Community

Throughout 2020, visits to local food pantries increased on average by more than 50% and at times up to 150% during the height of the pandemic. The Food Pantry Support Project was designed by association volunteers and staff to assist food insecure families and local food pantries experiencing exponential need due to the on-going pandemic and existing systematic inequalities that existed pre-pandemic. This project included in-person efforts to purchase and deliver food and member donations to partner food pantries; online engagement to raise awareness of area food pantries, their needs, and service areas; and a grant program for local food pantries to expand their food offerings or facility in light of unprecedented need due to the pandemic. Overall, this project directly impacted over 7,400 individuals, engaged 153 association volunteers and 72 community partners.