Overview 

Before college, I often cooked meals for my family, and we usually had a lot of leftovers. I would ask my parents to join me in taking these leftovers to the homeless because I knew they needed them more than we did. This semester, I volunteered in Downtown Indianapolis to serve food to homeless people. Through this experience, I became empathetic and passionate about helping others. I have become aware that some cities don't allow people to serve food to the homeless, and this fact upsets me. Despite some risks, organizations and local governments should let volunteers serve food to the homeless because it greatly helps community health and well-being, encourages community involvement, and offers much-needed support to those in need. This issue is not just about food; it is about dignity, respect and caring for fellow members of our community.

 

Since some cities don't allow people to volunteer and serve food to homeless individuals, the low-income population is negatively impacted. Proper nutrition is essential for survival, and those in poverty often can't access food on their own. It's unfortunate when people who want to help the homeless are prevented from doing so. Being born into poverty makes it very difficult to achieve financial security. People who want to help the low-income population should be permitted to do so.

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Many cities have implemented feeding bans and restrictions that may not allow volunteers to serve food; for example, Birmingham, AL, Chico, CA, Columbia, SC, Costa Mesa, CA, Dallas, TX, and many more, as noted by The Cookware Review. Specifically, in 2006, Dallas, Texas, made new rules that make it hard to give food to homeless people. They said it was because of food safety and littering, so now food can only be given out at spots the city picks. This means groups can only share food in one place in the whole city. Some groups find this makes it hard to help homeless people who aren't in shelters. Even though the city says it’s about keeping food safe, the one allowed spot is dirty and unhygienic. Some charities keep giving out food anyway, and the city has warned them to stop or face big fines and even jail time. This situation shows the ongoing conflict between public safety rules and efforts to help those in need (Feeding).

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Serving food to the homeless can significantly enhance community health and well-being by providing essential nutrition. Francis Torres, a former research analyst at the National Journal with numerous published articles, noted that "According to the most recent national count, 653,104 people were experiencing homelessness across the United States on a single night in January 2023." Homeless individuals encounter numerous difficulties, with access to food being a critical issue. The National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (NSHAPC), sponsored by the Interagency Council on Homelessness, highlighted these needs. Barrett Lee, an academic author with two published books, stated, "Two-fifths report fasting for an entire day (39.89%) and being unable to afford food (39.1%) during the past month. More than one in ten (12%) have engaged in subsistence eating within the past week, turning to trash cans or handouts as food sources. When the five types of food insecurity are considered simultaneously, 81.2 percent of respondents have experienced at least one type, and a large majority have experienced two or more." This data illustrates that homeless individuals across the United States face severe nutritional challenges, often leading to fasting or scavenging for food. The findings by Torres and Lee underscore that homeless people struggle with both housing and nutrition. Allowing food service programs for the homeless in all cities across the United States could reduce fasting and reliance on second-hand food, which would improve overall community health and well-being.​

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"According to the most recent national count, 653,104 people were experiencing homelessness across the United States on a single night in January 2023."

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Volunteering should be allowed in every city because it encourages people to get involved in their community. It helps people get along better, care about each other, and respect the community. This means they're less likely to do bad things like vandalism or hurting themselves or others (Wilson). When people volunteer, they often feel good about their work and develop empathy for others. When it comes to helping homeless individuals, most volunteers come from the middle and upper classes. These people feel empathy for those they serve and want to make their lives better. Tona Haywood, a member of Port of Missions Outreach Ministries, wrote, "By working together with other volunteers, we create a community of people who share the same values and outlook, which is critical for positive change in our community. Volunteering generates an atmosphere of unity, connection, and support and helps us to achieve more than what one individual can do alone. By pooling our efforts, resources, and skills, volunteers build meaningful relationships that create a thriving network of fellow supporters as well as a safe space for those who are struggling; this is especially true in tackling homelessness." By volunteering, people can create a more positive, helpful community and make a difference, no matter how big or small. When cities don’t allow people to volunteer, it significantly impacts community involvement.

