The city of Ames helped fight hunger and homelessness Tuesday with a “Scoop A Soup” event.

“Just because you don’t see it visually in our community doesn’t mean we don’t have citizens who are affected by it,” said Vanessa Baker-Latimer, housing coordinator for the city of Ames.

In big cities such as San Francisco, homelessness is plainly visible. Individuals with no place to go can be seen on street corners asking for donations and attempting to make ends meet.

In contrast, the poverty in Ames is not so clear to the naked eye. According to the United States Census, from 2009 to 2013, 28 percent of Ames was below the poverty line.

“Scoop A Soup” raises awareness about the fact that the issues of hunger and homelessness are real, even in Ames. 

Baker-Latimer has worked with the “Scoop A Soup” event since its beginning in 2007.

She says there are generally 50 to 100 people who attend, and the event changes fluctuates depending on the year. In the past, the city has done educational setups and lectures, but this year the city chose to return to a previous event, “Scoop A Soup.”

Ames City Council members gathered on the west side of City Hall on Tuesday to serve to all who wanted it.

They were joined by different volunteer agencies including the Salvation Army, Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support, Youth and Shelter Services, Emergency Residence Project and many more. These agencies also answered questions and shared information about their organizations.

Baker-Latimer credits these organizations for being the most important people in the process of making the event happen. 

“No matter what we do, we always highlight the agencies that provide the service,” Baker-Latimer said.

Vic Moss, director of the Ames Emergency Residence Project, has been part of the event five years. The event hits close to home for the organization, which provides about 50 people a night with a place to stay. Moss credits the event for raising awareness to homelessness and hunger.

“We really have to look at all different ways of helping the homeless problem. Awareness doesn’t solve it unless we have policies or plans on what to do after. The two together I think are important,” Moss said.