MISSION STATEMENT: S.O.Z FEED THE HUNGRY PROJECT

To work with food banks, both national and through network member groups to engage the
country and community in the fight to end hunger.

VISION STATEMENT

  • 1Working towards a Hunger Free Society
  • To envision a world in which every hungry family is fed.
  • To become one of the world’s leading non-profit organization, that reaches out to the hungry and homeless in the community and nation at large.

Factors Contributing to Homelessness

Automobile related

– Broken down car, no insurance, tickets, etc.

Automobile related

– Broken down car, no insurance, tickets, etc.

Decline in Public Assistance

– Current TANF benefits and food stamps combined are below the poverty level in every state; in fact, the median TANF benefit for a family of three is approximately one-third of the poverty level. Thus, contrary to popular opinion, welfare does not provide relief from poverty.

Divorce

– Divorce often leaves one of the spouses homeless. Most often it’s the father, but sometimes it’s the mother and children or everyone involved.

Domestic Violence

– Battered women who live in poverty are often forced to choose between abusive relationships and homelessness.

Drug and Alcohol related problems

 – Rates of alcohol and drug abuse are disproportionately high among the population
without homes.

Illness

– For families and individuals struggling to pay the rent, a serious illness or disability can start a downward spiral into homelessness, beginning with a lost job, depletion of savings to
pay for care, and eventual eviction.

Job loss

– No income to pay rent. Lack of affordable housing- The lack of affordable housing has lead to high rent burdens (rents which absorb a high proportion of income), overcrowding, and substandard housing.

Lack of child support

– In families where child support is ordered but not paid, the decrease in income can lead to an inability to pay rent, utilities, or both.

Mental Illness

– Approximately 20-25% of single adult people experiencing homelessness suffer from some form of severe and persistent mental illness.

Natural Disaster/Fire

– Situations where due to chance a fire, tornado, flood or hurricane renders housing inhabitable.

Physical Disabilities

– Disabled individuals may be unable to work or find appropriate employment. For those receiving SSI, they often struggle to obtain and maintain stable housing.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

– This disorder is common with veterans and those that have been in violent situations. It
can make it difficult to have a stable life.

Poverty

– Being poor means being an illness, an accident, or a paycheck away from living on the streets.

Roommates

– When one or more roommates fall through with their end of the bargain that can be a reason for others to lose their housing.

Severe Depression

– Can make it impossible for an individual to maintain a stable life.

Tragedy

– It is surprising how many people just quit functioning because their families died or were killed. Sometimes recently, but other times years ago.

Low Wages

– Declining wages have put housing out of reach for many workers: in every state, more than the minimum wage is required to afford a one- or two-bedroom apartment at Fair
Market Rent.

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