Homelessness and Hunger |
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There is a direct relationship between homelessness and hunger. According to a report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors on hunger and homelessness:
- The major causes of hunger in the cities surveyed were poverty, unemployment and high housing costs. The hunger crisis is even worsened by the recent increase in foreclosures, the increased cost of living and the increased cost of food.
- Out of the 23 cities surveyed, 80% reported the requests for emergency food assistance had increased significantly.
According to the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness, money devoted to food is usually the first thing to be sacrificed as families will pay for their rent first. Bread for the World reported that 35% of Americans have to choose between food and rent, while 28% had to choose between medical care and food.
Other homeless and hunger statistics can be found at About the Homeless on our Web site.
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What is Hunger?
The word hunger can mean a lot of things. Hunger is the physical sensation resulting from not having enough food. In the United Sates, it is more “food insecurity” or a lack of access to enough food to fully meet basic needs due to a lack of money. According to the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness, “hunger is the worst-case scenario of food insecurity.” Other statistics are:
- 36 million Americans are at risk of going hungry each year
- 13 million children are food insecure
Other homeless and hunger statistics About the Homeless.
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Meals for Hope
Food-related programs offered at Hope Ministries
Hope Ministries has been committed to serving the homeless and hungry in Des Moines and central Iowa since 1915. Our ongoing commitment includes our Meals for Hope program.
Through our Meals for Hope program, Hope Ministries is serving more than 12,000 meals each month, usually between 300 and 400 meals each day! All of our meals are served free without regard to race, color, creed or religion.
Volunteer meal providers and serves are needed daily year-round
If you or your group are interested in helping us with our food-related volunteer opportunities please contact us at info@hopeiowa.org or call (515) 265-7272 or complete our on-line group volunteer application or individual volunteer application and indicate your area of interest.
Our Meals for Hope program offers several food related volunteer opportunities:
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Meals for Our Shelter and Recovery Residents
On any given night of the year Hope Ministries will shelter up to 260 people. That involves providing three free meals each day, 365 days a year, to residents of our three emergency shelter and recovery facilities—Bethel Mission, Door of Faith and Hope Family Center.
Having three warm meals a day is a vital part of healing and recovery for homeless and displaced men, women and children entering our doors. The meals and shelter we provide allow our residents health and peace of mind so they can fully recover from addictions, past abuses and other painful life circumstances. For most, hope begins with a meal.
Paid staff and individual M25 volunteers along with hundreds of caring volunteer groups from area churches, businesses and civic and service organizations contribute thousands of hours helping us carry out this important ministry throughout the year.
Since we do not seek nor do we accept government grants or supplemental funds that compromise our Christ-centered ministry, private financial and in-kind food donations have sustained our meals programs since 1915.
Direct any questions regarding our meals for our shelter and recovery residents to by calling (515) 265-7272 or send an e-mail to info@hopeiowa.org.
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Holiday Meals
As you can imagine, holidays can tend to be a sad and lonely time of the year for people who are homeless and hungry. They often have no family or are alienated from family. So we put extra effort in providing a nurturing environment for those struggling in our community during our Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter holiday meal celebrations.
In addition to serving hundreds of our shelter residents at our Bethel Mission, Door of Faith and Hope Family Center, we invite hundreds from the general public to join us for an on-site holiday meal at our Hope Café as well as delivering nearly 2,000 in-home meals throughout the greater Des Moines area to the elderly, disabled and shut-ins. This important outreach ministry is accomplished by the involvement of the community through their financial and food donations and from hundreds of volunteers from local churches, businesses, and civic and service groups.
Direct any questions regarding our holiday meals by calling (515) 265-7272 or send an e-mail to info@hopeiowa.org.
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Food-Related Volunteer Opportunities
“Dating back to 1915, volunteers have played a critical role in our ministry to those who are homeless and hungry. Our programs and services are enriched by the hands and hearts of caring Christians who live out their call to serve the less fortunate.”
—Leon Negen, President/CEO
Volunteers are the lifeblood of Hope Ministries. We are blessed by the interest of community members who wish to help those who are homeless and hungry by volunteering with us. Volunteer meal providers and servers are needed daily year-round.
If you or your group are interested in helping us with our food-related volunteer opportunities please contact us at info@hopeiowa.org or call (515) 265-7272 or complete our online group volunteer application or individual volunteer application and indicate your area of interest. We invite you to consider one or more of our food-related volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups. Click here to learn about our food-related volunteer opportunities.
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We provide free meals (open to the general public) every day of the year to homeless, near-homeless and impoverished men, women and children at our