to make sure that those who need it will always have a healthy snack in the basket, food in the pantry (or in the fridge)–they are counting on it. It’s hard work, but it’s fun, and so gratifying. I’ve met and get to work alongside others who match my passion and dedication and share the love of making a difference in someone’s life and community. My big project now, as I finish my junior year, is to transition my work to someone who is excited to take it on. I’m happy to say that it’s going well!

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Food insecurity is a huge issue in the Philadelphia area. Giving a little of your time by volunteering at a pantry or soup kitchen, or any organization that’s helping those who are underserved in our community, could make all the difference between someone being nourished and not. Ask your local pantry what their needs are–many times these are listed on their website–organize a neighborhood or school food drive and drop it off. And finally, if you have the means, I would be honored if you would donate to my MUNCH WITH MAL Amazon wish list, so that my volunteers and I can continue in my food equity efforts in the greater Philadelphia area.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/14ZH9NS4MOKD9/ref=cm_go_nav_hz?viewType=list

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.thedancingbakerpa.com
• Instagram: @the_dancingbakerpa