Ali Ibrahim: Ensure that Oregon kids don’t go hungry
Ali Ibrahim: Ensure that Oregon kids don’t go hungry
My name is Ali Ibrahim, and I work for the Somali Oregon Service Center. Our organization serves immigrants, refugees, and other disadvantaged communities across Oregon, ensuring they have the resources and support necessary to build stable, thriving lives.
Hunger is an urgent crisis affecting too many Oregonians, especially those from immigrant and refugee backgrounds. Families who have fled conflict, economic hardship, or political instability arrive in our state seeking safety and opportunity. Yet, they often face significant barriers—language challenges, employment difficulties, and lack of access to culturally appropriate food resources.
Food for All Oregonians is a critical step in tackling this crisis. By expanding access to nutritious food, increasing culturally responsive food programs, and strengthening support systems for disadvantaged communities, this effort ensures that no Oregonian—including immigrants and refugees kids—goes hungry.
At the Somali Oregon Service Center, we have seen firsthand how food insecurity impacts the families we serve. Many parents must choose between paying rent and feeding their children. Children struggle to focus in school due to hunger. These are unacceptable realities in a state as resourceful as Oregon.
On behalf of the Somali Oregon Service Center, I urge legislators to pass Food for All Oregonians (SB 611) to invest in solutions that meet the diverse needs of our communities. By ensuring equitable food access, we are not just addressing hunger—we are promoting health, stability, and dignity for all Oregonians.
Please take a moment today to tell lawmakers: Food for All Oregonians must be part of the state budget.
