Nourishing Dignity: How Food Fuels Hope and Community in Times of Need
In the heart of San Francisco, the Taimon Booton Navigation Center (TBNC) serves as a sanctuary for those in the transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex community, as well as cisgender women. These are individuals who, for various reasons, find themselves navigating an ever-challenging world that doesn’t always see their humanity.
Shira, the Program Manager for Case Management at SF Community Health, spoke with deep empathy about the vulnerability of the community she serves. She shared how quickly a person can fall on hard times, how life can take unexpected turns, and how the existing systems, unfortunately, aren’t built to address the intricacies of their lives. In these moments, ExtraFood steps in to provide nourishment and support, ensuring that individuals who might otherwise go without have access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.
ExtraFood’s role in this network of care is immense. When people are facing the weight of daily survival, something as simple as food can make all the difference. It’s not just about feeding people—it’s about feeding them with respect, with dignity, and with quality. Shira emphasized how crucial this is. “When you’re tired, when you’ve had a rough day, you come back to your space, and you just want to sit down and eat a good meal. That’s where ExtraFood steps in. You don’t just get food—you get variety, nutrition, and a sense of being seen.”
She continued to reflect on the individuals served by TBNC, many of whom face daily struggles of simply getting by. “I’ve seen people sit out in the sun, surrounded by a pile of fresh, healthy food. It’s a moment of peace, of serenity, and it’s profound. Food is not just a physical necessity; it’s an emotional one too.”
What sets ExtraFood apart, Shira said, is the quality and freshness of the food delivered. “Other organizations provide food, but what makes ExtraFood stand out is the freshness and nutrition of what you bring. Often, it’s food people would pay a premium for at the grocery store, and that makes all the difference. Food is comfort, it’s emotional, and it speaks to our humanity.”
Shira shared a particularly heartwarming part of our partnership. “When we get deliveries from ExtraFood, I can hear the excitement in our community. When they see SusieCakes, the smiles are immediate. It’s such a simple thing, but in times of difficulty, something like a freshly baked cake can turn a bad day into a good day.”
The importance of these small moments cannot be overstated. They remind us that food is more than just sustenance—it’s a way to create joy, to foster community, and to remind people that they matter. “When we share food,” Shira said, “we’re not just feeding people; we’re building community. We’re sustaining each other. It’s the fundamentally human experience of sharing food, of caring for one another.”
As we navigate through times of uncertainty, the mission of ExtraFood has never been more critical. Now, more than ever, our community needs us. By providing fresh, nutritious food with dignity and care, we are not only addressing the immediate need for nourishment but also offering a sense of connection, comfort, and hope. Through our work, we help ensure that everyone—especially those facing the greatest challenges—feels seen, valued, and supported.
At ExtraFood, we believe that food is not just about sustenance; it’s about creating a community where every individual can thrive.
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Photo credit: September Days Photography