Disaster response update

Feeding America reports that food banks in the northeast are recovering slowly from Hurricane Sandy.  All have power now and have discontinued use of generators, but are bracing for a winter storm to hit the area this week, bringing more rain and possibly snow. 

Unfortunately, nearly 2 million people are still without power and there are continued gas shortages in the most severely affected communities.  Transit systems are now operational, but residents are experiencing long delays in getting from place to place.

To date, 124 tractor-trailer truckloads of food and supplies, totaling 4 million pounds, have been donated and have been or are being dispatched to the affected food banks, most especially Island Harvest, Long Island Cares, City Harvest, Food Bank for NYC, The Community Food Bank of NJ, and The Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.  New donations from the food industry in the past few days include 5 truckloads of soup from Heinz and 14 truckloads of Peanut Butter from Smuckers, plus more from Del Monte and Kraft.

Feeding America has raised nearly $1 million for disaster relief with a recent, very significant contribution from Major League Baseball providing the latest boost to our efforts.