Part I:
When most people think of the issues of homelessness and hunger, the first thing that comes to mind is often the massive homeless populations crowding third world countries. It is true that roughly 98 percent of the world’s homeless population occurs in underdeveloped countries, but many forget about the remaining two percent of that population (2011 World Hunger). The most recent study by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that 925 million people across the world are undernourished (2011 World Hunger). These people who are undernourished, are not receiving the essential elements to maintain or promote normal growth and health. I focused my efforts on helping the homeless population in my local area, the remaining two percent of the statistic, which many often overlook.
The issue I addressed for my senior year community service project was the hunger and homeless problem in the San Francisco Bay Area. Despite our reputation of being the center of high technology, there is a segment in our affluent population is neglected and need of our help. The Alameda County Food Bank reports serving 250,000 unduplicated individuals each year, or one in six Alameda County residents (Crossman). The study also showed that these numbers are steadily increasing, and that the number of children in need of emergency food is rising at a disproportional rate. It is important for our community to be active, and support these underserved communities by volunteering with organizations such as the Alameda County Food Bank, that provide meals for thousands of people in need in the East Bay. These organizations are one of main solutions we have to profound issues such as hunger and homelessness, and they depend on community volunteers and funding to survive. It is important for our community to give back to those who are less fortunate. Donations are a major source of the food that arrives to the food bank and the logistics behind what can be distributed among those in need. While some of the food is donated as fresh produce, the food bank relies on the many canned goods and nonperishable donations by food drives at local schools and businesses. This is a simple contribution that allows our entire community to give back with little effort. A simple cash or food donation can go a long way to support those in desperate need. Another way for people in our community to lend their support is by volunteering. The food banks and other organizations which support the homeless rely on volunteers to help package and distribute food, due to limited funds available for employees. The food bank also relies on corporate sponsorships to raise funds. It is important to give back and donate to the community in any way possible.
Part II:
Although it may seem like the Federal government has little affect on he homeless and hungry, the bills and budget cuts created in Washington have serious affects in all social classes; “As if the proposed California state cuts aren't enough, Oakland also is about to feel the wrath of the federal government's budget cuts. That's because under the budget proposals offered by both the White House and the U.S. Congress, the city stands to lose millions of dollars for some of its bread-and-butter social programs” (Ward). The series of cuts would include the city’s homeless and community development grants, called Head Start. The state government plays a key role in the struggle to end hunger and homelessness as well: “State policymakers administer a range of nutrition assistance and feeding programs including food stamps, WIC, school lunch, school breakfast, after school and summer feeding programs” (). These programs provide the solution for many hungry Americans lacking the money to support themselves. Many of these programs are linked with schools, providing children with the food they need to survive.
One issue we have talked about in class that may directly affect the future of these programs is the California budget crisis, as well as the national debt. The budget cuts across the board in California have forced elected officials to make cuts on our government spending, which include the food banks and other hunger organizations; “State lawmakers appropriate funds for many of these programs and often provide discretionary funds for food banks and pantries” (Steisel). Our state elected officials must understand that people rely on these food sources, and without the proper funding these organizations cannot survive. The people who they represent must do their part in this also, making sure their opinions on the matter are heard. People can make their opinions heard by simply writing letters to their local government leaders, governors, and even Congress representatives. State elected officials, as well as community leaders and city officials, such as mayors, play a key role as well. It is their job to engage the public on these issues, making them aware of hunger issues and how they can lend a helping hand.
I feel that my own Lamorinda community does a fairly good job at making citizens aware of hunger issues and donating toward this cause. The schools in our district, ranging from elementary to high school, run food donation programs that supply food for the Contra Costa Food Bank. At my elementary school, the teachers did a great job of providing an incentive for the students to donate. The class with the most donations, of both cans and cash, would be able to spend the day helping load the truck and bringing the food to the Food Bank. At my high school, I personally worked at the food bank as a volunteer with my athletic team. We had the chance to participate directly in helping others at the food bank. I feel that involving the schools in this program provides the opportunity for teachers to educate their students on these issues. The community must be aware of the problem to take action to help solve it. And involving students brings the message home to not only to the kids, but to their parents who are potential donors.
