The world is hurtling toward an unprecedented hunger crisis.
As many as 132 million more people than previously projected could go hungry in 2020, and this year’s gain may be more than triple any increase this century. The pandemic is upending food supply chains, crippling economies and eroding consumer purchasing power. Some projections show that by the end of the year, COVID-19 will cause more people to die each day from hunger than from virus infections.
What makes the situation unmatched: The massive spike is happening at a time of enormous global food surpluses. And it’s happening in every part of the world, with new levels of food insecurity forecast for countries that used to have relative stability.
In Queens, New York, the lines snaking around a food bank are eight hours long as people wait for a box of supplies that might last them a week, while farmers in California are plowing over lettuce and fruit is rotting on trees in Washington. In Uganda, bananas and tomatoes are piling up in open-air markets, and even nearly give-away prices aren’t low enough for out-of-work buyers. Supplies of rice and meat were left floating at ports earlier this year after logistical jams in the Philippines, China and Nigeria. And in South America, Venezuela is teetering on the brink of famine.
“We’ll see the scars of this crisis for generations,” said Mariana Chilton, director of the Center for Hunger-Free Communities at Drexel University. “In 2120, we’ll still be talking about this crisis.”
Thank you, food pantry staff and volunteers!
Food bank staff and volunteers are on the front lines helping millions of families during the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re working around the clock to keep food banks, pantries and meal programs running because they know that food on the table means so much more than just a meal — it is hope.
At HCAA we’re blessed to have a great staff and great volunteers to help with our mission. In fact, in Harford County, we have a number of Food Pantry Partners helping in the fight against food insecurity — and a number of wonderful people stepping up to help others!
Thank you to all those feeding our neighbors, for your dedication, courage and sacrifice!
Hunger Action Month – Virtual Food Drive
Join HCAA this September for Hunger Action Month — a month where people all over the United States stand together with the Feeding America network to fight hunger. It’s a month to spread the word and take action on the hunger crisis — and dedicate ourselves to a solution!
Please help us fight food insecurity in Harford County, by donating whatever you’re comfortable with to our Virtual Food Drive!