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We recently had the opportunity to interview Craig Gerard, Executive Director of Stone Soup PDX which is a quaint restaurant that sits right between Oldtown and the Pearl districts on Burnside street.
Stone Soup in downtown Portland, Oregon is helping the disadvantaged houseless community by providing food for local shelters and also training those who are at risk of becoming houseless. Those who are at risk of becoming homeless are defined as those who have recently moved or been relocated, partnering with social service providers like Join and Catholic Charities. Referring partners help vex the potential program participants and are excited about careers in the food and service industry. Stone Soup is more interested in where people want to go, as opposed to where they’ve been. Increasing nutritional intake is of the utmost importance to help the houseless community be able to become self-sufficient. According to an academic article written by Sprake, Russell and Barker, “People experiencing houselessness are at risk of being malnourished due to a low income and lack of ways to store and cook nutritionally beneficial foods, leading to a reliance on cheap, ready-prepared foods. They may also lack knowledge of how to achieve a healthy diet in their situation. Provided food sources (e.g. soup kitchens) make an important contribution to energy intake and nutritional health, but may not be optimised to improve users’ diets.”
Stone Soup’s program gives the tools to those who have the ambition to learn and excel. You can help, do something profound and make a difference. Currently, Stone Soup is responsible for training 16 graduate students and when considering the length of the program, this sits right at national average for graduates for the program that Stone Soup is under. During the pandemic, Stone Soup PDX is dedicated to donating meals (currently they are making and donating 2000 meals a month through contracts in Multnomah county) having completely changed the operations of the restaurant into a cooking / distributing center. Stone Soup has also been the directing hub that is networking with other restaurants to fulfill nearly 20000 meals a month to shelters contracted by Portland. It’s simple to think that there are people who just simply won’t make the choice to get on their own two feet, and this idea unfortunately can cauterize our hearts believing that there are those who truly have circumstances outside of their control and need assistance. It’s also important to mention that each individual has their own barriers to success and self-sufficiency. We can unfortunately consider individuals as being “smart” or “not smart” when instead Howard Gardner in his book “Changing Minds” speaks against this idea which is labels as the “Single Intelligence” where is states that some people believe that “intelligence is a single entity,” “people are born with a certain amount of intelligence,” “our amount of intelligence is defined by our genes,” and that “psychologists can tell you how smart you are through an IQ test.” Instead, Gardner writes that there are multiple intelligences in which a single individual can have more or less of and need training for. Some of these intelligences include:
What can you do? Order online: https://www.stonesouppdx.com/online-ordering Volunteer your time or donate: https://www.stonesouppdx.com/helpout
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Nutrition's Role in Substance Abuse6/6/2021 One of the most dangerous lines of thinking about the homeless is the stereotype that being homeless inherently means one is or was on drugs. A KOMO News Article called "Seattle is Dying" estimates that 100% of homeless people are drug users. This is violently untrue. In fact, Banyan Treatment Center estimates that only 26% of the homeless population abuses drugs. One other thing that must be considered is why people are abusing drugs? BTC estimates that 25-33% of the homeless population struggles with mental health issues that could have caused drug abuse before or after becoming homeless. Many also likely turn to drugs after becoming homeless because of onset depression, anxiety, or general hopelessness.
The unfortunate reality is that these stigmas get in the way of many people helping. It is not uncommon to hear things like "all homeless people are drug addicts," or "why should I be giving my money to someone who's just going to spend it on drugs?" However, these kinds of things neglect the actual issue. Why are homeless people more likely to end up with substance abuse problems more than housed individuals? According to the same BTC study, only 15% of the general population suffers from drug abuse. One thing that can help is better nutrition. Dietitians can help treat the underlying causes of substance abuse, (like anxiety or depression) by crafting a diet around the person's unique needs. Drugs can sometimes affect a person's appetite, and can hurt metabolic regulation. If the drugs affect one's appetite, then they won't eat as often, or as well, and it will continue the depressive cycle of drug abuse. Helping get people on the right path with a healthy diet can restore nutrients that have been lacking due to substance abuse or current diet. This will help battle depression and anxiety, as these can be perpetuated or even caused outright by poor dieting. Knowing how much a healthy diet can help those in need is only part of the puzzle. Most homeless people don't have the luxury of being able to afford a dietitian, and even if they could talk to one, many would be unable to get stable access to clean and healthy foods needed for the diet. One thing that could be done is expanding food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters, as well as donating better quality food and supplies to these places. Unfortunately, I was not able to find any resources on dietitians or nutritionists working with homeless people, but that would also be extremely helpful if it were done. Sources:
