Is it worth trying to make the world a better place when the odds are stacked against you? It’s easy to feel hopeless by the scale of social issues like climate change, poverty and inequality, but all the good in the world comes from people who choose hope. In this article, we’ll explore eight inspiring examples of groups mobilizing around some of the biggest social impact issues. From free fridges in Oregon to women’s groups in Iraq, people everywhere are taking care of each other and making a difference.
1. Hunger
Fast Facts: In 2023, 733 million people experienced hunger, according to a UN report developed by five specialized agencies. The number of people experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity was also high: 2.33 billion. While the world produces enough food to feed everyone, around 1 in 11 people end the day hungry.
A social impact story: Free fridges feed Portland, Oregon
Oregon is part of the United States, and while hunger is worse on continents like Africa, 13% of Oregon residents experienced food insecurity in 2023. Mutual aid groups like PDX Free Fridge work to address this social issue guided by the motto: “Take what you need, leave what you don’t, give what you can.” The movement encourages people to set up and stock public fridges, so people can take and donate free food as needed. The group is decentralized but offers resources on how to set up fridges, how to keep food safe, and how to talk to neighbors about any problems that arise. Mutual aid groups like PDX Free Fridge are an inspiring example of how people can address hunger outside the government or nonprofit space.
2. Water pollution
Fast Facts: Streams, rivers, lakes, oceans and groundwater are affected by toxic runoff and oil leaks from fossil fuel companies, causing major harm to animals and humans. According to research, the 20 largest fossil fuel companies (like BP and Shell) also caused more than ⅕ of the extra acidification in the ocean since 1965.
A social impact story: Climate activists protect South Africa’s Wild Coast
Fossil fuel giant Shell is one of the world’s biggest climate culprits. In 2024, it abandoned its emissions targets and doubled down on fossil fuels. Water pollution is one of the dangers climate activists worry about as Shell tries to do seismic blasting in places like South Africa’s Wild Coast. In 2021, activists Nonhle Mbuthuma and Sinegugu Zukulu gathered their communities to fight back. The courts ordered Shell to stop, but in 2024, the same year Shell abandoned its climate promises, the oil giant tried again. The court upheld the ban but didn’t shut the door completely on Shell polluting the waters off the Wild Coast. Activists like Mbuthuma, who has faced decades of death threats for protecting the Wild Coast, will no doubt face Shell again.
3. Long voting lines
Fast Facts: When people wait in long lines to vote, it hurts democracy. According to Democracy Docket, every extra hour an American voter waits decreases the odds they’ll vote in the next election by 1%. Minority voters are more likely to face long wait times. 21 states are not required to offer any time off for voting, which means many voters must choose between getting paid or standing in a long line to cast their ballot.
A social impact story: Pizza to the Polls feeds hungry American voters
A long voting line is just one threat to democracy, but it’s often the most tangible barrier for millions of people. Policy changes like universal mail-in voting and more polling places can help, but let’s focus on how one creative group addresses this social issue: with free food. Pizza to the Polls is an American nonprofit founded in response to long voting lines in 2016. Using donated funds, the group sends pizza and food trucks to polling centers with long wait times; in 2023, over 40 new partners helped feed over 10,000 people on Election Day and other voting-related events. Free food not only nourishes voters but turns an unpleasant experience into a more fun, communal one.
4. Climate change-driven heatwaves
Fast Facts: Climate change has many deadly effects, but heat is one of the worst. According to research, almost 490,000 people died from heat each year between 2000-2019. Between 2000 and 2016, the number of people exposed to heatwaves increased by 125 million. Heat also disrupts the power grid, damages agriculture and burdens health services.
A social impact story: The Italian Red Cross tackles the heat
Italy experienced a devastating heatwave in 2023. Temperatures climbed as high as 48.8°C (118.4°F). In response, the Italian Red Cross re-launched its Effetto Terra campaign, which educated the public and recommended safety strategies. The organization also offered an emergency hotline, services like grocery and medication delivery for those who couldn’t leave their homes, water distribution, and cooling centers. More volunteers were needed, especially in smaller cities. Vulnerable groups like the elderly, pregnant people and children need extra help, so if you can safely handle the heat, consider helping your community during a heatwave.
