Food Insecurity and Hunger in America
When the pandemic began last year, more American families than ever were thrown into the situation of not knowing where the next meal was coming from. Lines at food pantries snaked around pylons in parking lots as long as the Covid-19 testing lines. And while our country has been dealing with hunger for far longer than the pandemic, most food pantries and shelters still struggle to keep up with the demand.
This updated report from Feeding America states that: “The COVID-19 crisis has dealt a swift blow to the economic health of individuals and communities across the country, and the effects have the potential to be long-term. It took ten years for food insecurity rates to return to pre-Great Recession levels. For now, with no immediate end to the crisis in sight, demand for charitable food assistance is expected to remain at elevated levels for the foreseeable future.”
CLICK HERE for full report.
As an industry, the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers (NASMM), to which we belong, has focused on helping to stock food banks. Our charitable partner, Move for Hunger helps by teaming up with movers and move managers to collect food items that homeowners will not be taking with them and donating them to local food pantries.
CLICK HERE to visit Move Hunger’s website. 
May is the designated month for bringing awareness to food instability and Golden Bridges has participated in Move for Hunger food drives that have collected over 22 million pounds of food in the US and Canada. This year we are starting early on April 17th at the Pittsfield Health and Wellness Fair. We will have our vans at Pittsfield Lake between 10am and 2pm that day. And with the return of the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce’s Dogwood Parade we will again be walking with our shopping carts to collect food donations on May 1st.
We hope you will be able to participate in one of these events! “But what should I donate?” you ask.
When it comes to meeting the greatest need, cash is king. By donating cash, you enable those operating the pantries to purchase what is just right for their most pressing needs. It’s also a good idea to check with the charity to see what they can accept, and what they can’t.
See what some experts have to say on the subject:
https://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/food-banks-need/
https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-blog/what-donate-food-bank-and-what-avoid
https://www.theeverydaymomlife.com/mom-life/donating-to-food-banks/
https://www.delish.com/food/g4557/things-you-should-never-donate-food-bank/
So what are some items that you can bring to these Golden Bridges food drives?
- Peanut butter
- Pudding cups
- Cooking oil
- Boxed mixes (especially if they only need water to prepare)
- Canned meat or pouches of chicken, tuna, salmon, etc.
- Dried fruit
- Flour and sugar
- Spices
- Dried pastas
- Boxed or bagged cereal
- Grains
- Instant coffee and tea
However, if you think that donating gives you an opportunity to clean out your own kitchen cupboards, think again. Food pantries DON’T accept anything that has been opened and half used, any foods that are out of date, cans that are dented or rusted, and anything that was cooked at home.
Helping people live life better. It’s what we do at Golden Bridges… for our clients, and our communities. Please give us a hand this year as we pack our vans full so we can pack the pantries serving those in need.
Susan Scholz, Partner
Golden Bridges