Bridge Bread Bakery offers a tangible, cost-effective solution to the challenges of homelessness in St. Louis. By providing employment, training, and housing support to individuals experiencing homelessness, we directly address the financial burdens placed on our community.
Consider the costs associated with chronic homelessness: frequent emergency room visits, reliance on shelter beds, involvement in the criminal justice system, and the strain on social services. These expenses are borne by taxpayers. Bridge Bread’s model disrupts this cycle.
Our approach empowers individuals to transition from being a financial drain to becoming contributors. By securing stable employment and housing, our bakers become taxpayers, generating revenue that directly benefits our city. They are also less likely to require costly emergency services, reducing the burden on our healthcare system.
Furthermore, Bridge Bread’s success translates to a reduction in shelter occupancy, freeing up resources for those in immediate crisis. Our program fosters self-sufficiency, decreasing long-term reliance on public assistance. By investing in Bridge Bread, the community invests in a proven strategy that yields significant returns: reduced costs, increased tax revenue, and a stronger, more resilient St. Louis.
We provide a sustainable pathway for individuals to break the cycle of homelessness, ultimately creating a more prosperous and fiscally responsible community for all.
In addition, Bridge Bread Bakery maintains a high profile in the community and that provides opportunities for community engagement on topics of poverty, homelessness, and solutions like our restorative employment program. We participate in many community events and forums, telling the story of ‘Hope in the Baking’.