Awareness of Food Insecurity Among The Houseless Population

SPREADING AWARENESS ABOUT 

FOOD INSECURITY 

and defining homelessness and its attributes are complex and extensive. The day-to-day struggle and the lifetime term effects that take place for the homeless are levels of psychological distress, physical, and physiological changes for an individual without an “adequate fixed or regular residence”, as described by the National Center for Homeless Education. [1]

There are psychological distresses that we learn about that go along with complex eating disorders and people develop these, even when it conveys a social status. These types of psychological disorders may be present in homeless individuals, although, not for the same reasons. Studies show that a homeless person may increase the extent of a mental disorder, if there are eating disorders that arise for the individual struggling with getting the right nutritional resources. [2] 

How is it that people who have home insecurities and nutritional deficiencies correlate?

It can be a factor, but well encountered at times, populations of homelessness, indeed, require dietary restriction options, such as gluten free or vegan diets. [3] Therefore, these, among other dietary restrictions, should be, altogether, requirements and enforcements of healthy food options. Instead of opting for the cheaper option, since those do tend to have ingredients that are not naturally available for the human body.  Soup kitchens are readily available and requesting healthy food, from them, is absolutely acceptable, and no stigmas should be attached! 

But the appalling fact about it all is that food insecurity is growing among everyone and it is becoming more and more disparate! Meaning, that poverty/houseless populations and hunger is unequal in our society. [4] Why are we allowing these inequalities to take place, when having adequate nutrition is a basic human right? 

Ways in which we can move forward for a healthier society, that includes everyone, and ensures the basic living needs for an individual is by coordinating and speaking for the homeless people. Advocating is a force. It is why I find that being an advocate for anyone can be enough to start for help. Using advocacy is so beneficial for people who have been open and ready to take control of their lives but have been suppressed as an individual or for being part of a group. It is important to coordinate community engagements because it can lead to social change. 

Portland Food Resources

http://foodnotbombs.net/new_site/ (MAP INTERACTIVE)

https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank (MAP INTERACTIVE)

https://pdx.eater.com/2020/8/11/21295571/how-to-help-during-pandemic-covid-19-portland (FOOD GUIDE)

https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/foodbanks/city/or-portland.html (FOOD GUIDE)

https://www.mudbonegrown.com/solidarity-love-shares (BLACK-OWNED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, FAITH-BASED)

http://www.growing-gardens.org/who-we-are-2/ (PARTNERSHIP/SCHOOLS)

https://www.cscoregon.org/ (COMMUNITY CENTER NON-PROFIT)

https://urbangleaners.org/about-us/who-we-are/ (FOOD PROGRAM)

https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/state/oregon (EMERGENCY SHELTER)

Literature Resources

[1] https://nche.ed.gov/

[2] https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/resources-for-homeless-individuals-struggling-with-an-eating-disorder

[3] https://www.streetsheet.org/few-options-for-those-with-allergies-dietary-restrictions-while-homeless/

[4] https://moveforhunger.org/hunger-and-homelessness