Preserving Dignity in the Face of Hunger

Abstract

Hunger in the United States has become commonplace. Food pantries are now regularly used by millions of people. Once thought to be used by the destitute, today they are frequented by families, students, the elderly people who hold full-time jobs, and people who thought they would never have to seek assistance to have enough to eat. Viewing food pantries as a major foodways resource, this study focuses on how a New England food pantry seeks to give not just food but also integrity, respect, and hope. It employed a client satisfaction survey as part of an evaluation of the effectiveness of their food pantry and used the data for organizational transformation. This study shows how organizations can destigmatize the requesting food process and provide services in a humane way that treats hungry people as neighbors and friends, not burdens and failures.