If you’re committed to creating real, lasting change in low-income areas, let me give you a hard truth:

you can’t afford to overlook culture.

And I’m not talking about food or festivals.

I’m talking about the unseen force that shapes decisions, limits opportunities, and can either make or break your best efforts.

Think culture is just a buzzword? Think again.

Before you dismiss it, ask yourself this: If culture shapes how people see the world, doesn’t it also shape how they respond to help? How they recognize (or fail to recognize) opportunities?

Because, here’s the reality: if you ignore the cultural dynamics of a community, your programs might fail before they even start.

Culture Drives Every Decision

You may think handing out food or offering job training programs is enough. But here’s the thing: if people don’t feel these opportunities align with their cultural values, they simply won’t engage.

Take a step back. In some communities, there’s a belief—deeply rooted in survival—that says: “Take the first job you can get, even if it pays next to nothing.”

Why?

Because culturally, taking risks feels dangerous.

The idea of going through several months of job training, instead of working right now, feels like a gamble too big to take. So, while your well-meaning program offers a path out of poverty, they see it as a risk they can’t afford.

Here’s what happens next: your program looks good on paper but gets little to no participation. That’s culture at work. And if you don’t recognize this mindset, you’ll miss the mark every time.

Want to make a difference? You need to understand what drives people’s decisions—and culture is that driver.

Success? Not So Fast. It’s Different for Everyone

Let’s take it one step further. What does success mean to you? A high-paying job? Financial freedom?

But what if success in a particular community means job security above all else?

A steady paycheck—even if it’s small—might be their version of success. Because that’s what they know. That’s what feels safe. That’s what’s valued.

So imagine you roll out a program focused on entrepreneurship or higher education in a community that clings to job security.

The result? People hesitate.

Why?

Becauses… they’re thinking, “What if this fails? What if I lose everything?” That’s cultural fear talking, and if you don’t recognize it, you’ll lose the very people you’re trying to help.

Would you take a leap into something risky if everyone around you thought it was a bad idea? Of course not. Culture shapes that belief. Ignore it, and you’re ignoring the reality of the community you want to help.

The Barriers You Can’t See: Language and Mistrust

Alright, let’s get practical. How many great programs go unused because of something as simple as language? You see, a lot of people in food-insecure communities don’t speak the dominant language fluently. And let’s be real—it’s not just a minor issue. It’s a wall.

But there’s more. Mistrust is a barrier, too. Some communities are downright suspicious of outside help. And can you blame them?

After years of broken promises, they’ve seen shiny new projects, services, and resources flood into other, more well-off parts of town, while their neighborhoods are left waiting—always promised, but never delivered.

So, when someone new comes in, even with the best intentions, the community asks, “Why should we trust you?”

They’ve heard it all before and have been burned one too many times.

When you’ve watched resources pour into wealthier areas while your community gets scraps, that skepticism becomes deeply ingrained.

You can have the best intentions, but if the community sees you as just another group that doesn’t “get it,” they’re not going to engage. Why should they?

This isn’t just a quirk—it’s a survival mechanism, and it’s deeply embedded.

Culture teaches people who to trust and who to avoid. And if you don’t take this into account, it doesn’t matter how many resources you offer. No one’s coming to the table.

Hidden Opportunities: They’re Not Visible to Everyone

Let’s get real. Opportunities aren’t the same for everyone.

In culturally isolated areas, the opportunities that could change lives—education, business, career development—they’re invisible.

You might know how a program could change their world, but if the people you’re trying to reach have never seen someone succeed in that way, it’s like offering them a dream they can’t even picture.

It’s like telling someone to climb a mountain but refusing to give them a map. Sure, the opportunity is there, but if they don’t know how to reach it—or worse, don’t even believe they can—what good is it?

Culture limits or expands the options people see for themselves, and if you’re not addressing that, you’re offering solutions that don’t feel real or achievable.

The Stigma That Stops Progress

Let’s talk about one more barrier—stigma.

In some communities, taking assistance is seen as failure. Pride, independence, self-reliance—these values run deep. Getting help? It’s embarrassing. And if people feel like they’ll be judged for using food banks or financial aid, they’re going to avoid it.

Here’s the cold, hard truth: You can open all the food banks, offer all the aid programs, and build all the housing solutions you want.

But if people feel ashamed to use them, they won’t. That’s how powerful stigma is. If you don’t recognize it, even your best efforts will fall flat.

Ignoring Culture is the Biggest Risk You’re Taking

The truth is, culture isn’t just a piece of the puzzle—it’s the frame that holds the whole thing together. Without understanding and addressing culture, every initiative, every solution you create is going to be missing the most important element.

Culture shapes how people see the world, how they respond to opportunities, and how they navigate challenges. It influences trust, drives decisions, and dictates what people believe is possible for themselves.

If you’re serious about making a real, lasting impact, you have to start by understanding the cultural landscape. You can’t throw resources at the problem and expect results.

You need to ask, “How does this community see the world?” Because that’s the question that unlocks everything.

Who do you know that’s trying to tackle food insecurity or poverty?

Send this to them—because chances are, they’re missing the one piece that could make all the difference.