Powerlessness, Gratitude, Shame, and Dignity: Emotional Experiences of Food Pantry Clients

ABSTRACT This study explores the emotional aspects of receiving food assistance and how these experiences may affect future assistance seeking. Through interviews with food recipients, our analysis revealed that individuals experience an overwhelming sense of gratitude, but also a sense of powerlessness, and at times a lack of dignity when reaching out for assistance. We explore how individuals directly and indirectly assert their agency to create a positive outcome despite the circumstances. The findings support the importance of accounting for emotions when researching food insecurity because achieving food security takes more than simply providing emergency food.