Weekly Census polls show that minority children, about 14 million, do not eat enough in the United States since the coronavirus pandemic began. At the same time, demand for food has exploded at food banks and is anticipated to increase in the coming months.
These are some of the findings revealed by experts on the subject of food safety during the videoconference “Hunger in America close to Great Depression levels. What can be done? ”, Organized by Ethnic Media Services.
“African American, Latino, and Asian children have been harmed more than those of white families,” said the Reverend David Beckman, president emeritus of the Bread for the World Institute.
He noted that according to the weekly Census poll, there is not a single week in which there is food insecurity. “It’s frightening. What is clear from these data is that families with children are the most affected, and that they do not go to school is a terrible problem for low-income people ”.
One in six families with children say they do not receive the food they need.
That is why the reverend stated that it is really important that people are generous and volunteer to work at local food banks. “My wife is doing it and making phone calls to Latino families who need assistance with rent and food.”
He did see that now is the time for someone to ask lawmakers about the COVID-19 (Heroes Act) relief bill that is pending.
“We are urging people to ask their senators to finish this bill, and then focus on the SNAP food stamp program that allows children to be fed and when schools are closed.”
He stressed that it is also necessary to provide a path to citizenship for the 12 to 13 million undocumented people in the country hiding in the shadows, probably hungry.
Demand for food
Amy L. McReynolds, chief equity officer for the Feeding America program, a national network of food banks and local kitchens that provide food and connect people to services and resources, said they have seen a sustained level of increase since mid-March. from the demand in food banks across the country as well as families who have gone to request food for the first time.
You may wonder – he says – why we are hungry when we live in the richest country in the world.
“As the cost of living continues to rise. People are lagging further behind because their income covers less of their basic needs, housing, healthcare, transportation and food. It has become more difficult for families struggling to survive in this country. ”
Feeding America is now serving more people than ever because of the pandemic. “Before COVID, there were 37 million people experiencing food insecurity in this country. We believe that number could reach 54 million people during the next six months of the pandemic.. That includes almost 18 million children. ”
Those numbers are even more worrying for minorities in this country. “The rates of food insecurity are two, or two and a half times higher than those of their white counterparts. Minority households are more vulnerable to hunger and poverty ”.
More difficult access
Almost 100% of Feeding America food banks have reported that ldemand has increased by more than 60% since March.
“Clients we asked about their experience say it’s harder to make ends meet.”
Amy asked people to vote in the November elections, particularly people who are experiencing food insecurity and poverty in this country. “They must make lawmakers across the country hear their voices through the voting process.”
He acknowledged that it is a concern that immigrant communities have access to food, and they are developing ways to feel comfortable reaching distribution containers.
Hunger emerges
Jovanna López, co-founder of People’s Nite Marketing in San Antonio, whose goal is to create access to fresh fruits and vegetables, said the situation before COVID-19 was already dire because they received donations of spoiled or expired food, but When the pandemic appeared, all poverty and hunger surfaced.
“People, especially the elderly and disabled, without access to transportation and with their immune systems compromised, were stuck in their apartments depending on what they could bring them to eat.”
“One of the stories that struck me was that of an 85-year-old woman whose family did not go to see her often and she was surviving on breadcrumbs. Fortunately, through our connections, she receives a box of fresh vegetables and fruits; and we try to bring him rice, beans and meat when we can so that he has a little protein during the week.
Jovanna revealed that they have struggled to get public officials to help them with donations, so they have turned to the community, pushing for a dollar here and there to bring food to the community.
“I can say that we have fed about 150,000 families, but it has been very disappointing to see that the local government was not prepared for the number of people who need food and our food bank. So what we need is to make sure everyone can eat in a timely manner, not just those over 60 years old. “