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Unfortunately, many people around the world don’t have access to basic needs. That's why volunteering to support those in need is so important. People in need often don’t make much money, so they rely on resources and help from their communities. With restrictions in place, they struggle to get the support they need. According to the Indy Hunger Network, “22 percent of Marion County residents have a food need, meaning they are food insecure. This represents over 209,000 people. About one-third of Marion County residents experiencing food insecurity were not able to meet their food needs, even with assistance.” Thankfully, Marion County doesn’t have food restrictions and bans in place. The data shows that in just one county in Indiana, 209,000 people need food assistance. Even with volunteers helping, it’s still not enough to feed everyone in need. The National Coalition for the Homeless and The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty says, “According to a national survey of homeless people, 28% sometimes or often do not get enough to eat, compared with 12% of poor American adults; 20% eat one meal a day or less; and 40% did not have anything to eat on one or more days during the month previous to the survey.” This data proves that there is a need for support to help those in need. Access to food should be a human right, but recent data shows that many people can’t get enough food. Homelessness needs to be a concern for every city.

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“22 percent of Marion County residents have a food need, meaning they are food insecure. This represents over 209,000 people. About one-third of Marion County residents experiencing food insecurity were not able to meet their food needs, even with assistance.”

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The quality of food served to homeless people is detrimental to their metabolic health according to Divya Rvikumar-Grant, Colette Kelly, and Saoirse Nic Gabhainn, members of the Health Promotion Department in Ireland. The nutritional value of food served to the homeless population is a concern that could have negative health effects. Marianna Wetherill, a professor with 93 published articles, conducted a project that identified nutrition priorities among homeless people. She stated, "Our nutrition needs assessment suggests that among this community-based sample of people accessing soup kitchens, most individuals have one or more nutrition-related chronic health conditions that may be either worsened or ameliorated by the foods they receive." Due to the large number of people being served, it is challenging to address each individual's health concerns, so to prevent harm, volunteers should not serve food.

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While Wetherill's research is valid and important, would you rather people starve or eat food that could potentially worsen their health conditions? According to the American Hospital Association, in 2007, "an estimated 133 million Americans - nearly half the population - suffered from at least one chronic illness, such as hypertension, heart disease, and arthritis." Most of the world suffers from chronic illnesses, yet America still sells food that is high in sugar, processed, and lacks fruits and vegetables. If most of the population who aren't homeless don't eat food that is considered healthy, especially people with illnesses, why are people so concerned with homeless people's health conditions being at risk? This is just an excuse for cities to stop volunteers from serving, simply because they don't want the homeless to expect such services.

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Homeless people who can't get healthy food often end up eating from trash cans. These trash cans are full of bacteria and other harmful substances that can cause homeless individuals to develop diseases and infections. The food they find in the trash is dirty and can have toxins and germs that cause serious health problems. The risks of eating food from trash cans are much worse than the risks of eating food that might not meet health regulations. When homeless people have no other options, they face huge dangers from eating food that has been thrown away and left to rot. While it's important to think about health rules, the immediate danger of eating from trash cans is much worse. Homeless people need safe, healthy food to avoid getting sick. Cities need to find a way to help them get the food they need without putting their health at risk.

 

I volunteered in Indianapolis in October and noticed that unhoused people cared about their conditions just as much as the volunteers. Eating out of trash cans is significantly worse than eating food that may be too high in calories. A report by The National Coalition for the Homeless and The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty addressed myths about homeless people and food. It stated, "Many people believe that food pantries and soup kitchens are so abundant and accessible that every homeless person can get food if he or she desires. Food pantries do not effectively meet the needs of people without homes because homeless people lack the cooking facilities necessary to make use of the food." Serving food to homeless people should be allowed for this exact reason. As a nation, we could collectively donate ready-to-eat food to local homeless shelters instead of boxed food that most homeless people can’t cook. When I volunteered, many options were high in protein, had an abundance of fruits and vegetables, and were generally healthy. Access to food is a human right, and if people have it in their hearts to dedicate their time and money to serve others, volunteering should be allowed without restriction. Organizations and operations that serve food to the homeless play a crucial role in ensuring that everyone has access to basic nutrition.

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"Many people believe that food pantries and soup kitchens are so abundant and accessible that every homeless person can get food if he or she desires. Food pantries do not effectively meet the needs of people without homes because homeless people lack the cooking facilities necessary to make use of the food."