5. Natural disasters
Fast Facts: As climate change worsens, so do disasters like hurricanes, tsunamis and heat waves. According to World Weather Attribution, the 26 weather events studied in its 2024 report contributed to the deaths of at least 3,700 people and the displacement of millions. Not every disaster is related to climate change, but extreme weather is still devastating. The International Disaster Database found that extreme weather affected 18 out of every 1,000 people in 2024.
A social impact story: The Pansy Collective in Asheville, NC mobilizes after Hurricane Helene
On September 27th, 2024, torrential rain from Hurricane Helene poured over Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville resident and retired art critic Richard Nilsen describes floodwaters carrying away entire houses, while a foot of toxic mud filled the buildings that managed to stay put. In the aftermath, groups like the all-trans artist collective Pansy Collective proved what a handful of passionate people can do for social impact. As a piece in Them chronicles, the Pansy Collective delivered food, water, cleaning supplies, diapers, gas and other essentials before FEMA arrived. “We don’t survive thru [sic] rugged individualism, we survive thru neighbors and communities helping each other,” an October 14th Instagram post from the group reads. Within six weeks, the Pansy Collective had distributed $40,000 in supplies and sent out $20,000 in direct relief funds.
6. Housing costs
Fast Facts: Housing costs have been rising globally. In the US, the median sales price is five times the median household income, making home ownership impossible for many families. That leaves renting, but half of all renter households spend more than 30% of their income on housing and utilities.
A social impact story: American tenant unions fight for housing justice
Millions of Americans rent their homes, leaving them vulnerable to the whims of their landlords. Many cities don’t have rent control policies, which lets landlords hike rents even while neglecting their repair responsibilities. Mold, rodents and broken doors endanger the health and safety of renters. Tenant unions like Kansas City Tenants have won thousands of victories for renters. KC Tenants’ biggest accomplishments include stopping evictions during the pandemic, passing a citywide tenant bill of rights and holding building managers accountable for repairs and unfair rent increases. In 2023, the union had almost 9,500 members working to protect people from homelessness.
7. Poor healthcare access
Fast Facts: A lack of healthcare access affected more than half of the global population in 2021; with COVID-19, the long-term impacts have likely made things worse! The World Health Organization defines spending more than 10% of your household budget on healthcare as “catastrophic out-of-pocket health spending.” More than 1 billion people fall into this category.
A social impact story: Mask blocs provide free PPE around the world
During the COVID-19 pandemic, accessing quality masks wasn’t always easy. Even when they were available, they were too expensive for many people. Grassroots groups began giving out free masks in 2022 and 2023. The Sick Times, which published an oral history of mask blocs, describes how these groups shared information on PPE discounts, bulk sales and public health agencies that would donate stock. The decentralized groups formed around the world. Blocs like MaskBlocPDX (Portland, Oregon’s mask bloc) continue to stock free pantries in 2025.
8. Gender-based violence
Fast Facts: Around 30% of women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetimes. It gets worse during conflict or natural disasters, making already traumatic events even worse for women and girls. Research shows that gender-based violence is more likely to impact women with disabilities, older women, young girls, refugees, LGBTQ+ women and women of ethnic minorities, which is a huge portion of all women overall.
A social impact story: Women in Iraq protect and heal each other from violence
After Saddam Hussein lost power in 2003, ISIS took advantage of the political instability to gain control and target groups like Shiites, Yazidis, Christians and Turkmen. Women and girls experienced significant violence, including forced marriage and forced pregnancy. Stigma and the fear of further harm threatened to silence survivors, but women’s groups empowered and cared for those who endured gender-based violence. The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation has collected research on how groups organized advocacy campaigns, mental health and financial empowerment services, safe houses and campaigns for reparations.