Part III:
I focused my community service efforts in two locations, both volunteering at the Alameda County Food Bank and serving food to the homeless at a local East Bay church. First, I volunteered feeding the homeless on a Saturday at St. Mark's Church in Berkeley. As I arrived at the church, I was surprised to see about 50 to 75 people waiting outside the door in the pouring rain, waiting to be let in and served food. I was assigned the job of a server at three of the many tables set up in the dinning hall. The church had prepared a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for patrons, including turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and some small side dishes. I was shocked by how good the meal looked, based on the huge amount of people they needed to serve. Finally, after some preparation, we opened the doors, and people began to flood into the building, filling the seats quickly. All of the servers then started bringing plates around to every table, at which we had placed an equal amount of food. All of the homeless people I served were very grateful for the meal they had received. They were polite and thankful. We then started serving seconds, which almost every person asked for, sometimes multiple times. After the food was gone, and everyone had left, we finished up our work by cleaning off the tables and putting everything away. Overall, I thought it was a good experience, and it gave me the chance to understand how fortunate I am, and how important it is to give back to my community.
In my second volunteering opportunity, for this project, I worked at the Alameda County Food Bank. The Food Bank was organized in a completely different way than the church in which I previously volunteered. I was expecting to see a large warehouse where all of the food was being delivered and distributed. I was certainly not expecting the large office space and staff they had dedicated to helping those in need. After getting a short tour of the Food Bank, I arrived at the enormous warehouse in the back of a building where I would be spending my volunteer hours. I was assigned the job of bagging apples, which would later be distributed across the county to those in need. At the end of the day, the group I had been working with bagged a total of over 3,000 pounds of apples!
After our volunteer work, the Food Bank personnel took us into the office area of the building where they showed a PowerPoint presentation outlining the type of work the Food Bank performs, and how volunteers can help. The presentation revealed some startling facts that brought the Bay Area hunger problem into perspective; “In 2010, the Food Bank distributed 20.1 million pounds of food – 52% of it fresh fruits and vegetables... The Food Bank distributes enough food for 300,000 meals weekly”(Crossman). I never understood how significant this issue was in my very own community. Every day, thousands of people in the Bay Area alone, struggle to find their next meal. I believe both local and federal government action is necessary to resolve or improve this problem. The current government action of providing food stamps and setting up small programs such as a school lunch are not providing enough of a solution to the problem. It is time for our local, state, and federal government agencies to recognize the issue of hunger and homelessness, and provide a answer.
Government programs could be set up, similar to food bank organizations, that could distribute food to those in need. In San Francisco, the mayor has established a program, “Care Not Cash”, that he says is responsible for a 28% drop in the homeless population (Fagan). This project aims to provide the homeless with housing and counseling, versus giving them money which may be spent for alternative motives. I believe that programs like Care not Cash may provide the solution to our homeless and hunger problems in the Bay Area. We must set an example for the rest of the world on how this issue can be overcome.
The homeless population as well as the thousands of people that go hungry in the Bay Area every day rely on resources made available by volunteers. It is important for our community to understand that any time, money, or food they donate goes a long way to benefit those in need. It is up to the community to solve this issue, by not only helping at a local level but contributing to the changes necessary on the state and federal level. Corporate sponsors are also a great source of donation for the Food Bank but local businesses and restaurants can also make a positive impact on feeding those in need in their local communities. Giving back to your community is something that not only individuals must participate in, but corporations and even small businesses.
The Community Service Project provided the incentive I needed to get involved in our community aid programs. This was my first experience working at a food bank or a homeless shelter, and both were very eye opening experiences. The opportunities taught me the importance of giving back to those who are less fortunate. I was shocked by the statistics I came across during my research. It made me aware of the huge problem our community, state, country, and even the world faces. The individuals I was able to meet while volunteering at the homeless shelter provided a unique opportunity to get a sense of what it is like to be in a situation were you are not sure when your next meal may come. Talking to these people gave me a chance to connect with them and understand they are no different from any other person. Many are hard workers that have struggled as a result of the bad economy or as a result of job loss or a catastrophic medical emergency in their family. Some may feel that to be homeless means that one must have a mental or other disability. But I found that many are simply victims of our current economy or of some personal misfortune. I know that if I found myself in that situation, I would love to know there are people and organizations dedicated to helping. This project has provided me with an incentive to continue my support and volunteer hours. I now understand that I can make a difference in my community, and I have the opportunity to help change someone’s life in a positive way. Hunger and homelessness are not problems just seen in my community, they are global problems, and will require global effort to be solved.
