San Diego Hunger Coalition’s Post

The other day, our food pantry received a phone call from someone wanting to know if clients had to be at least 18 years old to get food assistance. What a heartbreaking question! Of course, we assured the caller that we had food for everyone, no matter their age. One barrier food pantries should regularly reflect on is how accessible their services APPEAR. For small nonprofits, it can be tempting to emphasize professionalism and a businesslike demeanor through official-looking paperwork, formal language, and strict policies. However, emphasizing the formalities makes it more likely that people experiencing hunger will fear that they are ineligible or not qualified to access food, such as this young person just looking for some help with groceries. It is still possible for a food pantry to be professional and sophisticated, and also friendly and welcoming. We can make sure everyone has access to the food they need, and still be professional. We need to prioritize the humanity and dignity of our clients above all else, and then craft systems around that attitude which allow us to meet the professional and administrative responsibilities of our organizations.

It's time to elevate the voices of those directly involved in the hunger relief system 🙌 and look beyond the halo effect of the charitable food system. Having managed a large church food pantry for over a decade under the Feeding America network, I often describe my perspective of the system as the toddler view. 👶👶👶 Allow me to illustrate: When a parent cleans a house, they see a polished, clutter-free table and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, perhaps even expecting praise from their partner. But when a toddler looks up, they see a different reality. They notice the cracks, dirt, gum, and grime that have accumulated over the years beneath the table. I have that toddler view. Working at ground level, I witness the areas in need of improvement within food banking and food rescue. Do I have all the answers? No. But I do have solutions. ALL frontline workers have solutions. 💡 My question to those who support hunger relief efforts (foundations, event planners, elected officials, food futurists, food sustainability experts, big corporations, universities, government agencies, journalists, etc.): When was the last time you listened to and amplified the voices of the community leaders on the frontlines rather than relying on the words of those who make decisions behind a computer screen and pose for the perfect picture? Here are some things you can do: 1. Understand the ability to scale doesn't always solve hunger, it might actually perpetuate it. 2. Invite frontline workers to round table discussions, listen fully, and take notes. 3. Provide a safe place for frontline workers to share their concerns without fear of retaliation. 🧐🧐🧐 4. Understand you will have to go against the status quo and think differently. 5. Admit that we all have room for improvement. 6. Realize there are many perspectives. 7. Know that each community is different and a one size fits all approach doesn't work! 8. Encourage frontline workers to be bold with their thoughts and experiences. 📢📢📢 9. Acknowledge that we have all been wrong b/c if we were right, hunger would not exist. #FoodDignity #BetheChange #ElevateFrontlineSolutions #RealSolutions #LocalCommunity #CommunityBuilding

North Carolina has the 10th highest rate of food insecurity in the nation. According to the North Carolina Justice Center: "Despite the success of anti-hunger programs like SNAP, lawmakers have sought to limit access. Over the past few years, state and federal lawmakers have considered and, in some cases, passed harmful measures that have increased hunger. In 2016, state lawmakers limited access to food assistance for some of the state's poorest adults by reinstating a harsh federal law placing a three-month time limit on SNAP for nondisabled, childless adults. This change, which affected up to 100,000 people, meant that people would be denied food assistance even though they lived in communities where there were no job opportunities available. Last year, state lawmakers considered eliminating a policy that allows low-income families with high expenses to be eligible for SNAP. These families, who have modest incomes but pay significant amounts of their income toward things like child care and rent, are often forced to make tough choices about how to cover all of their living expenses. Eliminating this policy, known as categorical eligibility, would have not only prevented these families from applying for food assistance, but also would have cost the state in additional administrative dollars. Finally, both state and federal lawmakers have sought to impose harsh requirements and unfunded mandates that will punish North Carolinians who are unable to find work and impose strict administrative requirements on state and local agencies." Can we consider what the NYS Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas is proposing? #spotlightonclt #dogoodclt #sharecharlotte #EconomicMobility #CharlotteNonprofit  #LeadingOnOpportunity

Celebrate impact! In 2023, we expanded our Lakeshore Food Rescue program to end food waste, fight hunger, and mobilize community. Through a growing team, a bigger fleet of vehicles, and enhanced technology to mobilize volunteers, LFR rescued over 2 million pounds of food this year! That’s a 67% increase from 2022 - a huge increase thanks to a community that believes in building a stronger, healthier community. Inflation has slowed, but grocery costs continue to rise. More and more families face tradeoff decisions that have long term consequences on health and happiness. In 2024, we’re continuing to grow the Lakeshore Food Rescue network - with new partners, donors, and volunteers - to make sure that good food ends up with families, not landfills. Read more about our 2023 impact here: https://loom.ly/sPgDRmw

As professionals, we understand that stability begins with meeting basic needs. Bright Path Center's Emergency Food Service is our proactive solution to food insecurity—a challenge faced by many in our community. With generous support from corporate partners including Whole Foods, Los Angeles Food Bank, Smart & Final, Target, and Ralphs, our program extends beyond emergency aid; it's a bridge to a more secure and stable life for our clients. Our services are crucial in helping individuals focus not on their next meal, but on their next steps towards a brighter future. We are here to serve and empower, ensuring no one is sidelined by hunger. We invite you to learn more about this vital program, to seek assistance, or to contribute to our cause. 📞 (323) 345-4322 | 951-682-0088 📧 [email protected] 🌐 brightpathcenter.org Your engagement can change lives. Join us in our commitment to nourish bodies, minds, and futures. #BrightPathCenter #CorporateSocialResponsibility #FoodSecurity #CommunityImpact #SocialInnovation #EndHunger #NonProfitLeadership #SustainableSupport #CommunityEngagement #PartnershipsForChange

It’s back-to-school season, but for students facing food insecurity, returning to the classroom can be stressful. 46% of children from low-income households say hunger impacts their performance in school. At Allied, we know it takes a village to address major problems like this. That’s why we’ve partnered with Move For Hunger to help address food insecurity head-on and make an impact on the communities we serve. Learn more about how we’re fighting hunger, one move at a time: https://bit.ly/3oCDC5b

It’s back-to-school season, but for students facing food insecurity, returning to the classroom can be stressful. 46% of children from low-income households say hunger impacts their performance in school. At Allied, we know it takes a village to address major problems like this. That’s why we’ve partnered with Move For Hunger to help address food insecurity head-on and make an impact on the communities we serve. Learn more about how we’re fighting hunger, one move at a time: https://bit.ly/3oCDC5b

Hunger is not just a problem here in San Diego. It's nationwide. Feeding San Diego is a partner food bank of Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization. Every year, Feeding America releases the latest findings from its annual Map the Meal Gap study. The findings released today emphasize the urgent call for all of us to take action. According to the new data from 2022, the number of people experiencing food insecurity has gone up in San Diego County. There are more than 350,000 people, including just over 100,000 children, experiencing food insecurity throughout the county. When we say people experiencing food insecurity, that means that at times during the year, a given household was unable to acquire an adequate amount of food for one or more of its members because they didn't have enough money or resources. The burden of food insecurity will impact generations to come right here in our county unless we continue to do the work to give a voice to those in need of the most basic human right: nutritious food. View the interactive map to learn more about the research: https://bit.ly/3wroSKx. #nonprofit #hungerrelief #data #endhunger

🌟 Understanding the depth of food insecurity is the first step towards creating meaningful change.