Food insecurity and food drives in the USA!

More and more people are experiencing hunger this year. It is something new to them and they do not know how to handle this situation. They have no option to turn to food banks for appeasement of the hunger of themselves and their family. The food insecurity is on the rise and may grow critical with time.

HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY

This year, there has been a surge in the number of hungry and food insecure people in the world and in the USA. This is one of the major side-effects of the coronavirus pandemic that has badly hit the world this year with no sign of coming down.

Food scarcity in the USA in some families (Source: Food Research and Action Center)

This Thanksgiving, a lot of people do not know where their next meal will come from. They are turning to food banks and the food banks say that more than 80% of their banks are seeing more number of hungry people this year compared to one year back.

The food banks do not ask for any documents to give food to needy people. Erica Chomsky-Adelson, the Executive Director of Culture Aid NOLA said:

“So when you come to us, we’re not going to ask for ID, we’re not going to ask for paperwork. Just tell us how many people you’re trying to feed and you’re good,”

CULTURE AID NOLA

This charity was founded out of necessity during the current pandemic. The officials say that there has been a great economic downslide and many people have lost their jobs. Unemployment has peaked and hence food insecurity has also risen. This association provides food to needy people twice a week. Every week it feeds around 3000 hungry people.

Culture Aid NOLA (Source: Culture Aid Nola)

Erica said:

“We’re seeing a lot of people that are new to hunger. They’ve never been in this situation before. And they don’t know what to do,”

“This is a holiday of blessings and of gratitude. And all of that community feeling. And it’s such an honor to be able to serve people tonight, specifically.”

There has been a number of such food drives this season but the need is not temporary. It would be needed throughout the remaining part of this year and maybe beyond the New Year too. The demand for food is rising and it might be difficult to deal with it.

LOUISIANA AND ITS FOOD INSECURITY

Second Harvest Food Bank of the USA [Source: myhchtn]

Louisiana has been the worst-hit place in the US as regards food insecurity. 15% of all the households there are hungry and 20% of the households with children face challenges of obtaining food for the family. Second Harvest Food Bank has reported that it has helped nearly 400k people this year. This number is double the last year’s figures.