Record requests for food continue
By CHRISTINE HAINES
chaines@yourmvi.com
The demand on the Greater Washington County Food Bank continues to increase, reaching what are believed to be record numbers in May.
“By the end of April, we saw the number of new families applying for food assistance had skyrocketed, with several hundred percent growth in the new requests that they have received during the same time period the last two years,” said food bank spokesman Justin McAtee. “Our staff working with the pantries has processed over 1,000 new applications since mid-March.”
McAtee said the number of applications processed since the COVID-19 crisis began in Pennsylvania in mid-March is equal to a year’s worth of new applications during normal times. The number of food boxes distributed doubled from March to April, with the amount of food distributed jumping from 188,450 pounds in March to 206,105 in April.
The complete May numbers are not yet available, but it is estimated that more than half a million pounds of food has been distributed in Washington County since stay-at-home orders started.
The food bank is distributing boxes of food directly into the trunks of recipients’ vehicles to reduce contact, with between 5,000 and 6,000 boxes being handed out on a monthly basis since the pandemic closures led to layoffs in Washington County.
“While the total impact and long-term implications of this crisis will not be known for some time, there are things we do know,” McAtee stated in a release. “We know that Washington County already had some of the highest unemployment numbers in the state of Pennsylvania. We know that this crisis became as much an economic as a health crisis for the communities in the county.”
McAtee said there are new rules in place for emergency food assistance.
“Right now applications, which can be filled out online with an electronic signature, qualify any individual and their family for three months of food assistance,” McAtee wrote. “Individuals and families in need can also take the steps to apply for SNAP (food stamp) benefits. Greater Washington County Food Bank has a staff member who can assist with that as well.”
Information on applying for SNAP benefits through the food bank is available on its website at www.gwcfb.org/snap.
“Thankfully the community is also rallying together and showing up to volunteer and donate. We really hope that this continues as we cannot do this work without that help,” said Connie Burd, the food bank’s executive director.
The food bank has partnered with area businesses and organizations to host virtual food drives, setting monetary goals so the food bank can use the funds to purchase food items in bulk at reduced prices. The Greater Washington Community Food Bank has added a PayPal feature to its website to allow people to donate funds in a touch-free fashion as well.
Anyone seeking emergency food distribution through the Greater Washington County Food Bank’s Truck to Trunk program is asked to pre-register through the website or by calling 724-632-2190, x107.