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My experiences before and during college have underscored the critical importance of serving food to the homeless. Volunteering in Downtown Indianapolis reinforced my empathy and passion for helping others, and I have deepened my understanding of the struggles faced by those in poverty. Despite some cities' restrictions on feeding the homeless, organizations and local governments need to allow volunteers to provide this essential service. Doing so not only supports community health and well-being but also fosters community involvement and offers crucial support to those in need.

 

By allowing compassionate individuals to serve food to the homeless, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who are most in need in communities around the world. Additionally, it encourages a sense of responsibility and unity within the community, showing that we care for all our members, regardless of their circumstances. This act of kindness can also inspire others to get involved, creating a ripple effect of generosity and support. Ensuring that volunteers can continue their work without unnecessary restrictions is extremely important for maintaining the health and dignity of people who are homeless or facing food insecurity. By addressing this issue, cities with bans and restrictions can work towards a more inclusive and compassionate society where everyone has access to basic necessities like food.

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Even if some cities have food restrictions and bans, there are still many ways you can give back to your community. You can prepare meals at home and distribute them to people outside the local homeless shelter, donate packaged ready-to-eat food to the shelter, or contribute money to local shelters so they can provide food for the unhoused. If you have the ability to donate, you can at this link. According to Miles Bradley, "Each day, Second Helpings volunteers and staff rescue prepared and perishable food from wholesalers, retailers and restaurants – preventing unnecessary waste. That rescued food is used to create more than 5,000 nutritious meals each day that are distributed to more than 100 social service agencies that feed Hoosiers in need." If you are unable to donate, you can still give back by volunteering in the community. This organization helps people in Indiana. As residents, we can make a significant impact on the lives of those in need to help strengthen our communities. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

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"Feeding Intolerance: Prohibitions on Sharing Food with People Experiencing Homelessness." Food_Sharing-2007, The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and The National Coalition for the Homeless, Nov. 2007, nationalhomeless.org/wp-content/uploads/Food_Sharing-2007.pdf. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024. 

 

Haywood, Tona. 5 Reasons Why Volunteering is Essential to Helping the Homeless in Our Communities, Port of Missions Outreach Ministries , 9 Mar. 2023, www.portofmissions.org/post/5-reasons-why-volunteering-is-essential-to-helping-the-homeless-in-our-communities. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

 

"Health for Life ." Focus on Wellness, American Hospital Association, www.aha.org/system/files/content/00-10/071204_H4L_FocusonWellness.pdf. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024. 

 

John Wilson & Marc Musick, The Effects of Volunteering on the Volunteer, 62 Law and Contemporary Problems 141-168 (Fall 1999) https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/lcp/vol62/iss4/7

 

Lee, Barrett A, and Meredith J Greif. “Homelessness and hunger.” Journal of health and social behavior vol. 49,1 (2008): 3-19. doi:10.1177/002214650804900102

 

List of Cities with Homeless Feeding Bans or Restrictions, The Cookware Review, 6 Nov. 2014, www.thecookwarereview.com/news/list-cities-homeless-feeding-bans-restrictions.html#google_vignette. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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Miles, Bradley. “Second Hepings Services - Food Rescue, Hunger Relief, Job Training.” Second Helpings, Inc., www.secondhelpings.org/what-we-do/.​

 

Ravikumar-Grant, D., Kelly, C. & Gabhainn, S.N. The determinants of the nutritional quality of food provided to the homeless population: a mixed methods systematic review protocol. Syst Rev 12, 118 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02286-2

 

Sindorf, Alex, and Kate Howe. "Manual of Best Practices for Food Pantries." Best-Practices, Indy Hunger Network, www.indyhunger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Best-Practices-website-2020.pdf. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024. 

 

Torres, Francis. "Takeaways and Trends from the 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report." , Bipartisan Policy Center, 20 Dec. 2023, bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/takeaways-trends-2023-homeless-assessment report/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi_G5BhDXARIsAN5SX7qSdgbXlqwbmWsZPkMQOsacYYWkBNhYQN8rppXv1lpasVTAxZDMzYaAuwlEALw_wcB. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

 

Wetherill, Marianna S et al. “Food Is Medicine for Individuals Affected by Homelessness: Findings from a Participatory Soup Kitchen Menu Redesign.” Nutrients vol. 15,20 4417. 18 Oct. 2023, doi:10.3390/nu15204417

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