Common Questions
If you need help, send us a quick message using our contact form or email: help@amealwithdignity.org.
Soft Bread, Soft Fruit?
Why do we recommend using a Brioche bun or other soft bread for the sandwiches? Why do we recommend softer fruits?
Many homeless and unsheltered have issues accessing dental services and therefore have a lot of issues with their teeth. To prevent discomfort we highly recommend using soft bread when making your sandwiches. We also recommend the fruit you include is soft, ripe, and fresh. A banana is an excellent option. Consider adding a seasonal fruit in addition to a banana for extra nutrition.
Whole Wheat?
Why do we recommend avoiding whole wheat and other hearty grain breads?
Our health advisor Dr. Adrian Aurrecoechea highly recommends we avoid using hearty/whole wheat/whole grain bread due to gastro-intestinal issues that the homeless and unsheltered face. When the homeless and unsheltered have various ailments we want to be extra cautious to avoid any additional burden on their body.
Organic, Fresh?
Why do we recommend fresh and organic produce and ingredients? Won’t our unsheltered or homeless neighbors appreciate anything we give them?
Food can be medicine, if you want to treat someone who is ill, you give them things that will make them well. The food we ingest and give to others should help us recover and feel better. The unsheltered have some resources for food, however, there are very few resources for healthy and nutritious food. We go out of our way to bring fresh and healthy food to begin the long process of recovery. Help be an advocate for improving the lives of those in our communities.
Danger?
I’m worried about the risk, is there danger in interacting with the unsheltered?
When you meet someone in need and present them with something beautifully prepared and packaged in a sanitary and legitimate way - such as the handled bag we suggest and the meal we suggest - the person is grateful. While we do recommend volunteers sign a waiver and as with any human interaction there can be a measure of risk, in over 25 years of feeding the homeless - Joy has never had an incident. Additionally, our volunteers have never had an incident and have been met with so much gratitude and love.
Pictures?
Why is taking a picture and posting a homeless/unsheltered person a bad idea?
We totally love photos! We want you to take as many as you can and share them anywhere you can to get the word out.
Various homeless outreach groups have told us to not take photographs of homeless on the streets as this can lead to unwanted attention from ICE and other groups. If you do take photos of the unsheltered/homeless in your community, please use filters/blurring to hide faces if you plan to share them on a public forum such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or others. Respect your unsheltered neighbor’s privacy and don’t add to their life burdens.
Once you’re done taking photos, please share them with us using #amealwithdignity on any social media platform or email them to: photos@amealwithdignity.org
Purchase Supplies?
Where can I get those bags with handles, the napkins, the paper sandwich bags, and the water?
We have made a list on Amazon where you can purchase the various necessary items to put together a meal or refer to the list when purchasing elsewhere: Purchase Supplies Here.
Most of the items or a variation on the item are available at your local grocery store, discount store, or party store.
The main items you will need are:
Appropriately sized bags with handles - we prefer a paper recyclable bag with dimensions around 10” x 5” x 13”
Sandwich bags - we highly recommend paper sandwich bags to reduce your plastic waste.
Paper napkins - we highly recommend compostable unbleached paper napkins to biodegrade properly in the trash or compost.
Water - to reduce your plastic waste we highly recommend boxed water such as the “JUST Water” brand.
If you need help, send us a quick message using our contact form or email: help@amealwithdignity.org