Working together to elevate health and restore dignity.
Hope on a Mission
On the first Saturday of every month, Second Chance Foods is proud to cook for Hope On A Mission:HOAM. HOAM is a street ministry working to restore dignity to those surviving homelessness and addiction on the streets of Poughkeepsie. Second Chance Foods believes that food served with love and dignity plays a part in nourishing not just the body but the soul and are honored to be a part of the incredible work HOAM is doing in our community.
Second Chance Foods and Hope On A Mission: HOAM
We’ve mentioned before how Second Chance Foods always factors in who we’re cooking for when deciding what to make. When we cook for HOAM that means considering how we can make our meals easier to eat or take home, what extra fruits and vegetables we can provide and sometimes even how we prep ingredients. Many people who are experiencing homelessness lack access to dental care, so we adjust our meals to include softer foods like mashed potatoes or cut chewy foods like steak into smaller pieces. We also love including a healthy but tasty dessert like bread pudding, peanut butter cookies, or even cantelope wedges. When a program participant asked us to make Chicken Soup, we swapped long noodles for smaller dilatini pasta to make it easier to eat while standing up. We try to provide additional to-go options, like our apple or peach sauces, tuna sandwiches, or even chicken salad. No matter what we make, we make it with love and hope our meals bring joy and assist HOAM in helping our neighbors experiencing homelessness feel dignity.
An exceptional partnership for all involved!
"The experience of prepping a meal in the SCF kitchen during the day, packing our cars and transporting the prepared items to the corner, and serving and filling the plates of our neighbors in need is so rewarding.
Seeing their smiles, helping to stabilize a shaky hand, responding to requests for "a little more," and making eye contact. The whole day is a gesture of love and outreach. It is exhausting and rewarding."
- Kathryn, a regular Second Chance Foods volunteer who also helps serve meals for HOAM with her family.
Hope On A Mission: HOAM
HOAM was founded in 2015 by CaraMia Bacchiochi. Inspired by her history as a homeless, addicted person, CaraMia wanted to give back and help others. She remembers how it felt to be seen as a valuable human being “when I felt seen and heard; I could also see myself and my story instead of pretending that other things didn’t happen.” HOAM works to restore dignity by providing the basic human needs CaraMia understands are absent for people in crisis. “Nothing is thriving in you when you’re experiencing homelessness, addiction, or a mental illness.”
The first “program” was Cara Mia handing out bottles of water and flip flops out of the trunk of a car. HOAM now provides clean clothing, hygiene supplies, a cold beverage, and a nourishing meal. Since they don’t always know how many people they’ll feed, hot meals go fast. They often serve 50 people in the first 20 minutes! If food runs out, they always find a way to feed those that show up, no matter what.
They even have a bed, bath, and kitchen pantry to help supply those basics when people move into housing but still need assistance.
"Anyone who will let us we'll walk alongside them, they become family" - CaraMia, HOAM Founder
Homelessness is not a choice
CaraMia wishes more people understood that around 87% of people in the shelter or street are not there by choice; they’re there by default. Once a person starts using, they no longer have an alternative because this changes their neurochemistry and ability to say no. Not everyone struggles with this, but it’s important to remember that this is not a character flaw. Neurologically, people in survival mode have their executive function (decision-making area of the brain) diminished or disappear.
That’s one reason why HOAM focuses on meeting people where they are at and restoring dignity by reminding them they are more significant than their circumstances. HOAM makes sure basic needs are met, so people remember they’re human and worth value. Food is a great way to do that because you’re still hungry no matter what. Second Chance Foods loves being able to provide healthy and delicious meals to feed and nourish those experiencing hunger.
Interested in getting involved?
Donate To HOAM
One thing that can always help HOAM reach more people is with a donation on their website here! Your donation will help them purchase to-go containers they need to distribute food and restore dignity with love and grace.
Volunteer with HOAM and/or Second Chance Foods
You can join the outreach with HOAM on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings and evenings every week. Send them a message to get more involved or if you’re interested in donating in-kind items!
If you’re a Second Chance Foods volunteer who wants to cook for HOAM sign up for our First Saturdays in the kitchen here!