The Science of Dignity: Why Trauma Informed Choice Matters
- Melissa Higbee
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
At Fremont Youth and Community Outreach (FYCO), we are often asked why we use a lottery system and personal shoppers in our food pantry when it would be "so much easier" to just hand out prepacked boxes. The answer is simple: we practice trauma informed care. We understand that
the way a person receives help is just as important as the help itself.
Understanding the Dignity Tax
For many people facing a crisis, the process of asking for help can feel overwhelming or even demeaning. Traditional food pantry models require people to wait in long lines for hours for a box that is a generic handout. They are a number, not a person. This mindset creates a dignity tax to families who are already struggling.
Empowerment through Choice
Lottery System: The lottery system we use for indoor shopping is designed to remove stress. By giving everyone an equal chance to shop first regardless of when they arrive, we create a calm and fair environment. Nobody has to feel the pressure of racing to get a spot in line.
Creating Choice: Our full choice pantry is carefully designed to allow choice without overwhelming our neighbors who are already in crisis. Making even a simple decision is difficult when you have a million things on your plate but just getting a handout is also demeaning. Our pantry takes both of these ideas and creates an environment that allows full choice but eases our neighbors into the decision-making process.
Personal Shoppers: Our personal shopper model is a vital part of this equation. When a neighbor walks through our pantry with an assistant, they are making decisions for their own family with a friend to walk along beside them.
The Benefits of Choice
Reduced Waste: People only take what they will actually eat.
Agency: Neighbors are able to pick out the specific brands or items their family members prefer.
Relationships: Our volunteers listen and offer hospitality during the shopping experience reducing the burden and stress of decision fatigue.
By focusing on the science of dignity, FYCO sets itself apart as an expert in human services. We aren't just distributing resources; we are restoring hope.
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