Coronavirus Increases Hunger: Find A Food Bank In DC
WASHINGTON, DC — When you look around D.C., it’s easy to see the effects the coronavirus has had on our way of life. What’s less visible is the number of people who are now worrying about having enough to eat.
Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization, says coronavirus-related economic crises could push the number of food insecure Americans to 54 million by year’s end. That’s 17 million more Americans than who were food insecure before the pandemic. For some, it’s a matter of running short on grocery money before the week is out and eating a lot of boxed pasta and rice dishes.
For others, food insecurity means real hunger.
In D.C., about 81,400 people were considered food insecure before the pandemic, according to Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” interactive study.
Job loss and other economic crises associated with the coronavirus could push the rate of food insecurity in D.C. to 13.1 percent by the end of the year.
Feeding America, whose 200 member food banks include the Capitol Area Food Bank in Washington, D.C., reports both higher demand for services and more need for volunteer and donor support.
Some of food pantries and other services available in D.C. are:
Food Pantry by Bread for the City, SOME (So Others Might Eat)-71 O Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001; 202-695-7816
Community Outreach - Food Bank
by Greater Fellowship Full Gospel Baptist Church, 814 Alabama Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20032; 202-561-5594Martha's Table Markets
by Martha's Table, 1474 Columbia Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20009; 202-328-6608Food Pantry
by SOME (So Others Might Eat), 71 O Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001; 202-695-7816Emergency Food, Food Pantry by Faith Tabernacle of Prayer - 2465 Alabama Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020; 202-678-6012
Emergency Food, Food Pantry by Canaan Baptist Church - Northwest, Washington, DC 20010; 202-234-5330
Helping Hands Food Distribution by First Rising Zion Baptist Church - 602 N Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001; 202-289-4480
Pop-up Pantries and After School Meals
by Capital Area Food BankAllen Food Pantry
by Allen Chapel AME Church, 2498 Alabama Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20020Love Is Action Food Pantry
by Greater Refuge Temple D.C., 500 56th Street Northeast, Washington, DC 20019; 202-388-5605Food Pantry
by Holy Temple Church, 439 12th Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20003Food Markets
by Produce in a SNAP, 4275 4th Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20032Food Giveaway
by New Samaritan Baptist Church, 1100 Florida Avenue Northeast, Washington, DC 20002Food Pantry
by Freedom Chapel Church, 1430 Alabama Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20032
RELATED: Millions Made Hungry During Pandemic Could Include Your Neighbor
Food insecurity is often thought of as a “poor people’s problem,” but not all people living in poverty are food insecure, and not all food insecure people live in poverty. Food insecurity is a complex issue sandwiched in with other systemic challenges, including poverty, low wages, affordable housing shortages, chronic and acute health problems, high medical costs and social isolation.
“Our members are reporting that many of the people they’re serving have never sought food assistance before,” Kathryn Strickland, Feeding America’s chief network officer, told Patch. “Some people are reporting that people who formerly donated to food banks are now seeking assistance.”
Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.
This article originally appeared on the Washington DC Patch