Poster Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM: Room 163 [C2]

Exploring Outreach Practices and Perceived Stigma in Food Resource Organizations

Presenter: Yasmin Abba Souza

Faculty Sponsor: Leda Cooks

School: UMass Amherst

Research Area: Communication and Media Studies

ABSTRACT

While food assistance programs serve as a primary response to food insecurity in the United States, stigma surrounding their use continues to discourage participation and limit positive community experiences. Previous research has documented barriers from the user perspective, however, less attention has been given to how organizational practices and volunteer outreach may contribute to or mitigate these perceptions (Peterson, 2022; Taylor, 2024). This thesis examines how food programs can more effectively engage their communities by identifying and addressing the social barriers that discourage student participation. Using qualitative, semi-structured interviews with managers and volunteers from both on-campus and community-based food initiatives, this study explores how the social atmosphere of food assistance spaces is created and maintained. Specifically, the research investigates how communication styles and practices influence how students feel when accessing resources. By analyzing the disconnect between resource availability and community engagement, this project seeks to identify strategies that promote dignity, trust, and accessibility. The final stage of the research translates these findings into a framework for destigmatized outreach and marketing materials to be used by food initiatives. Ultimately, this study aims to provide campus food programs with insights to improve public messaging and internal practices to foster a more inclusive environment that prioritizes user experience. 

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