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Addressing Homelessness, Food Insecurity, and Chronic Illness in Underserved Communities

Susan Hendrix • March 26, 2025

Breaking the Cycle: Combating Homelessness, Food Insecurity, and Chronic Illness in Underserved Communities

Homelessness and food insecurity continue to be critical issues in underserved communities, where lack of access to healthcare, proper nutrition, and resources creates a cycle of hardship. Many individuals facing these challenges are also living with chronic illnesses such as lupus, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, with little to no access to medical care.

📊 The Reality:

  • People experiencing homelessness have a life expectancy of just 50 years, compared to 76 years for the general population.
  • 1 in 3 homeless individuals suffers from a chronic illness but faces significant barriers to treatment.
  • Black and Brown communities make up 40% of the U.S. homeless population despite representing only 13% of the total population—a direct result of systemic healthcare and economic disparities.

On March 22-23, 2025, we held our 6th Annual Giving Back to the Community Event, where, in response to the growing challenges of food insecurity and homelessness, we delivered food and provided hot meals to those in need. But our work didn’t stop there—our mission at the Charlie E & Minnie P Hendrix Foundation for Chronic Illness is to also educate and empower communities by providing vital information about chronic illnesses that disproportionately affect underserved populations.

💜 How Can You Help?
✅ Support local outreach programs tackling homelessness and healthcare disparities
✅ Donate essential items such as food, hygiene kits, and medical supplies
✅ Advocate for policies that promote
equitable healthcare access for all

This isn’t just about charity—it’s about creating lasting change. Let’s work together to ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to basic human needs and healthcare.

If you’d like to support our mission or get involved, let’s connect!

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