Something happened today that brought me full circle.
If you’ve ever heard me speak to a group of students, you may know a bit of my story. I dropped out of high school and ran away. I was 17 and doing everything I could to survive—often crashing on couches, always wondering where my next meal would come from. It wasn’t easy, but it shaped who I am.
Today, I got a call from a local high school counselor. He asked if I knew what couch surfing was. I said, “Yes—I lived it.”
A young student had walked into his office and said he left home. He had nowhere to go. And he needed food. The counselor called me because he knows what Trim Hunger does. So we had a volunteer head out to a handful of local restaurants and gather a few hundred dollars in gift cards. No red tape. Just immediate help. We dropped them off at the school so the student could have access to real meals before summer break started.
This is the kind of work that often goes unseen.
Help for a homeless teen
We don’t share stories like these to be praised. Most of the families and individuals we help don’t want the spotlight—and that’s okay. But we want you to know: this is what our mission is about. Quiet, timely acts of care. Filling the hunger gap, one human at a time. Providing help for a homeless teen.
Sometimes I think about the version of myself who was out there, alone, not knowing where to go or how to eat. Helping this student today—it felt like I was reaching back through time to give that kid a little hope.
I knew giving money would not be the answer. When I was starving, when I was a runaway, I would not use the money for food. I would use it for other things, quite frankly, cigarettes or drugs at the time.
We worry about these young ones. We see the pain and the need that still exists in our neighborhoods. And we respond.
Because that’s what Trim Hunger was built for.
Help us catch the ones who fall through the cracks
There are more stories like this one happening every day. When you give to Trim Hunger, you’re not just donating food. You’re helping someone feel seen, safe and supported.
If you’d like to help us respond faster and farther, consider making a donation today or becoming a monthly supporter.
*Donate today
*Become a volunteer
*Learn more about the mission
Every act of kindness keeps someone from going hungry. Thank you for standing with us.
—Josif Wittnik
Founder, Trim Hunger