Hunger Doesn’t Have to Win
All month, we've looked at the invisible crisis of hunger in our cities—how it intersects with homelessness, health, access, and affordability. We've talked about people eating dollar meals because they have no kitchen, skipping food to pay for transit, and developing chronic illnesses from diets shaped by scarcity.
But now I want to shift the focus because as overwhelming as this issue feels, we are not powerless!
Food insecurity thrives in silence and separation. It thrives when we believe it's someone else’s problem. But what I've learned over and over again in this work is that small, thoughtful acts—done consistently and with love—have the power to rewrite the story.
Here are five ways you can be part of the solution:
1. Volunteer where food and dignity intersect. Organizations like City Relief and many others need help preparing and serving meals, packing food bags, distributing hygiene supplies, and offering hospitality to people often overlooked. Your presence matters more than you know.
2. Change how you shop. Support local co-ops, corner stores, or markets that make fresh, affordable food accessible in underserved communities. Every purchase is a chance to live out your values.
3. Carry gift cards. Keep small gift cards to local restaurants, grocery stores, or cafes in your bag or car. When someone asks for help, this is a simple way to offer real nourishment without judgment.
4. Invite people in. Host a meal. Break bread with friends, coworkers, or neighbors and use that space to talk about what you've learned. Awareness grows in community.
5. Give consistently. Nonprofits rely on more than bursts of generosity—they need steady, reliable support to build long-term solutions. Even a small monthly gift makes a big difference.
There's no quick fix for hunger, but there is a path forward, and it begins with us recognizing that food is not a privilege. It is a human right. It's also a connection point, a source of healing, and a daily opportunity to remind someone that they’re seen.
You don't need to solve everything. You just need to do something.
Thank you for walking through this series with me. Thank you for caring enough to read, reflect, and respond. And thank you for choosing to see what many would rather ignore.
The need is real. But so is the hope.
With gratitude,
Josiah Haken
City Relief, CEO
