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Doomed to extinction? The nature and future of volunteering for meals-on-wheels services
- Authors:
- O'DWYER Ciara, TIMONEN Virpi
- Journal article citation:
- Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 20(1), March 2009, pp.35-49.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
Based on interviews with voluntary and paid meals-on-wheels coordinators and staff carried out in Ireland in early 2007, this article examines: (1) the recruitment and retention of volunteers; (2) motivations for volunteering; (3) the nature of the contributions of volunteers; and, (4) the future role of volunteering within the service. The article argues that volunteerism in meals provision for older adults in Ireland is in crisis. The recruitment and retention of volunteers may be improved if service providers gain a better understanding of the motivations of volunteers and develop strategies to ensure that volunteers have an opportunity to engage in work that corresponds to their original motivations, which includes enhancing the social capital of their communities.
Soup runs in Central London: the right help in the right place at the right time?
- Authors:
- LANE Laura, POWER Anne
- Publisher:
- Crisis
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 43p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report aims to provide an independent and objective perspective on soup runs in the London Borough of Westminster. A soup run is broadly defined as any mobile food distribution service operating to serve the homeless. It appears that the issue of soup runs in Westminster has become contentious and controversial. Are they a valuable life-saving resource supporting the vulnerable or an outdated, poorly targeted and uncoordinated service that sustains damaging life styles? This study asked: Who uses the service? Why do people use the service? How important are they and where do they fit in with other homeless services in the borough? Ending rough sleeping has been a clear objective for the government and homeless agencies for more than decade. However current policies have some major gaps particularly for those without recourse to public funds and entrenched rough sleepers. The report suggests that, with their tolerant open-access ethos, soup runs can access many vulnerable people not reached through existing mainstream services. The authors set out proposals for ways forward in dealing with soup runs in Westminster. The most important of which, they suggest, is the need for closer partnership working and communication between the various organisations involved.
Assessing effects of food stamp program participation on food security in female-headed households: do informal supports matter?
- Authors:
- LOMBE Margaret, YU Mansoo, NEBBITT Von E.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy Practice, 8(4), 2009, pp.301-316.
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Using data from the Food Security Supplement to the Current Population Survey for 2003 from the United States, this article builds on previous research by examining the effects of participating in the food stamp program on the food security in the homes of vulnerable women and children. The use of informal food assistance networks such as food pantries, soup kitchens and assistance from family and friends is also investigated and the authors developed an integrated model which posits that the influence of food stamp take-up on household food security will itself be influenced by the level of informal food assistance available. Other sociodemographic variables such as race, and age also had an effect on food security. The authors call on welfare agencies and community based organisations to work together to develop a system to more accurately assess levels of assistance needed. Community based food assistance programs would need to be strengthened to allow this and the authors also call for more research into their role.
Assessing effects of food stamp program participation on child food security in vulnerable households: do informal supports matter?
- Authors:
- LOMBE Margaret, YU Mansoo, NEBBITT Von E.
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 90(4), October 2009, pp.353-358.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
The Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the Food Stamp Program) is one of the largest federal welfare initiatives undertaken to address the problem of hunger and nutrient intake among households in poverty. Using data from the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement for 2003, this study examines the effects of participating in the program on food security among children in vulnerable households, as well as moderating effects of informal food assistance. The authors suggest that the food stamp take-up and informal food assistance are important in understanding child food security in vulnerable households, and that informal or community food assistance programs such as food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens are an additional component to household food security. For children in African American households, households in which the family head works fewer hours than average, and households whose heads report low education, there may be a gap between the supports provided by the safety net and their consumption needs. The authors conclude that consideration could be devoted to understanding correlates of food insecurity in these households, the magnitude of food deficits after food stamp take-up, and specific times of the month when such households experience shortages in food supplies.