Three people making a difference this Pride Month

We’re helping fight hunger in the LGBTQ community. | Can't view this? [Read it online.]( [Feeding America.]( [DONATE]( --------------------------------------------------------------- This June, as we celebrate Pride Month, we're honoring some of the generous and brave people within the LGBTQ community who are making a difference for their neighbors experiencing hunger. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Pastor Nikira Hernandez standing in front of their church, with a video play button overlay.]( Click to watch: At Brighton Allston Congregational Church’s food pantry, everyone is welcome. Meet Pastor Nikira Hernandez. As the pastor of Brighton Allston Congregational Church in Boston, they help run a community supper program and food pantry for their neighbors experiencing hunger. Pastor Hernandez is committed to serving everyone, understanding that LGBTQ youth are often more vulnerable to hunger. "As somebody who is queer and two-spirit, serving the queer community is near and dear to my heart," they say. "It's really important that there are spaces where people can go to receive the basic needs that they have without judgment or without fear." [Chelsea Page Moses wearing her 'Miss Trans Global USA' sash in Boston, MA.] Chelsea Page Moses in Boston, MA Meet Chelsea Page Moses. Chelsea started volunteering at the Allston Brighton Food Pantry right after being crowned Ms. Trans Massachusetts. "I know what it feels like to be judged," she says. "I also know that food insecurity and hunger doesn't always look like what people think." [Blue on a rainbow bench in Boston, MA.] Blue in Boston, MA Meet Blue. Blue first came to the food pantry through a food distribution and community event. Their husband has Crohn's and has dietary restrictions due to a health condition that can make it hard for their family to afford groceries. Now they volunteer at the pantry, too. "Volunteering here is about more than providing food; it's about giving people dignity and showing them they're not alone," they say. "We live in trying times, but my hope is that we can treat each other with kindness, recognizing our shared humanity." --------------------------------------------------------------- All the stories of these incredible individuals share a common thread. Each one of them is helping address the reality that those in the LGBTQ community are twice as likely as others to experience hunger, due in large part to discrimination that impacts employment, housing, and more. With such high food insecurity amongst our LGBTQ neighbors, this Pride Month we are proud to lift up leaders in the LGBTQ community and the incredible work they do to provide food to everyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Thank you for joining us in the movement to end hunger for everyone. With gratitude, Feeding America [P.S. You can help create a safe space for your neighbors experiencing hunger by volunteering at your local food pantry >>]( [facebook link]( [twitter link]( [instagram link]( [FeedingAmerica.org]( | [Donate Now]( | [Contact Us]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Unsubscribe]( 161 North Clark Street, Suite 700 | Chicago, IL 60601 | 1-800-910-5524 © 2024 Feeding America