I’m starting a feel dive on food at homeless shelters and food insecurity. Please let me know if you have expertise or lived experience (if comfortable sharing!) or know of resources—links, authors, books, articles. Thanks! DM or Discord (danboleo) if you don’t want to share here.
When I was at a shelter we had meals sent daily from a local nonprofit kitchen. Not sure if they paid them or if it was donations. But I got lunch and dinner every day.
They were usually pretty satisfying. Usually like a cup of pasta with chicken or a couple slices of pizza. A lot of time there was leftover and we could get a second one.
We were on our own for breakfast but in the longer term shelter I was in they had a common area with a fridge.
The food bank will likely have statistics on how many and which type of people use their programs. For example, I live in CA and the average amount awarded to SNAP recipients is $9/month* which is practically worthless and where the food bank steps in
Yes, SNAP benefits are way too low. I'm specifically talking here about meals served at homeless shelters, not food benefits used to purchase food, or even food picked up at pantries. People in shelters have to rely on what the shelter feeds them. Is it enough?
Ah I see!
FWIW the food bank in my county provides food to shelters (as well as pantries, etc). They pick up food at the main food bank distribution center and then cook/distribute it there.
