Pandemic wanes, school's out but needs for meals continues
Despite signs of recovery in the economy, The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is seeing a 49% increase in children and teens experiencing hunger because of the pandemic.
Posted — UpdatedYour browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
Despite signs of recovery in the economy, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is seeing a 49% increase in children and teens experiencing hunger because of the pandemic.
"We’re going like pedal to the metal everyday without trying to overheat," said Nick Robertson, hunger and nutrition manager at Urban Ministries of Wake County.
The agency operates a food pick-up program from its pantry on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until the food runs out. Right now, it’s providing food to 55 to 65 families each day. The nonprofit is preparing for a summer surge.
"We have seen a definitely way bigger need taking care of the kids. It’s just natural. If you’re not at school being taken care of, you have to be taken care of at home," said Robertson.
The Food Bank tells WRAL News 184,000 children and teens are in need of food in the 34 counties it serves. That’s 1 in 5. It was 1 in 6 before the pandemic.
"It’s going to take a lot of time to recover from the strain of this pandemic. The hunger, you can’t solve it with just one meal," said Sanders.
The Food Bank hopes those grab-and-go meal programs become permanent so it can reach more kids and their families. Right now, a federal waiver is allowing them because of the pandemic instead of having to provide in-person meals for kids to eat on-site. The meals are free for any children under 18.
Related Topics
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.