Our Senior Meals participant, Julia, pictured here advocating for anti-hunger and anti-poverty legislation at Hunger Action Day 2026.
Meet Julia Miranda, a participant of our Senior Meals program for over 8 years.
Getting to know Julia
Born in Texas as a 2nd-generation Mexican-American, Julia began working in the fields at just 5 years old while helping to raise her 9 siblings. Then, when she was 13 years old, her family moved to Eastern Washington. She, her family, and her sister all live in Seattle now.
Throughout her life, Julia found herself in many situations where she had to speak up for herself and her community against institutional racism and discrimination. As a special education and bilingual teacher, she supported adolescents facing immigration issues. She also fought and defeated cancer twice. These experiences of hardship molded her into a strong advocate for her needs and the needs of her community.
Like many seniors in our neighborhood, Julia faces challenges accessing affordable and nutritious food. In addition to the meals HIP provides, she supplements her diet by growing her own food. She is an avid gardener and takes care of her P-Patch along with her neighbors, growing plenty of zucchini, tomatoes, oregano, and more. She enjoys sharing vegetables and herbs with her friends and the sense of community the gardeners cultivate by helping one another.
At Senior Meals
Julia’s first experience with our program was through her mother. Julia wanted her elderly mother to socialize and get out of the house. Her mom’s friend invited them to our program at the Lake City Community Center, where they took a yoga class provided by Sound Generations and got lunch. Since then, the pair never looked back. She appreciates how the programs improve her health, her sense of peace, and her ability to connect with others.
“I love the diversity here. I get acquainted with friends. Here, it provides me with the nutrition that I need- well balanced and well thought out.”
Advocating at the Capitol
In February 2026, Julia joined us on Hunger Action Day in Olympia to advocate for anti-hunger policies with state legislators. She spoke truth to power, telling her story and explaining that state programs like SNAP and local nonprofits like HIP are essential for accessing vital resources. Reflecting on her day in Olympia, she said,
“I was glad to go and see that my voice matters. I want to go again next year.”
And she is not exaggerating – thanks in part to her speaking up, many of the bills we advocated for passed. We appreciate Julia and others using their voices to help make change possible!
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