One "Aha" Moment Can Change Everything

From “Aha” to Impact: How One Neighbor Started a PORCH in Youngsville

When Polly Fuller broke her ankle, she didn’t expect it would lead her to start something that would change her community.

“I was feeling down,” Polly recalls. “I was thinking a lot about what was happening in the world and wondering how I could make a positive difference, right where I was.”

Then, something clicked. After reading Angela’s Ashes and coming across an article about PORCH Communities and its impact on fighting food insecurity, Polly had what she describes as an aha moment:

“I thought, this is the perfect next project for me… and it doesn’t require a huge time commitment.”

That moment led to the launch of PORCH Youngsville, and a ripple effect of impact that continues to grow.

Starting a PORCH Is Easier Than You Think

One of the biggest misconceptions about starting something new is that it will be complicated or time-consuming. Polly’s experience says otherwise. 

“Getting started was quite easy! They have playbooks, templates, forms, and automated processes already laid out for you.”

From onboarding to ongoing support, everything is designed to make it simple:

• Clear step-by-step guidance

• Ready-to-use materials (like door hangers and templates)

• Short, efficient trainings (never more than 30 minutes)

• Hands-on support from the PORCH team

“The staff helped me every step of the way,” Polly says. “I’ve been really impressed.”

Like many new chapter leaders, Polly found that early outreach took a little effort — emails, neighborhood Facebook posts, conversations while walking her dog — but once things got going, it became easy to sustain. 

“Now, on a monthly basis, it’s super easy to coordinate.”

A Small Commitment. A Big Impact.

What started as one person taking action has become something much bigger.

Today, PORCH Youngsville supports The Journey Ministry Pantry, and the results have been powerful.

“The pantry is ecstatic about PORCH! The board chair said it best, ‘it’s amazing what can happen when two great organizations team together!’ They’ve even called PORCH one of their greatest blessings.”

For Polly personally, PORCH has been a manageable commitment with an incredibly meaningful return.

“It’s been an incredible ‘feel good’ activity… it’s helped me achieve all of my goals of getting involved.”

It has also deepened her connection to the community, leading her to volunteer at the pantry each week and build relationships across Youngsville.That impact has extended to others as well, Many of her neighborhood coordinators are pantry volunteers themselves—people who were already passionate about fighting food insecurity and are now even more deeply engaged.

And for food donors, the impact is just as real.

“They thank me over and over again for bringing PORCH to our neighborhood,” Polly says. “They’re busy people — with jobs, families, homes, and responsibilities — but they’ve wanted to give back. PORCH allows them to do just that in a way that fits into their lives.”

What started as one person taking action has created a growing network of neighbors helping neighbors — each playing a role in strengthening the community.

Five Wins. One Simple Model.

When asked what she would say to someone considering starting a PORCH, Polly doesn’t hesitate:

“PORCH is a win, win, win, win, win! That’s five wins!”

• A win for you — because it feels so good to do this work

• A win for your food donors — because it gives them an easy way to help

• A win for your pantry — helping keep shelves stocked

• A win for families — ensuring more people can be served

• A win for your community — offering a grassroots (non-government funded) solution to food insecurity

Your “Aha” Moment Could Be Next

Polly didn’t start with a big plan. She started with a simple question: How can I make a difference right where I am?

If you’ve ever asked yourself that same question, this might be your answer. Starting a PORCH doesn’t take a huge time commitment. You don’t have to figure it out alone. And the impact —on your neighbors, your community, and yourself — is real.

All it takes is getting started.

Interested in starting a PORCH in your community?