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“Sisters of the Road does not exist to be a cafe; we exist to build relationships.” -On the Ground (documentary) This moto sums up the values that Sandy Gooch and Genevieve Nelson founded their non-profit cafe upon. Since its founding in 1979, Portland's Sisters of the Road has prided itself with being the first non-profit dining facility in the nation to accept food stamps as payment for entrees. In addition to food stamps as payment, Sisters of the Road provides a barter exchange program that offers free fresh meals and farmer’s market produces in exchange for labor at the cafe. They also host a community garden where the food for their kitchen is harvested. Recognizing their mission as “food justice”, their bio states a belief that “everyone has a piece of the truth and that we are all more than the sum of our current situation or past experiences.” The cafe offers a safe and violence-free setting where everyone is welcome to come abide and enjoy a meal. The nonprofit is currently hosting their annual Full Plate Project, which invites donors to help fight food scarcity by contributing to community outreach. Mission Statement: “Sisters of the Road exists to build authentic relationships and alleviate the hunger of isolation in an atmosphere of nonviolence and gentle personalism that nurtures the whole individual, while seeking systemic solutions that reach the roots of homelessness and poverty to end them forever. In 2001, Sisters of the Road launched the Community Organizing Project. They conducted 600 interviews with people who were experiencing homelessness and developed a community-advocacy group. These interviews were completed in 2004 and the information collected was used for qualitative research on homelessness by the University of Washington at Tacoma School of Urban Studies. In 2007 a book entitled Voices From the Street, Truths About Homelessness from Sisters of the Road was published about the research project. In 2013, the business transitioned to a staff collective before launching the Healthy Plate Project and beginning to focus on Food Justice programming. The community garden was planted in 2015. Along with Food Justice outreach, Sisters does much to uncover the realities and root causes of houselessness in Portland.
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When we analyze the perspective on house-less-ness, we can see that many of the so-called homeless population are surrounded by food deserts. Food deserts will cause nutrition deficiencies if the individuals such as the houseless, which are surrounded by fast food restaurants, convenient stores, and are regularly consuming those companies products due to the lack of finance. Many of these companies provide food that has different ingredients that are detrimental to the brain health of people. These products are GMO and grown in the lab, which have unknown long term effects in the future. Food insecurity is not the same as food deserts. Food insecurity refers to a lack or a limited amount of food, while food deserts refers to the " specific geographic areas where residents’ access to affordable, healthier food options are generally restricted or even nonexistent due to the absence of grocery stores/supermarkets/farmers markets "(canr.com). It's important to know that if there is ever a purpose to solving the houseless or "homeless" problem, there should be a way of empowering the individual's mental health, so that they may get back on their feet. Health is one of the biggest factors of causing people to not work, due to the fact that they can't function due to x-amount of reason, or are in Jeopardy of spreading their illness. Covid-19 has been one the primary examples of job loss in the United states causing many evictions, job layoffs, and more. On top of all of that, we have food deserts that still remain as the majority source of food to acquire for the houseless. On the story map website for Portland, Oregon Food deserts are locations where "neighborhoods don't have adequate access to grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, or any of the locations where food is purchasable."(StoryMaps). Fast food is designed to be cheaper compared to grocery food, simply due to the abundance of resources for each of the companies demands. The houseless is surrounded with markets indicated in the companies in the picture below, such as McDonald's, seven-eleven, and many more that have very little nutritional value. There is a direct correlation between mental health, and the food consumption according to the conversation "it is now known that many mental health conditions are caused by inflammation in the brain which ultimately causes our brain cells to die. This inflammatory response starts in our gut and is associated with a lack of nutrients from our food such as magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, vitamins and minerals that are all essential for the optimum functioning of our bodies."(The conversation). Overall, we need to analyze a different source of food alternatives when trying to help the houseless out in the efforts of getting them back on their feet.
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When looking at the homelessness crisis worldwide, it is no surprise that food is the biggest fallback when addressing the word "homelessness" aside from shelter. We must first look at the food that is being handed out to those that are unfortunate because the ultimate goal is to uplift these individuals into a healthy state of mind to improve the chance of integrating back into society. Our focus on homelessness is more in the direction of "Houselessness" and "Nutrients" to change the dynamic of the word choice. Multnomah county reported in 2015 that "3,800 people slept on the streets, in shelter, and in temporary housing, and an estimated 12,000 people doubled up"(PortlandOregon.gov). The majority of the homeless population has malnutrition or nutrient deficiencies. These deficiencies will lead to medical issues and other fallbacks of uplifting the homeless population. The purpose of donation should be of awakening, facilitation, and societal fulfillment to a given population. A significant proportion of homeless people drink alcohol as a way of coping with their stress. It reported across studies: vitamins B1, B2, B6, B9, B12, C, A, and E; hemoglobin; and albumin. The most common deficiencies reported were vitamin B1 (prevalence of deficiency was 0, 2, 6, 45, and 51% in five studies) and vitamin C (29, 84, and 95% in three studies)." (BMC, 2013). All these elements are hard to acquire if the food that is donated may be lacking those elements for the homeless.
