CHICAGO, April 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 100 percent
of food banks in the Feeding America network are serving more
neighbors in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet nearly 60
percent are facing reduced inventory levels amidst rising demand.
This is according to a recent survey by Feeding
America®, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief
and food rescue organization.
All 200 food banks in the Feeding America network responded to a
survey between March 31-April 1 to
identify critical gaps in funds, food, volunteers and distribution.
In addition to increased demand and declining donations, 95 percent
of food banks reported higher operational expenses and 37 percent
reported an immediate critical funding shortfall. These
unprecedented strains are hurting food banks across the
country.
"Last year USDA reported that 37 million people face hunger in
America and the Feeding America network of food banks distributed
4.2 billion meals," said Claire
Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. "This year, the
COVID-19 crisis is driving more of our neighbors into food
insecurity and putting a strain on food banks to provide more
meals. Never has the charitable food system faced such tremendous
challenge, and we need all the resources we can get to help our
neighbors during this terrible time."
Since establishing the COVID-19 Response Fund on
March 13, Feeding America has
distributed $112.4 million and over
94 million pounds to food banks throughout the network, helping
provide nearly 79 million meals to neighbors facing hunger.
Feeding America announced last week that an estimated
$1.4 billion in additional
resources will be needed over the next six months to sustain
operations and continue to provide food for our neighbors
struggling with hunger—a 30 percent increase to the baseline
six-month operating costs of 200 member food banks nationwide.
Key Findings
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis in March:
- 98 percent of food banks reported an increase in demand for
food assistance
- 59 percent of food banks reported having less inventory
- 95 percent of food banks reported higher operational expenses,
and 37 percent reported an immediate critical funding
shortfall
- 67 percent of food banks are accepting and are in need of
volunteers
Press Contact
Zuani Villarreal at
zvillarreal@feedingamerica.org or 312.641.6532
About Feeding America
Feeding America® is
the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200
food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide
meals to more than 40 million people each year. Feeding America
also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food
security among the people we serve; educates the public about the
problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects
people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on
Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
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SOURCE Feeding America