Living in the Bay Area one cannot get on or off a freeway or let alone walk down the street (at least in my neighborhood) without being accosted with seemingly "homeless" individuals asking for food/money/assistance in one way or another. After spending the last few months volunteering once a week at the food bank and actually seeing the scope of how much food comes in and out of the facility I wonder why are there still so many homeless people not taking advantage of the programs the food bank advocates? I was walking down the street the other day in my neighborhood in Oakland and I was approached by a teenage looking guy carrying a sign that stated "Far from home" and "Hungry, anything helps." Conviniently, I had one of the handy buisiness cards Sheila had handed out on my orientation day and are just generally lying around the office area at the food bank, so instead of handing him cash I gave him the card.
I thought the card would be a welcome suggestion but boy was I wrong, not only did the guy use some expletives to curse me out, he threw the card in the trash. He said if I wasn't going to help him out then I should just mind my own business then. Um I'm sorry didn't I just try to offer you access to free food like your sign says. I just didn't get the response, I guess it could mean that food is not what this kid really wanted, but I have gotten this same reaction multiple times. The only time anyone ever responded well to me giving them this car was a mother and son duo, they were begging in the park next to my house and I handed them this card and explained what they needed to do to gain access to food immediately. I also told them about the calFresh program and how the food bank's helpline could get her access to an application and they would even fill it out on her behalf if she would answer a few questions over the phone. They seemed truly grateful to gain new information and directions that would provide them some food.
My topic I would like to research is: Why are there so many people still begging for food in Oakland (and the surrounding areas) if the Food Bank offers/provides so many programs that could relieve these people from hunger. What keeps people away from the program?
Hypothesis: I believe that due to the lack of knowledge surrounding these programs and the stigma of judgement around using welfare services, many do not use the food bank. Additionally, preconceived notions about eligibility concerning food bank use may keep those in need away.
Research Method: After my background experience working at the Food Bank and learning about it's programs offered, policies, and general history I would continue my research in discovering how much food vs. the need for food occurs in Alameda county. I want to see how effectively the food bank provides for the county and if the food donated is being used properly.
My next step would be to interview willing participants of many ages and genders that are living on the streets or who beg regularly. I would like to find out why they think that begging is more effective than receiving assistance from the food bank's partners. Also, I would like to pass out a survey to a large amount of residents in Alameda county to get an idea about who actually know the requirements to qualify for calFresh. I think by spending time with homeless individuals and trying to understand how they go about gaining access to food daily, as well as, gaining a large scale understanding about how much the residents in Alameda county know about their options concerning hunger issues, I would be able to provide new insight into the reasons why individuals still beg on the street for food instead of making use of the food banks in the areas. The food bank would be able to use my information to re-market their products and services and be able to use their donations in a more efficient manner.
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