During these troubled times, Covid-19 has caused many layoffs, health issues, and deaths. During these times, people are being evicted more than ever before, so it's important to donate to those in serious need of survival. The salvation army is here to hold a donation site for the homeless people in need that need you. Spread the word about the food ingredients and make an impact today! Donate today @-👇👍 https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/provide-shelter/
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Dehydration & Homelessness6/1/2021 A major issue that comes alongside being homeless is the absence of a nutritional diet, most people recognize that. However, another major nutritional issue that people often overlook is the ability for people who are homeless to stay hydrated. While it is easier to stay hydrated in a city like Portland that has high availability to clean drinking water, try staying hydrated in the hot Summer in Phoenix, Arizona - A city that does not have incredible access to clean drinking water. Temperatures can reach up to 120 degrees.
Chronic dehydration can cause UTI infections, kidney stones, kidney failure, seizures and much much more. As mentioned previously, the lack of public water access can make it incredibly difficult for homeless people to get water. This is an issue that needs to be addressed. There is no reason that every city cannot have clean drinking stations like Portland does. If you live in a rather hot part of the country, carrying a pack of water in your car will allow you to help every homeless person you see. Many people are against giving homeless beggars food or money because they believe that reinforces that kind of behavior. A good alternative to giving the homeless money could be to hand out a couple of waters! If you would like to get involved by donating to this cause, check out the link below. Sources:
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The figures are startling: over 550,000 Americans will experience houselessness on any given night, with somewhere between 2.5-3.5 million people experiencing houselessness over the course of the year. As of January 2020, Oregon alone accounted for around 15,000 of those nightly cases. While the population of Oregon makes up only 1.27% of the total US population, the number of houseless individuals represents 2.7% of the total American homeless population. These numbers are staggering, yet things have actually improved from a decade ago and national homelessness is said to be on a downward trend. Living situations have improved among certain populations of houseless peoples such as veterans, families, and the chronically homeless. Despite improvements in some areas, other demographics are still found to be more highly represented in homeless populations than others. While the causes of homelessness are vast and wide, insights can be gleaned by shedding light onto some of these particular groups. Addiction and Mental Illness There’s a clear connection between mental health, addiction and homelessness. In 2017, the National Coalition for the Homeless found that 38% of homeless people were dependent on alcohol, and 26% were dependent on other substances. In most cases, addiction is a result of homelessness, not a cause. Other reports estimate that somewhere between ¼-⅓ of houseless folks live with mental disorders. The lack of stable housing can perpetuate mental health and addiction, and without adequate treatment it is very difficult for individuals to pull themselves out of the homeless cycle. Chronic Illness and Disability Chronic illness and disability are often overlooked factors in homelessness, but this demographic is disproportionately represented in the data. Reports suggest that nearly a quarter of all people experiencing homelessness have a disability. Disabilities can range from physical, intellectual, or developmental and illness can overlap with substance abuse and mental health issues. It is common for people with disabilities to experience discrimination when it comes to housing, wages, healthcare, and employment. These discriminations are a major contributing factor in their disproportionate representation among houseless populations. Veterans It should come as no surprise that military veterans represent a disproportionate amount of houseless individuals. This particular demographic often gets highlighted and prioritized because of their service to the country. Today, veterans represent about 11% of the total homeless population. With the increase in attention and prioritization of this group, this demographic has seen the largest decrease over the past decade--their numbers being cut nearly in half. Race Most Americans can recognize the racial disparities in this country. As related to homelessness, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders are most affected as a group when compared to other races. Native Americans and Pacific Islanders are nearly 10 times as likely to be homeless as the national average. African-Americans, Hispanic/Latinx, and multiracial individuals are also more likely to experience homelessness than the national average. In 2019, African-Americans accounted for more than 40% of all houseless individuals. Hispanic/Latinx experience homelessness through “doubling up”, which is when two or more families or adults cohabitate in the same household. Males According to homeless demographic information, nearly 7 out of 10 individuals living on the street are male. At 69.6%, men are clearly more likely to experience houselessness. Those numbers become even more worrisome when you take into consideration that men are also more likely to experience unsheltered homelessness, putting them at a greater risk to the health and safety concerns associated with houselessness. Youth Youth homeless statistics portray a tragic image. Nearly 20% of all homeless are children, while 6% are considered unaccompanied youth (meaning they are living without a guardian). Whether it is a result of youth having to flee an unhealthy homelife or simply being a product of their environment, homeless youth account for 1 in 5 of all homeless. Due to the sensitivities and vulnerabilities of children, a lot of funding goes toward aid in this demographic. Homeless families are more likely to be approved for aid and sheltered living situations, and teen and youth programs across the country seek to help those in need. LGBTQ Of the unaccompanied youth mentioned in the last section, 4 out of 10 identify as LGBTQ. LGBTQ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their non-LGBTQ counterparts. Unfortunately, without safe shelter and support this homeless demographic is at a higher risk to be prey for human sex trafficking and abuse, and they are over seven times more likely to experience acts of violence than non-LGBTQ individuals. ---- Many organizations are seeking to find solutions to the multifaceted, complex, and dynamic challenges of homelessness. The National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to end homelessness in the United States. The NAEH believes in using research and data to find impactful solutions. They work with local and federal agencies to help effect meaningful policy change, and work with communities to implement those changes. To learn more and find ways you can help please visit www.endhomelessness.org.
