Two Moms Turn Personal Experience With Food Insecurity Into Solutions

Lived Experience: The knowledge and insights gained from an individual’s unique perspective, personal identities, and life history, extending beyond their professional or educational background.

This council exists to leverage the insights of those who know food insecurity intimately — an effort to move beyond assumptions and tackle the issue in a way that truly benefits those affected.

The Council of Experts is the authority on how policies have impacted their access to food, and their insights are valuable in our work to end hunger in Massachusetts.
 

“We have this misconception that people need to be on the streets, starving for them to be food insecure,” Mendes-Sheldon said. 

Mendes-Sheldon, who grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, recalls having an empty fridge during her childhood. “Growing up, I remember my refrigerator was often pretty empty. This added an extra layer of stress in my childhood as in Brazil it is common for people to open each other’s fridges and I was mortified by my fridge’s state. So I would carefully arrange items inside our refrigerator to make it look fuller.”

To break down these stigmas, we need heartfelt conversations and public awareness campaigns to make discussing food access feel safe and normal. 

It is absolutely critical to show people that there’s no shame in asking for help. By sharing these stories, we can shine a light on the policies that impact food access and help everyone feel supported and understood so no one goes hungry.

Programs like SNAP provide essential support to millions of families, helping them afford groceries and alleviate hunger. However, proposed cuts or restrictions to such programs can further strain those already facing economic hardship. 

Russell recalls the frustrations she encountered trying to enroll in SNAP: “If you've never navigated SNAP for real, you don't understand how dehumanizing the process is.” 

Policies that affect food security are vital in shaping how vulnerable communities access nutritious food. At their best, these policies can make a huge difference in people’s lives and ensure that everyone has what they need to thrive.

As a mom, Russell is thankful that kids are able to eat school meals for free. “It definitely had an impact on kids around my children,” she said. “Universal school lunch is a breath of fresh air.”

When families struggle to make ends meet, the first thing affected often is their ability to access nutritious food, which can lead to long-term health issues and reduced productivity.

Think of food security as a part of a web— intricately linked to other problems, like economic instability, healthcare access, and housing insecurity. 

To tackle these challenges at the root, we need good plans and programs. And Project Bread believes that to ensure everyone has enough to eat, we must start with understanding the true struggles and effects of food insecurity.
 

Meanwhile, Russell, who calls herself a natural-born advocate, saw her involvement in the Council of Experts as an extension of herself. Commenting that the past year was marked by plenty of growth and development:

“Being able to be at some of the events that were hosted by Project Bread, being at The Walk for Hunger, doing different outreach with communications, it [has] given me the opportunity to engage with different people and expose them to Project Bread’s mission, expose them to different information and different ideas,” she said.

Russell helped make The Walk for Hunger more accessible, working with the team to add clearer signs, smooth out the route for wheelchairs, invite sign language interpreters, and even include a lactation station.
 

Mendes-Sheldon said the Council of Experts was structured so that council members not only felt empowered but also equipped to share their stories. 

She stated that it's crucial to start with the concept of trauma and how to discuss it through effective storytelling. By framing life experiences in a compelling way, we can foster conversations that drive change and influence policy. 

“The work needed to start by addressing trauma and exploring tools to process and heal, which would then create space for a fresh narrative. Through this process, council members felt gradually ready to share their stories — stories that honor each individual’s path with respect and authenticity,” she said. She added that Project Bread provided members “the leadership tools for them to be able to share their perspectives effectively and powerfully, and to become stronger community leaders and advocates."

The need for diverse input and representation has become increasingly evident. “It's clear that council is needed. It is important for different voices who may not be considered to be involved in these conversations,” Russell shared, emphasizing the value of inclusion in decision-making processes.

Mendes-Sheldon echoed this perspective. “This is an opportunity for people to really speak up and bring their voices to the platforms of power, action, and decision-making,” she said, underscoring the importance of creating spaces where all community members feel equipped and empowered to contribute.

Furthermore, Mendes-Sheldon calls the Council of Experts an innovative way to tackle hunger. “One of our aspirations is to really innovate and build solutions to address food insecurity. But sometimes, walking the talk is easier said than done.” Recognizing the complexities of creating transformative and lasting change shows our commitment to real action. “I think we learned that the greatest impact comes when we do the right things, even when it's hard,” Mendes-Sheldon said.