Growing up, my grandmother and mom would send me to the IGA (IYKYK) to pick up groceries. Sometimes Big Ma would tell me, “Go ahead and grab a little something for yourself, too.” I still remember being too small to see over the counter, clutching those old school paper food stamps before everything switched to the card. It wasn’t until middle school that I started feeling a sense of shame using them. But later, working as a bag boy at Kroger, I realized just how many families depended on that same support. Food insecurity touches over 47.4 million people every year, that’s about 1 in 7 Americans. As a kid, I knew what it meant to split a pack of ramen in half, to make sure everyone got a bite, or to clean my school lunch tray because I didn’t know what dinner might look like. Even as a young adult experiencing homelessness, I held the constant fear of not knowing where I would be when summer came in between semesters. If I’m honest, with the move to Portland the expenses here were a complete shock to our bank account- carrying a mortgage, and rent, and many other major expenses associated with the move meant that finances were tight. Through my work in justice and mercy, and even working with houseless young adults within the University, I’ve come to understand how deeply food access impacts a person’s ability to flourish. Our family table has always been open, to anyone who needs a meal, a place to rest, or just to feel seen. Even now, as we navigate our own season of a major transition, that offer still stands. No one should go hungry. If you need a plate, a place, or a little bit of love, our door is open. The fire place will be lit. #snapbenefits #foodinsecurity #foodbank #justice #feedthehungry #portland #pdx #hospitality #SNAP