Families across The Food Bank's service area are facing new hardships as more and more actions are taken against the spread of COVID-19. Schools have shuttered, removing a regular source of nutrition for food-insecure students, and many businesses have temporarily closed, leaving people with less income to buy groceries or pay bills. The importance of our work grows daily. That's why we are continually adapting to the situation in our community as it develops. Here is the latest information on what we are doing and how you can help.
Maintaining help to families
The Food Bank works with 140 partner agencies and 150 schools across 32 counties, supplying food at no charge for them to distribute to people in need. To ensure the line of nutrition to families keeps flowing, The Food Bank is considered an essential organization. We will continue operating during stay-at-home orders.
The schools we work with have closed, but our partnership with them to get food to students remains. Schools across our service area, such as the Jefferson City Public School District, are running meal services for families. Our Buddy Pack Program is continuing as well, with other schools delivering them or establishing pick-up zones weekly.
Local food pantries, soup kitchens and other hunger-relief organizations make up our 140 partner agencies. Nearly all are continuing to distribute food, implementing new methods, such as drive-thru or delivery models. The Food Bank is continually working with these partners to adopt practices that keep volunteers and patrons safe. Our Mobile Pantries are also continuing, using many of the same methods.
Obtaining food for distribution
The effects COVID-19 has on food insecurity rates are rapidly becoming apparent. What we hear from partner agencies is that the number of people coming for assistance has gone up, with some seeing a few extra families to others having over 100 more people visit than usual. That means we need more to distribute when the supply of food is under strain nationwide. That forces us to purchase more items than usual, increasing our costs. The challenges brought by COVID-19 may also require new distribution methods, adding another expense. We are doing everything possible to ensure we have enough supplies to be a source of food across our service area.
Keeping Central Pantry running
The best resource for residents of Boone County is Central Pantry. The pantry has changed its model from an open store to a drive-thru option available to all who need help with food. People visiting Central Pantry may come with their vehicle, answer a few brief questions in the parking lot, and receive an allotment of food. These precautions reduce traffic through the store and enable good social distancing practices. People looking for assistance can visit sharefoodbringhope.org/central-pantry-boone-county for more information.
How you can help
We have to be frank -- the challenges The Food Bank face are great. The need for help is growing, and the difficulty in providing it increases at the same pace. Support from you, our community, is necessary for us to succeed. The best way to help is by donating and sharing the importance of our mission during this crisis. Our bulk purchasing power allows us to stretch every dollar further in providing food to families.
Thank you for your support. Visit sharefoodbringhope.org to make a gift to feed neighbors or if you need help with food.