News Release

FORT WAYNE — The Rescue Mission is shining a light on poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness in Northeast Indiana during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is an annual event where local volunteers and organizations come together across the country to draw attention to the economic, social, environmental, and personal obstacles many residents in your local community may face. Participants spend the week holding educational, community service, fundraising, and advocacy events to address these critical issues.

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is co-sponsored nationally by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness. The event originated at Villanova University in 1975, and now takes place in nearly 700 communities across the country.

This year’s event occurs during a time that national and local human and social service organizations see increased demand for their services. The Rescue Mission is serving two to three times as many individuals and families than normal during this time of year. The Rescue Mission estimates more than 3,000 Northeast Indiana residents experience homelessness and serves over 2,100 unique individuals each year. “Hunger often precedes homelessness because people who are forced to decide between paying for housing or groceries will, more often than not, choose the former.” said Donovan Coley, CEO/Senior Pastor of The Rescue Mission.

Data provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Census Bureau show more than 100,000 residents are food insecure across Northeast Indiana. “Hunger and homelessness are epidemics that sadly affect too many members of our community,” said Coley. “Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is an opportunity for us to tackle these issues head-on, rally public support, and call for solutions.”