Feeding America predicts that more than 50 million Americans, or one in every six people might be faced with food insecurity because of the pandemic. The requests for food shipments in Food Bank CNY's 11- County service region clearly shows how people are in dire financial circumstances.
WAER News checked in with Food Bank of CNY for the local impact.
“It’s individuals and families that have never needed help before because of furloughs, job losses, and companies closing,” says Lynn Hy, Chief Development Officer.
As constant food shipments arrive to the warehouse in Baldwinsville, they’re temporarily stacked and almost immediately shipped out within a day. Lynn Hy says the demand for food has clearly skyrocketed from March through October.
“With children not accessing meals at school five days a week, people are stretching their budgets to the limit. When you stretch your budget, oftentimes the first thing to go is food because you have a lot of other fixed costs.”
Hy wants the public to know if they’ve fallen on hard times, they don’t have to slight their daily nutrition… but, it’s happening.
“’Well I’m not going to eat today, or maybe I’m only going to have one meal today, or I’m only going to feed my children today.’ That’s really what the emergency food network is all about.”
To find out where you can get food go to FoodBankCNY.org or call (315) 437-18-99.
