BY: ERIC A. AFT
When communities across Second Harvest Food Banks of Northweat NC’s 18-county service area began drawing in, closing the doors first to their schools, then restaurants, and later to all “non-essential” businesses, overnight, or so it seemed, the daily struggles of countless Northwest North Carolinians were exponentially amplified. Families who’d been struggling before the first utterance of “pandemic” quickly spiraled more deeply into economic distress. Newly unemployed families joined the growing lines at our partner food pantries.
As unemployment rates have skyrocketed, hitting their highest levels since the Depression, Second Harvest Food Bank has taken rapid action to provide vital food assistance to the growing number of our communities’ children, seniors, and families facing hunger.
The early arrival of school closures effectively doubled the “summer break” for children and the urgent challenges this brings for many parents who, even in better times, struggle to provide enough food for their children. With families scrambling to stay afloat, Second Harvest re-doubled our efforts. Tractor-trailer loads of emergency food boxes for families and seniors, plus special meal packs for kids, continue to be secured and distributed through our local partners. Second Harvest’s Providence Community Meals program is delivering thousands of meals a day for local children. A new Pop-Up pantry located near our Winston-Salem headquarters is providing access to fresh produce each weekday for local families. When abundant fresh produce, dairy, juices, and other highly perishable items are available, special mobile distributions make sure these nutritious items get to where they are needed most. During these truly unique times, we are constantly seeking and implementing innovative solutions to reach our neighbors in need.
As our communities begin phased re-openings of non-essential businesses, much remains uncertain. I want to assure you that Second Harvest – and the national Feeding America network of food banks of which we are a part – will not relent in our efforts to make sure that no one among us goes without the food they need to stay healthy and live.
At Second Harvest, we believe everyone deserves to eat, every day. Your support is needed so that we can build on our aggressive efforts to push back the rising tide of need in our local communities. The Second Harvest team is working twice as hard, and I am delighted to be able to tell you that your financial contributions will make twice the impact too. Several generous donors have promised to match your gifts dollar for dollar, up to $200, 000 through June 30, 2020.
Second Harvest’s core mission is to feed our community. Your gifts will make a meaningful difference in the lives of families, children, and seniors, many of whom are facing food insecurity for the first time.
Now through June 30, 2020, your gift to Second Harvest will have twice the impact in the lives of neighbors who are struggling, through $1 for $1 match campaign made possible by several generous food bank community supporters.
Give today at SecondHarvestNWNC.org
