CRISIS RESPONSE FOOD DISTRIBUTION 

Higher food insecurity rates continue to be a symptom of the economic crisis precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Second Harvest and our network responded quickly to keep pace with the tremendous spike in need since the pandemic unfolded in March.

Over the past 12 months, Second Harvest distributed 43 million pounds of food, or food for 35.8 million meals, to people facing hunger throughout the Inland Northwest. That’s 11 million pounds more than the 12-month period ending June 30, 2019. Much of this increase occurred after the onset of the pandemic. In fact, Second Harvest distributed nearly double the amount of food from March to June compared to the same period in 2019. Second Harvest believes the escalated level of distribution will continue for the foreseeable future, especially with the uncertainties of the pandemic, including the enhanced unemployment benefits slated to expire on July 31. 

You can read the stories of some of the people receiving food from Second Harvest during this time here. If you or someone you know needs food assistance, you can find a food bank or Mobile Market distribution near you here. 

STORY OF HOPE 

“It is very gratifying to hear that my donation is going to make it possible for food that otherwise would have been wasted to help people in the community. That’s exactly what we hoped and intended.”  

When a community member found himself with an extra freezer, he knew it could be put to good use as so many people turn to neighborhood food banks for help. It just so happened that the freezer at Off Broadway, one of Second Harvest’s partners serving the high-need West Central neighborhood in Spokane, had just stopped working. The man, who wished to remain anonymous, donated his freezer to Off Broadway, which prevented them from having to turn down frozen food donations and allowed them to distribute more food to people in need. Read more about how this donor made a difference to people facing hunger during the COVID-19 crisis here. 

Off Broadway is currently in need of a refrigerator as well. If you or someone you know is willing to donate a fridge, please contact Second Harvest at 534-6678. 

To sign up to receive our COVID-19 updates via email, please click here.

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