Food needs expected to rise in the coming weeks

Last weekend's storm and the week long power outages are expected to create increased demand in the coming weeks for several reasons.  Most food pantries and community kitchens were not open this week due to lack of power so people who rely on those programs could not get food.  It's unlikely that people who rely on those programs have a significant emergency supply of food at home.  For the working poor, if their place of business was closed this week, they will probably not have a paycheck next week, so the need will be even greater.

When the food pantries and community kitchens re-open, they may have to discard some food due to improper storage while the power is out.   In addition, we are concerned that food donations from some sources may also be less than usual for a week or two, for similar reasons - their power was out and they had to discard food or they were open and have little food left on their shelves!

Thankfully, a special disaster response donation arrived from Feeding America this morning – over 12,000 relief packages filled with a variety of product to assist those most in need during this time of crisis. An additional 15,000 food items were donated to supplement existing supplies.

These supplies will be distributed to local food pantries to help replenish their shelves and help meet the increased need that we anticipate in the coming weeks. 

This help from Feeding America is great, but Foodshare will need everyone's help to ensure that all in our community can have enough to eat as the disaster shelters close and people return to their own homes.  You can best help with financial support which will allow Foodshare to secure and transport more donations of food from the food industry around the country.  Go here to make a secure online donation if you can help.