Harry Chapin Food Bank and the Coronavirus

Harry Chapin Food Bank and the Coronavirus 1488 893 Harry Chapin Food Bank

Friday, April 16, 2021

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping. ‘ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” ~ Fred Rogers

We wonder if Mr. Roger’s mother knew that her words would stand the test of time. There has yet to be an incident that her sage words haven’t rung true for Harry Chapin Food Bank.

Now that we are thirteen months into the pandemic, our food distribution programs are operating at unprecedented levels. We have gone from serving 28,000 people each week to over a quarter of a million people each month. We have gone from distributing roughly 300,000 pounds of food each week to nearly 1,000,000 pounds of food each week. We have also gone from spending $37,500 a month on food to $1 million a month on food. Our new normal involves long days and fast weeks.

Our ability to do this lies squarely on our helpers, our community. Our deepest thanks to the thousands who have helped to ensure that no one has to go hungry. We are forecasting to operate at these unprecedented levels through the end of 2021 and into 2022. Our ability to continue to operate in this new reality rest firmly in your helping.

This week, 467 volunteers worked 1,534 hours for your food bank. These changemakers helped us pack food kits, sort produce and helped us with food distributions throughout our five-county footprint. We are grateful for these changemakers as they are a key ingredient in our sound financial management. If you are well, able, and willing to give your time, please click here to sign up.

We are so grateful to the many of you who have made investments in our food distribution programs. We are so grateful to the many that give their time in the fight to end hunger. We give thanks for your generosity and for being our helpers.

If you are looking for food, please click here.

To support our efforts, please click here.