Food insecurity is at its highest level in a decade, according to the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri.
The Veterans United (VU) Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to the food bank that’s aimed at hunger in the food bank’s 32-county service area. Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri president Lindsay Lopez tells 939 the Eagle that the grant will improve their ability to serve our neighbors:
“We’re seeing this spike in people who are experiencing food insecurity for the first time. So that’s why we’re here. That’s why we’re here to help,” Lopez says.
She says the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri is spending two to three times more on food and transportation than it was pre-pandemic. She predicts the grant will help bridge the gap between available resources and need.
The grant is aimed at addressing hunger in the food bank’s 32-county service area. Ms. Lopez tells 939 the Eagle that more than 50 percent of those they serve are employed, with some working multiple jobs:
“There’s not one type of person who finds themself food insecure. And it may be one time, a job loss, a medical diagnosis, the death of a spouse, any number of situations. It may be over a period of time,” says Lopez.
Lopez says others are senior citizens or have disabilities.