Food Organizations Supporting the LGBTQIA+ Community You Can Donate To
LGBTQIA+ adults are twice as likely to report food insecurity than adults who don’t identify this way, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
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June is Pride month, and whether or not you’re a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there are countless ways to show support. You can find local pride events in your area to participate in. You can urge local politicians to support queer and transgender rights. And, you can donate to a variety of causes that work to help the LGBTQIA+ community.
One cause we care a lot about is helping people get the food that they need to feel their best. Unfortunately LGBTQIA+ adults are nearly twice as likely to report food insecurity — meaning they don’t have access to adequate nutritious food — than adults who don’t identify this way, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. If you’re looking for a worthy cause to donate to during Pride month and beyond, here are organizations that are helping to feed the LGBTQIA+ community that deserve your support year-round.
The Queer Food Foundation
A grassroots organization aimed at helping queer folks in food. “We are a collective of queer individuals who work at all intersections of the food system — from food justice & culinary to community organizing, media, hospitality, & more,” reads a recent Instagram post from the Queer Food Foundation. They also run the Queer Food Database, which helps connect individuals and food organizations, host events and provide various forms of community support. Currently, they’re fundraising for their mutual aid fund, creation of education and panels, expanding their presence across the U.S., and bringing on paid employees to support their ongoing efforts.
The Okra Project
Based in New York City, The Okra Project was launched in 2018 with the goal of combating food insecurity among Black trans people, 34 percent of whom live in extreme poverty according to the National LGBTQ Task Force. Their mutual aid mission is to provide nutritious meals to Black trans people in need, and they focus on meals that are specific to the cultural cuisines of the African diaspora. They also offer mental health support by providing subsidized access to therapy through the online platform Better Help. You can donate through their website.
Food Bank for New York City
One in five LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers experience food insecurity, and the Food Bank of NYC has been providing support for these and other food insecure individuals for years. With a member network of over 800 food pantries, soup kitchens and community partners around the city, they help get nutritious food to those who need it. You can donate via their website.
Cultivating Change Foundation
Based in San Francisco, the Cultivating Change Foundation hosts an annual summit (this year it’s happening in October in Portland, OR) that brings together LGBTQIA+ individuals who work in agriculture across the world. Through the summit, other events and their ambassador resource center, they offer resources and relationship-building opportunities for community members, including connecting college students to agricultural employers, showcasing LGBTQIA+ leaders and offering professional development. You can learn more and donate through their website.
Gay For Good
According to the organization’s homepage, “Gay For Good mobilizes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) and ally volunteers to promote diversity, foster inclusion and strengthen ties to the broader community.” They have 21 chapters across the country, and each one works with local community partners to organize events and volunteer efforts that support communities in need and bring people together. While not all events and initiatives are food focused, Gay For Good chapters do things like community gardening, cooking meals for those with chronic illness and packing meals at food banks. You can learn more and donate through their website.
A food pantry near you that proudly supports LGBTQIA+ individuals
Large national organizations can have big impacts, but donating to a smaller, more local organization can also support those in need, sometimes even more directly. Many local and regional food pantries work to support the LGBTQIA+ community, and some LGBTQIA+ organizations have their own food pantries, or are affiliated with local food pantries. Below are some examples. You can also search for organizations in your area that offer similar services.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository supports its LGBTQIA+ clientele with identity affirming policies. In an interview with Feeding America, executive director Gregory Gross explained that staff and volunteers always ask pronouns instead of assuming them. They also label tampons, pads and similar items as “menstrual” products, not feminine hygiene products. And, they recruit a diverse group of staff and volunteers to make sure that all feel welcome. You can donate through their website.
The LGBT Life Center in Norfolk, VA runs the Pride Pantry in addition to several other community offerings. It’s open Monday through Friday and available to everyone, no eligibility requirements. You can learn more and donate through their website.
The Los Angeles LGBT Center has a food pantry geared towards helping older adult members of the community. You can donate, purchase food through Amazon for the pantry, or learn more about dropping off food through their website.
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