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‘Cats Care: Homelessness and Food Insecurity

by | Jan 21, 2021 | Local, Sports

#CatsCare graphic on the DavidsonWildcats.com website.

 

DAVIDSON, N.C. — Throughout the remainder of the 2020-21 season, the Davidson women’s basketball team will highlight various causes and bring awareness to issues that the Wildcat scholar-athletes and coaching staff have chosen to advocate for.

This week’s initiative is centered on raising awareness for homelessness and food insecurity. In an effort to make an impact in the community, the ‘Cats are organizing a collection drive across campus this week, where individuals can donate items such as blankets, coats, personal hygiene items, hand warmers and even face masks. Collection bins will be located throughout campus, in locations such as Commons, Union, Wall and Belk.

Facts about homelessness and food insecurity:

  • Homelessness encompasses varying “insecure situations” (feantsaresearch.org).
    • Those living in emergency housing, temporary housing, and shared housing 
    • Plus those “living on the streets”
  • In the Charlotte Mecklenburg area there are 2,782 people, 1,035 families, 113 unaccompanied youth (from ages 18-24), and 199 veterans experiencing homelessness as of July 31, 2020 (mecklenburghousingdata.org).
  • Black people are more than 40% of the homeless population yet only 13% of the total population. The percentage of the homeless population that is American Indians/Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, or Pacific Islanders is more than double their percentage of the general population (ofhsoupkitchen.org).
  • It is a misconception that homelessness is largely an individual’s decision or problem. The issue runs deeper than this (ighhub.org).
    • Some causes of homelessness are:
      • Structural factors, such as lack of adequate income, rental discrimination and lack of education
      • Individual and relational factors, like mental health issues, death of a loved one or failed relationships
      • Systemic factors, such as lack of mental health support and proper access to medical care

Ways you can help:

  • Avoid making assumptions about people living in homeless situations.
    • Passersby often ignore individuals or subject them to stares, reinforcing their outsider status either by making them feel invisible or making them visible only through negative attention. 
  • Recognize that progress can never be made if people continue to place homeless people in a separate category from society and deeming the issue unsolvable. 

The following organizations offer more opportunities for you to make an impact:

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