I always anticipate the Making a Difference segment on NBC's Nightly News program for its message of hopeful inspiration in a world of news that is oftentimes uninspiring. The segment that aired on January 2 offered that same welcomed respite.
The broadcast featured an organization called Detroit SOUP, which is helping to promote economic and social growth in the Michigan city through food. Amy Kaherl currently organizes the monthly dinners where community members gather to eat, hear new ideas about creative projects in the city, and vote on the one idea they feel deserves to be awarded the small sum of money collected from the dinner.
This "idea about ideas," as reporter Ron Mott put it, is the epitome of hope and change, in my opinion, not only for the citizens of Detroit but for anyone who may be inspired to experiment with these ideas in their own communities. SOUP promotes a sense of community and the democratic process, while also putting money into the city, employing residents, and spurring past winners of funding to pay it forward to others around the city needing help.
This community-wide effort to rebuild and revitalize a struggling city may be the most lasting kind of change as it is being initiated from private citizens not only helping others but helping themselves as well.
For additional information, follow these links:
NBC Nightly News Making a Difference video from January 2, 2013 broadcast
You can also view the video, without advertisements, on Detroit SOUP's home page, which is linked in the article above.