Perspectives of volunteers in emergency feeding programs on hunger, its causes, and solutions.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the social beliefs of volunteers in emergency feeding programs (EFPs) regarding hunger and whether volunteer experiences broadened understanding of hunger.


METHODS
An interpretivist paradigm and qualitative methods were used.


METHODS
Seventeen volunteers were recruited and interviewed from three EFPs.


METHODS
Interviews were analyzed using the constant comparative method.


RESULTS
Volunteering in EFPs increased volunteers' awareness of the prevalence of hunger in their communities. More involved volunteers had a greater understanding of the life situations of the hungry. The volunteers felt that increasing self-sufficiency and private responses were appropriate solutions to hunger. The volunteers' attitudes and social beliefs were similar to those of the general public.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions that facilitate interaction between volunteers and clients, promote reflection on volunteer experiences, and provide alternative viewpoints on poverty are needed to broaden volunteers' understanding of hunger and food insecurity.
Edlefsen
Miriam S
MS
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-6376, USA.
Olson
Christine M
CM
D000368:Aged; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology*