According to a report by Feeding America, more than 53 million people turned to food banks, pantries and meal programs in 2021. That’s one-Third more than had been using the services prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CEO of Feeding America, Claire Babineauz-Fontenot pointed out how the pandemic showed how many live on the brink of needing help with food and finances. Babineaux-Fontenot also said how community food programs have become a staple in many household budgets with the supply chain issues and inflation on the rise while calling for solutions to end hunger by 2030.
With the highest inflation rates in more than 40 years happening, food prices have risen over 10% and a recent Feeding America survey said that 80% of food banks had increased or steady demand.
Feeding America launched Elevating Voices to End Hunger Together in late May. Currently underway, the initiative will talk to those who are currently living or have lived with food insecurity across the nation via text message conversations, listening sessions and questionnaires. The data will be published later this summer and used to help inform the White House and other elected officials at a conference about Health, Nutrition and Hunger this September.
Feeding America is appealing to Congress and the Department of Agriculture to find ways. to support the food bank networks and help those turning to community food programs for help.
SOURCE: PRNnewswire