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The Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) was, and still is, a program created with the intent of improving the health and well-being of low-income individuals, the elderly, people with disabilities, and other groups of people by providing them with a means to meet their nutritional needs. In Oregon alone, more than 680,000 people receive SNAP benefits. Unfortunately, not many homeless individuals use SNAP benefits because of pre-existing myths about SNAP food stamps. These myths are damaging because they imply SNAP is not easily accessible to homeless individuals because they must meet so many different criterions during the application process.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) is tasked with providing SNAP benefits to anybody who finds themselves in a crisis such as homelessness, domestic violence, and more. Despite this fact many of the homeless in Oregon have not applied or taken advantage of the SNAP program because of myths they have been led to believe. For example, one common myth regarding homelessness and SNAP benefits suggests that the only way to receive SNAP benefits is to have housing and a mailing address which is not true. SNAP benefits are available to individuals who do not have a housing or a mailing address. Another myth is that you need a photo I.D. to get SNAP benefits. Yes, you need proof of identity to sign-up, but the SNAP program allows one to use basically anything for proof of identity, like a school I.D. or a work badge. You also cannot be turned down for SNAP benefits just because you cannot provide a photo I.D. And homeless individuals who get free meals at soup kitchens also qualify for SNAP/Food Stamps. This means that homeless individuals can get SNAP benefits even if they are staying on the streets or already taking advantage of the homeless shelter/soup kitchen benefits. Homeless people in Oregon, and nationwide, have trouble receiving food stamps because they buy in to such myths. But many other factors also make it even more difficult for the homeless to access food stamps. Consider how the National Coalition For The Homeless states that over half the homeless population in America does not receive food stamps (i.e., SNAP in Oregon) because of a lack of knowledge that such programs even exist. Essentially this implies that the homeless population in Oregon might struggle to meet their adequate nutritional needs because of 2 things; false myths and a lack of proper knowledge regarding what one needs to meet SNAP benefit requirements. Maybe this relationship is worth looking into more.
Image sourced from: https://www.nbc12.com/2020/12/06/virginia-continues-emergency-snap-benefits-decemeber/
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Homeless Youth Barriers and Nutrition5/29/2021 When it comes to the thought of homelessness you think about adults not being financially capable to take care of themselves. We must also keep in mind the youth that is affected by being a part of a family that is homeless or just even ones that are not accompanied by anyone. Being a child without a home.is a hard and difficult life to have. Studies show that youth can become subject to "mental health problems, substance use, , and barriers to education and employment"(NN4Y). These effects on youth can have a lifetime lasting hold on them to where it can give low self esteem, depression, and anxiety. Homeless youth turn to drugs and alcohol to help cope with the struggles of being out of a home and with no immediate help from family. There are "40 to 50 percent of homeless youth who report drug problems"(NN4Y), but most get no help due to limited resources and money.
Also, youth children have barriers preventing them from education and employment. "Such barriers include school attendance policies, credit accrual, legal guardianship requirements,9 residency requirements, proper records, and lack of transportation". All of these are things needed for high school and college admittance which is not as accessible as it would be for one with a home. Not being educated and not having up to date social skills as a youth causes you to feel those affects later in life. As a homeless unaccompanied youth your food choices are not as great as they should be as there is not much money that can be used to buy more expensive and healthier foods. Also being a youth, health is not important as it would be to an adult. Eating right is not on the front of the youths mind especially juggling being homeless and limited in society.
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Access to Nutrition5/25/2021 In New York there are over 91,000 people who are homeless on any given night. That is jus over 16 % of the population. As you can see homelessness is a major issue not only in New York but all over the Nation. Many people who are homeless are occupied with trying to find a place to sleep, get some money, and food to eat. It is more important that they find food rather than if the food is nutritional. According to the World Health Organization people should be eating at least 400g of fruit and vegetables. I bet a handful of people who aren't homelessness don't meet the nutritional guidelines. If it is hard for someone who has resources such as a job, house, and work to eat nutritional food. Now imagine how hard it would be for someone who doesn't have those resources or they are limited. For more information check out hearts for the homeless
Articles: https://heartsforthehomeless.org/challenges-of-proper-nutrition/ |