Sept 18, 2024
Portland, OR, –– Last weekend, Nourish: The Stories of Justice That Feed Us proved to be more than just an event—it was a powerful display of community, resilience and commitment to justice, galvanizing the Portland community to take action against Oregon’s hunger crisis. Emceed by Portland drag queen Quesa D’Mondays, and featuring live music by youth from Friends of Noise, the event centered stories from four community members sharing personal accounts of navigating food insecurity and embracing advocacy.
Nicole Reksopuro, a high school sophomore at Clackamas High School, shared her perspective as the child of immigrants. “As a little girl, I was oblivious to the struggles my parents endured,” she said. “I always assumed that free lunches from the library were simply rewards after summer reading.”
“Food is a basic human right,” she continued. “No one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, especially in a country that prides itself on opportunity and prosperity.” Her speech encouraged attendees to get involved in advocacy. “Think about the impacts you can have, because it’s time we all take a stand to ensure that every person in this country, no matter legal status, has access to the most basic of necessities.”
Nourish: The stories of justice that feed us came just a week after new USDA data showed that food insecurity rates are rising sharply in Oregon. The event included many ways for attendees to engage in solutions that address systemic hunger, including volunteering and joining advocacy efforts.
“Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon knows that no one form of support is more important than another,” said the emcee Quesa D’Mondays. “Whether you can donate financial resources, time, or expertise, your efforts to strengthen the food justice movement are celebrated equally. We are all partners here, working towards a common goal for our community.”
In a touching moment, Charlie Krouse, community organizer at Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, shared a conversation they had with an elementary student during a back-to-school fair. The student’s school recently announced they are providing free breakfast and lunches to all students, and because of this “her mom was able to quit her second job,” said Charlie.
“Her mom was able to drive her to her first day of second grade this year,” Charlie shared from the Nourish stage. “As a direct result of advocacy, they can now spend more time together as a family and her mom doesn’t have to worry if she’ll be fed throughout the school day.”
Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon is currently championing three critical campaigns to address the hunger crisis in our state. School Meals for All will make school meals available to all students across the state, recognizing that food is an essential part of the school day, alongside buses and textbooks. Food for All Oregonians will ensure that all Oregoniains have access to vital food assistance when in crisis, regardless of where they were born. Hunger-Free Campuses will resource the on-campus benefits navigators that provide critical support to college students.
