The River Bend Foodbank continues to provide record numbers of meals to people in northwestern Illinois and eastern Iowa. Michelle O'Neill reports.
President and CEO, Mike Miller, says the pandemic arrived more than ten years after the Great Recession. And it hit just as the food bank was ready to announce that "food insecurity" had dropped below the pre-recession levels of 2008.
Demand has increased from about 106,000 people not having enough food, to 160,000. Miller says operations are more difficult with COVID-19 measures in place, such as social distancing and no contact food delivery. The River Bend Foodbank is just now starting to invite volunteers back to help.
Supply chains have also been seriously interrupted. Miller says this is a marathon, and people can help by donating and learning more online HERE. People who need help can also find out where to go for food and meals in their own communities.