Area food banks expect demand to rise quickly

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

Food banks in the region are gearing up for as much as a 50% increase in demand as the effects of business closures due to the coronavirus begin to be felt.

Participation in the free food programs is generally limited to those who meet income guidelines, are on unemployment or some form of public assistance or a temporary emergency. During the current crisis, most documentation is being waived.

“We’re doing the registration verbally and participants self-verify,” said Beth Burrell, communications specialist with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, which serves an 11-county area including Allegheny and works in partnership with Washington County.

“We were planning to increase to 150% of normal, but now we are wondering if that is going to be enough,” said Connie Burd, executive director of the Greater Washington County Food Bank.

Burd said supplies going out to local food pantries have already been increased by 20%, and while the food bank still has plenty of food on hand, some giveaway events have run out of pre-boxed food because of higher-than-anticipated demand. Burd said online pre-registration is being made available to make sure the demand is met at each distribution site.

Burd said precautions are in place to safeguard participants and volunteers from becoming infected.

“We were in the midst of consolidating the sites to drive-though even before coronavirus and it proved to be a wise decision,” Burd said.

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