I spoke to executive directors at three of the more than 200 food banks in Feeding America’s network this week. There are 49 million Americans at risk of hunger in this country – that is 1 in 6 people. Here are some of the ways these food banks are meeting the increased need this holiday season.
Joe Schoeningh
Executive Director, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
“A lot of people view Orange County as a unique place in the world,” Joe said. “But as far as food banking goes, we’re actually quite ordinary.”
The need in Orange County is up nearly 35 percent this holiday season. And although the food bank has made great strides in distributing food, there is still a long way to go. At the end of their fiscal year in September, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County had distributed 15 million pounds of product, up from 11 million pounds the year before.
“As our distribution goes up, the need goes up,” he told me. “We are making extraordinary strides here, but there is still a ways to go.”
Of the 15 million pounds of product distributed by Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County last fiscal year, 19.5 percent was fresh produce. This feat is thanks in part to the food bank’s Farm to Family program, which partners the California Association of Food Banks with local farmers and growers across the state.
The food bank is also working to distribute 2,000 emergency food boxes over the next two years through the Emergency Food Project, which prepares boxes of more expensive, nutritionally-balanced items that are often missing from the diets of low-income families.
But Joe said that one of the most impactful programs happening right now is the Grocery Rescue program, through which the food bank picks up product from local retailers, including Walmart.
“This program does not merely allow an increase in pounds, but rather an increase in quality of food,” Joe explained.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County received one of the 35 trucks donated last month to Feeding America food banks. According to Joe, it was the greatest gift they could have hoped for.
“This is a beautiful, expensive vehicle,” he said. “We couldn’t have purchased that on our own and we’re beyond grateful to have it.”
An added bonus, Joe said, was the fact that when the new Walmart truck arrived, it was stocked with food.
“That was a great, great day,” he said.
Phyllis Haynes
Executive Director, Arkansas Food Bank Network
“Our philosophy is that people are hungry year-round,” Phyllis said. “The holidays are a time when people give, but the need is there 12 months a year.”
The need in her community is currently up 23 percent, Phyllis said, with the number of working families or families who have recently experienced a layoff going up, up, up.
In 2008, the Arkansas Food Bank Network distributed 9.2 million pounds of food, and as of November 2009 with one month left to go, the food bank had already distributed 10 million pounds.
“When all is said and done, we’re hoping to have distributed 13 million pounds by the end of 2009,” Phyllis noted.
The Arkansas Food Bank Network partnered with the Arkansas Poultry Federation to distribute turkeys at Thanksgiving and is working with all other food banks in the state in the “Spirit of Giving” annual food drive.
One of the most exciting things to happen at the food bank this fall, Phyllis said, was receiving their new Walmart truck.
The food bank hired a new driver to drive the new Walmart truck, and he has proudly named his new truck, “Grace.”
“Picking up food from Walmart has made a tremendous difference for us,” Phyllis explained. “It’s so incredibly impactful.”
In just November alone, the Arkansas Food Bank Network picked up 117,000 pounds of food from Walmart.
“We are absolutely blessed to have the relationship that we do with Walmart and thrilled that we are here in Arkansas, Walmart’s home state,” Phyllis said. “What’s most incredible is how Walmart gives to us right here in their backyard, but also across the entire country.”
Jermaine Husser
Executive Director, Lowcountry Food Bank
At Lowcountry Food Bank in Charleston, South Carolina, the increase in need for food is up nearly 40 percent.
“That’s why, for us, the Walmart truck gift was so tremendous,” Jermaine told me of his new refrigerated Walmart truck. “Now we can come closer to meeting that need this holiday season with nutritious food.”
When I asked Jermaine what the atmosphere was like at his food bank this holiday season, he told me it was optimistic, positive and hopeful.
“It’s a very tough time in our country and in the Lowcountry,” he said. “But we are working tirelessly to make this holiday season a little less tough for our community.”
One of the most interesting phenomenons Jermaine said he’s seen at the food bank is that many of the people who were once on the giving end toward Lowcountry Food Bank are now suddenly, unexpectedly on the receiving end.
“There are a lot of people in tough situations who didn’t expect to be where they are,” he said.
In Lowcountry’s distribution area, there are many people living in rural, low-income areas. They need support from the food bank, but can’t always get to them. Many of these people are elderly or seniors.
The Lowcountry Food Bank will distribute nearly 4,500 holiday boxes to seniors this month. These are people who need some help this holiday season, but don’t have transportation or means to get to the more urban areas where they might be able to visit a soup kitchen on Christmas day.
“We will make sure those folks have a holiday meal this year,” Jermaine said.