Photos: Youth hunger and homelessness in Minnesota

Homeless and hungry
A homeless young person, 19, writes poems on his cell phone on Thursday, August 25, 2011 in Minneapolis, Minn. He writes poetry to explain what life has been like since he became homeless. For privacy and security reasons, he has asked that his name not be used. The young man left home at the age of 18 due to problems with his family. To get by, he stayed at churches, in shelters, and with friends. He sometimes stole food just to survive. He says homelessness tests your will to live. Now that he is staying at Avenues for Homeless Youth, an emergency shelter and short-term housing facility in Minneapolis, he gets three meals a day and no longer worries about food. Despite all the challenges he has faced, he is optimistic about his future, and hopes to attend Minneapolis Community and Technical College.
MPR Photo/Caroline Yang

Homeless youth in the state -- whether in shelters, couch hopping, or on the streets -- struggle to get enough to eat. Food shelves and meal programs offer help, but some youth have to use their own survival skills to get by.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.