FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2025
Breaking the Cycle of Violence Through Food and Wraparound Support
The Food Project’s Model Aligns with NIH Research Linking Food Insecurity to Violence Reduction
Baltimore, MD — A recent study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “Association of Food Insecurity With Multiple Forms of Interpersonal and Self-Directed Violence: A Systematic Review,” has confirmed a long-observed reality in underserved communities: food insecurity is not only a byproduct of poverty—it is a powerful risk factor that contributes to increased violence, including intimate partner violence, suicide, bullying, and child maltreatment.
But it’s also a modifiable factor—and in the neighborhood of Carrollton Ridge, Maryland’s poorest community, the results of addressing it are clear.
The Food Project—a grassroots initiative founded by U Empower of Maryland—
has provided consistent food access alongside wraparound support services, meeting urgent needs while building long-term stability. Over the past four years, this impact has grown through strong partnerships and expanded space, allowing us to bring even more resources directly into the heart of the community.
Proven Community Impact: Crime Rates Drop as Support Increases
Over the past four years, Carrollton Ridge has experienced Baltimore’s largest drop in crime:
Non-fatal shootings declined from 23 to 6
Homicides fell from 15 to 3
Robberies decreased from 46 to 32
Aggravated assaults dropped from 89 to 75
“This is not a coincidence,” says Michelle Suazo, Executive Director of The Food Project. “This is the result of sustained, trauma-informed, and community-rooted investment. When people are fed, supported, and seen—they heal, grow, and protect their neighborhoods.”
Food is Just the Beginning
What started as a meal program has become a transformative hub for healing and progress:
441,775 lbs of food distributed through pop-ups
20,810 meals delivered annually
963 youth empowered each year through food, jobs, mentorship, and services
432 vital documents processed each year (IDs, birth certificates, etc.)
1,440 individuals received MVA reading assistance
353 individuals supported through housing navigation
These interventions directly address the root causes of instability. Informed by community voice, The Food Project tailors services to meet the most urgent needs:
45% of participants require housing assistance
53% need help securing vital documents
56% face transportation barriers
By removing these barriers, the program doesn’t just deliver meals—it delivers mobility, agency, and pathways to economic and emotional security.
A Public Safety Model Backed by Research
The NIH study reinforces that trauma-informed food assistance programs can serve as primary violence prevention strategies. Guided by the General Strain Theory, which connects economic stress to externalized violence, the study highlights the critical importance of addressing food insecurity as a public health priority.
“The Food Project is the embodiment of this theory in action,” Suazo adds. “We’re not just distributing food—we’re distributing hope, stability, and opportunity. And now, we have the crime data to prove that this approach works.”
A Call to Action: Food Security is Public Safety
As policymakers and community leaders seek evidence-based strategies to reduce violence, the success of The Food Project presents a powerful blueprint.
“It’s time to recognize food insecurity as a public safety issue,” says Suazo. “And to invest in wraparound models that bring dignity and support where they’re needed most.”
For Media Inquiries, Contact:
Michelle Suazo
Executive Director,
U Empower of Maryland
The Food Project
424 S. Pulaski Street
Baltimore, MD 21223
4 4 3 . 6 9 0 . 1 6 9 4
michelle.suazo@uempowerofmd.org
www.uempowerofmd.org