An Assessment of Needs of Church Coordinators Providing Meals to a Homeless Shelter

Charitable meal services are crucial in sustaining the homeless, but few use nutritional professionals to create a balanced diet or make adjustments for those with specific dietary needs. A needs assessment was conducted among church coordinators responsible for providing meals to clients at a multi-service shelter in Detroit, Michigan. A survey and focus group were used to assess the processes involved in planning, preparing, and providing meals, which provided critical information and insight concerning nutrition and factors influencing meal-planning. According to the survey, a majority of faith organizations responding tried to meet food group requirements every meal. A predominant theme from the focus group was the desire to satisfy clients resulting in a variety and abundance of food enabling poor choices. The provision of healthy options was constrained by efforts to ease meal preparation, desire to provide comfort foods, and having difficulties accommodating diets related to health problems.