In a world of 7.7 billion people where we are still reaping the benefits of the Green Revolution and industrial farming, food security is still a hot topic. This is a luxury some of us enjoy, while others struggle. 42.2 million Americans are food insecure, 13.1 million are children. A few major causes of food insecurity in America are unemployment, high housing costs, low wages, lack of access to SNAP (food stamps), medical/health costs, and domestic violence. There are a million different reasons to end up food insecure or homeless but the important thing is that everyone needs to eat. One difficulty many homeless and others face is getting enough food each day. Luckily in Portland there are some resources. Most shelters offer food services. The Portland Rescue Mission serves breakfast at 7am and dinner at 6 pm 365 days a year. The Transitions Project also serves daily meals at all its shelters. Portland State University also has a Food Pantry Resource and Harvest Share. Most of these shelters also offer beds, bathrooms, showers, clothing, transition programs as well.
If you’d like to find more information, donate, or volunteer check out these links:
Oregon Food Bank: https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/get-involved/volunteer/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6bCM2pLw5wIVjNlkCh0WfQHFEAAYASAAEgIeavD_BwE
Portland Rescue Mission: https://www.portlandrescuemission.org/homeless-services/food-shelter-services/
Transitions Projects: https://www.tprojects.org/shelters/
Written by: Emily Sanders
Works Cited:
1. Unknown Author. “7 Facts About Hunger and Homelessness You Should Know.” Mercy Housing, 23 Jan. 2019, www.mercyhousing.org/2016/11/7-facts-about-hunger-and-homelessness-you-should-know/.
2. Unknown Author. “Hunger and Food Security.” National Coalition for the Homeless, Nov. 2011, www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/hunger.html.
