How Storytelling Is Used by the Food Bank of Delaware to Promote Community Impact
Written by: Meghna Shanker, Student at the University of Delaware
Storytelling is a bridge that connects mission with action in the nonprofit communications realm, and it is much more than a marketing tactic. The Food Bank of Delaware (FBD) demonstrates this best through their meaningful, powerful stories that strengthen trust, promote empathy, and drive real change. FBD turns abstract issues like hunger into deeply personal and actionable emotionally-driven campaigns using geographically relevant data-driven messages and hero stories.
Hero Stories: Inspiring the People Behind the Mission
One of the most strong components of the Food Bank of Delaware storytelling strategy is the way it pulls out the everyday heroes behind its cause—those giving and those receiving. Sue and Rob Patas come to mind as FBD Newark branch volunteers for decades. Theirs is not a story of hours served at the pantry—instead, one of full-circle community impact. Having themselves been helped by programs such as WIC when they were struggling young parents, Sue and Rob now spend their days giving back to others in similar situations.
“We were helped when we had kids. It put us in a more secure position in our lives, and from there we were able to give back," Sue indicates. This kind of narration does not only make statistics more humanized but also constructs an emotional connection. People don't just read stories about two volunteers; they perceive themselves, community members, or themselves. It's an intentional narrative.
Data Storytelling: Unveiling the Scale of Change
Emotional appeal matters, but FBD also counter-balances its messages with plain, quantifiable data showing the scale of its work. In its website, newsletters, and reports, the organization provides facts like:
Millions of pounds of food redistributed each year
Tens of thousands of individuals served
Volunteer hours tallied across the state
These figures contextualize the emotional narratives in reality, providing transparency and credibility. They give donors and community residents an idea of how far their giving can stretch—and how much need still exists.
Urgency and Emotion: Making Urgent Calls to Action
FBD utilizes storytelling to establish a sense of urgency, and especially in times of crisis or a fundraising campaign. For example, the organization utilized storytelling with personal stories linked to a larger call to action to highlight the increase in hunger due to COVID-19 and grocery prices.
Messages like "Hunger Doesn't Wait" or "Your Neighbor Needs You" are not only energizing, it's timely. First-person narrative, emotional storytelling, and direct ask appeals come together to generate funds in a hurry and in a big way.
The Food Bank of Delaware’s storytelling approach demonstrates how nonprofits can add heart and also empower individuals while building trust and drive meaningful action, bringing change and empowering communities.
