On April 18, 2020, volunteers at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank were busy packing boxes of food in San Rafael, California. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to what many are calling the “new needy”—individuals who have lost their jobs due to shelter-in-place mandates. While social distancing has been crucial in preventing healthcare systems from being overwhelmed and reducing fatalities, it has also caused an alarming increase in food insecurity. Food banks are struggling to meet the heightened demand amidst dwindling donations and a shortage of volunteers, all while adhering to safety protocols.
As of this writing, over 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment since March 13, the day President Trump declared a national emergency. A staggering 5.2 million of those claims were made in just the last week. Projections suggest that unemployment may reach as high as 16%, far exceeding the 9.9% peak during the 2009 Great Recession that followed the 2008 stock market crash.
Many individuals who were living paycheck to paycheck before the pandemic now find themselves without any income, leaving them unable to feed their families. Consequently, food banks are experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand, with many first-time users reaching out for assistance. In areas heavily impacted by the virus, such as New York City, Seattle, and Cleveland, food banks are struggling to keep up with demand and are significantly over budget. Feeding America, the largest food bank network in the U.S., anticipates a $1.4 billion shortfall in the coming six months. Even less populated regions, like Brevard County, Florida, are encountering similar challenges. Keri James, Chair of the South Brevard Sharing Center, noted, “Groceries are flying off the shelves as fast as we can put them on there.”
Food pantries, like grocery stores, are deemed essential, yet many lack the infrastructure to comply with social distancing guidelines. James explained, “We operate in an old building with close quarters and rely on the many hands of staff and volunteers, so it’s logistically impossible to follow social distancing while utilizing the many hands it takes.”
In the face of these challenges, some food banks are operating with reduced staff to limit volunteer exposure to the virus. Transitioning to a drive-through model has helped maintain social distancing for the public, but it also demands more manpower to coordinate food packaging and distribution to vehicles. In San Antonio, Texas, for example, 10,000 cars lined up for a pop-up distribution event in a single day, while a typical day usually serves only about 400. Eric Wilson, president of that food bank, expressed concern that they might soon have to ration food distributed to families.
In Brevard and other communities nationwide, local organizations and ministries are stepping in to help deliver meals to individuals who cannot visit food pantries in person. James highlighted that this extra support has been crucial for minimizing person-to-person interaction during food distribution.
However, food bank directors remain anxious that federal assistance and public donations may not be sufficient to cover their needs. Some food banks have seen costs triple while demand has surged tenfold or more. James pointed out, “Just like grocery stores, we are under the added pressure of trying to procure and stock food—only we have to do it through donations and our own cash reserves. There is supposed to be an additional $400 million for emergency food through the Family First Coronavirus Response Act, but due to the distribution process, we have no idea when that support will arrive.”
In the meantime, food banks are reaching out to their local communities for help. In Brevard, residents and organizations have rallied to provide support, but food banks like the South Brevard Sharing Center are concerned that their shortfalls may be too great to be bridged by public donations.
If you are in a position to assist, your local food bank is likely in need. James emphasizes that monetary donations are the most beneficial right now. Cash donations allow established food pantries to maximize their purchasing power through partnerships, enabling them to buy food and other necessities at a discount. They can also use funds to build their capacity with additional shelving, refrigeration, bags, boxes, and PPE. Finding your local food pantry is as easy as searching “local food pantry.” Remember that any contribution, whether five dollars or five hundred, makes a difference. “We’ve seen a significant rise in households requiring food pantry services every single week,” James remarked, “and we don’t anticipate that trend reversing, even when things return to ‘normal.’”
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Summary:
Food banks are facing a crisis as demand for support surges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With many individuals losing their jobs, food insecurity is on the rise, overwhelming food banks that are already grappling with decreased donations and volunteer shortages. Local organizations are stepping up to help, but there is growing concern over whether federal assistance and public contributions will be enough to sustain operations. Monetary donations are crucial for food banks to effectively meet community needs.
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