Among the many casualties of the coronavirus pandemic is a sense of security at America’s dinner tables. More than 54 million Americans may find themselves staring at sparse or empty plates before 2020 is over, according to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization.
That’s 17 million more Americans struggling with food insecurity than before the pandemic. That’s about twice the population of New York City.
Any one of the hungry could be your next-door neighbor — someone like Adriana Rosas, a single mom who cut every bit of fat out of her budget after losing her job to the pandemic but still doesn’t have enough money to adequately feed her family.
“This is the fourth week without a paycheck,” Rosas told Feeding America earlier this year while picking up food for her family at a distribution site in New Braunfels, Texas. “I was strategic with my last one and stretched it out as much as possible. After paying for rent and electricity, it was then that I can think about groceries — it’s crazy to say that groceries come last.”
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!