Recent studies have found that approximately 553,742 people remain homeless in the United States representing 0.17% of the national population. While unemployment rates have not been this low in nearly eighteen years, we are still collectively fighting to end national hunger. Today, 1 in 6 Americans face hunger many of which include children from low income families. According to statistics from The Annie E. Casey Foundation—an organization that focuses on improving the well-being of poverty-stricken children in the U.S.—, a whopping 14 million (19%) American children are currently fighting hunger.
A reasonable solution has recently 'sprouted' throughout several cities including: Seattle, WA; Boston, MA; Asheville, N.C.; Madison, WI; San Fransisco, CA; and Denver, CO. The locals of these cities have recently taken the initiative to launch urban farming projects in order to provide an abundance of food for the homeless and supply additional fresh produce to shelters and soup kitchens in neighboring areas. These projects involve the replacement of essentially useless arboretum in local parks in exchange for edible landscapes. Fruit trees and vegetables are being planted in these public environments to provide free nutrients to those in need. Produce that appears to remain unharvested for a period of time, is then donated to homeless charities throughout the surrounding areas.
These projects have successfully afforded countless social outreach opportunities in which volunteers of all ages are able to befriend the homeless and lower income families thus weaving a stronger community bond. It comes as no surprise that the motivation of those taking part in these projects stem from getting to know the people whose very mouths their efforts help feed.
With hope that edible parks continue to blossom throughout communities nationwide over the next several decades, perhaps programs allowing the transition of volunteerism could open up to the homeless themselves. Lawmakers could opt to place further screenings in order to ensure welfare is only being provided to those unable to perform manual labor and restrict these jobs for underprivileged families and individuals living on the streets. In return for their efforts, they would be compensated with access to housing, career counseling, and other necessary opportunities allowing them to get a foot in the door of the careers they hold passion. With careful planning, food insecurity should lower, homelessness should deteriorate, and the government will be able to allot their previous used funds to further finance education to underprivileged children without the burden of increasing our national debt.
