Norman, Oklahoma has become home to Afghan refugees who fled Afghanistan during the 2021 Kabul airlift. State Representative Jacob Rosecrants has established an interim study to address the food security needs of these refugees. The study aims to bring attention to the fact that while the state has welcomed these families, the existing systems are not equipped to support their adjustment to a new way of life. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program are particularly challenging for refugees who are learning English. The study seeks to find solutions to ensure that these families have access to culturally appropriate food and support services. Representative Rosecrants expressed gratitude towards the local volunteers who have been instrumental in assisting these families and emphasized the importance of backing up words of welcome with meaningful actions [a666f35a].
In a related story, River Adams and their family, Jewish refugees from the Soviet Union, came to the U.S. in 1991. They struggled to survive on the small amount of support they received from welfare and food stamps. Adams and their sister were eventually hired at Roy Rogers, a fast food chain, but couldn't afford to buy food. Their hiring manager, Ed, noticed their financial situation and started giving them leftover fried chicken to take home. This act of kindness changed River's life and gave them hope. Ed took a risk by giving them the food, as it was likely against the rules. Adams remembers Ed as the first American who was kind to them and saved them [287d49b3].
In North Texas, more than 70 Japanese community members, business leaders, and students have launched Nakayoshi, the fourth community affinity group supporting the mission of the North Texas Food Bank. Nakayoshi, which means 'good friend' in Japanese, will work to amplify efforts to nourish neighbors in need through cultural programming, volunteer efforts, and fundraising. The group is modeled after the HungerMitao movement founded by Raj and Anna Asava in 2017 to unite the Indian American community in supporting the food bank's mission. Nakayoshi is now the fourth affinity group at the food bank, with three others connected to the Asian American community. The North Texas Food Bank serves 13 counties in Texas and was established in 1982 by Jo Curtis, Kathryn Hall, Lorraine Griffin Kircher, and Liz Minyard [7e9dccd4].