Beyond Hunger Racial Equity Statement

At Beyond Hunger, we believe hunger is solvable. We recognize that hunger and food insecurity are not inevitable nor solely a result of individual circumstances. They arise from a foundation of laws, policies, and practices that purposefully and systematically extend opportunity to some while withholding it from others. In the Chicago region, this has meant that Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) face disproportionate barriers to food security due to the ongoing effects of racism.

For these reasons, Beyond Hunger believes working towards racial equity is essential to ending hunger.

We are committed to addressing the systems that perpetuate hunger and believe that solutions must be led by and in collaboration with the communities most affected. We provide enduring nutrition and serve with dignity, empathy, and intention. By centering the voices of people with lived experiences of food insecurity, we reimagine a future where equitable access to healthy, nutritious food is not just a possibility but a reality for all.

This anti-racist work provides opportunities to unlock new forms of collaboration, creativity, innovation and impact—and is embedded in our mission: harnessing the power of communities to end hunger.

Theory into Action

We define racial equity as the process of eliminating race as a factor that determines a person's access to opportunities, resources, rights, or food insecurity. For Beyond Hunger, this process means:

1. We strive for equity. We examine our own practices so we may eliminate arbitrary barriers for structural inequalities that contribute to food insecurity. We advance racial justice by going beyond providing food to addressing the root causes of hunger. We use our purchasing power to create a more sustainable and just food system by investing in local and BIPOC owned food vendors and growers. We turn the lens internally to evaluate our hiring practices and organizational culture—developing future leaders focused on building just and inclusive practices.
2. We respect and center the expertise of our neighbors. We deepen engagement with the communities we serve through partnerships founded on integrity and trust. To address hunger effectively, we build relationships with our community and Client Advisory Council to identify solutions to food access and nutrition for optimal health. We focus on community building through supportive coalition work while valuing neighbors as leaders and decision-makers in the work. Through such collaborative efforts, we design programming and service delivery models that intentionally foster welcoming and empowering environments and systems that advance long-term food and nutrition security.
3. We take accountability. We are careful stewards of the resources placed in our hands through the generosity of others including food, funds, and the trust of our community members and partners. We act with integrity. Our sustainability is based on the knowledge that each of us has the power to participate in this vital work, regardless of our individual skills, organizational role, talents, or resources. Whether volunteering time, sharing expertise, or donating financially, community involvement has a meaningful and lasting impact. We hold ourselves accountable to these communities and the investments they entrust to us.
4. We advocate for systemic change. We actively build a community of engaged advocates through outreach and education on the causes of food and nutrition insecurity. By galvanizing community members, we strengthen our collective voice to advocate for enhanced food security programs and policies at the local, state, and federal levels. Together, we can work towards a world where everyone has the nutritious food needed to thrive. Together we can end hunger.