Scrolling through the social media photos and videos of most local food banks and soup kitchens, there are many images of smiling volunteers and staff preparing or serving food — especially on or shortly before November and December holidays.
It’s no surprise that there aren’t usually photos of the beneficiaries of such work, at least not smiling. The embarrassment, shame and desperation often experienced by those seeking food relief is often only visible to those at the point of service.
This shame doesn’t exist simply around the time of winter holidays. One director of a Chandler food bank knows summer has its own challenges to food security — as do major changes to government programs.
