Food insecurity has been a public health crisis in many parts of the world for years, and hunger is worsening with the COVID-19 pandemic.  Due to gender inequality and the unfair treatment of women and girls, women around the world are disproportionately responsible for providing food for their families and also tend to eat last and least. 

Unpartnered women are much more likely than unpartnered men to be responsible for dependent minors under their care, meaning that women often have more mouths to feed with similar or decreased resources compared to men. 

The stress of rising hunger and food shortages affects women in other ways as well, including mental illness and domestic violence. In light of these hardships, many women are forced to fall back on risky behaviors such as sex work to feed themselves and their families.

The need for sustenance and breaking bread with others in community is universal. Often people come to Ritter Center because they need assistance to put food on the table and to stretch their budget. We start a partnership. Although it may start with food from our pantry, this connection spills over into other things such as access to income, health benefits, and other services.  This leads to new beginnings.