News
March 16, 2020Regional Food Bank Plans Increased Service in Response to COVID-19
The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York is actively planning to respond to potential emergency food needs resulting from the COVID-19 crisis. The situation is changing daily, but already food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, and other organizations are reaching out for guidance and support. The Food Bank has already provided additional food for several of its school BackPack Programs to ensure vulnerable children have the food they need if schools close. Some food pantries may close temporarily to protect their elderly volunteer force. In those cases, the Food Bank will either set up special distributions to fill the gaps or provide additional assistance to nearby pantries experiencing an increase in demand.
“We have responded in a positive way to several disasters in the past,” said Mark Quandt, Executive Director of the Food Bank. “But this situation is unique. The level of need for emergency food assistance is unknown right now, so we are preparing for the worst. I want people in the 23 counties we serve to know we are committed to meeting the food needs of people who are negatively impacted by this crisis. We are the only non-for-profit organization in the region that can respond on such a wide scale, and we take that obligation very seriously.”
The Food Bank will need additional financial and volunteer support to meet the need and hopes the community will be generous. Contributions can be mailed to the Regional Food Bank at 965 Albany Shaker Rd., Latham, NY 12110 or made online at www.regionalfoodbank.net. Volunteers can also sign up on that website. Other offers of support, questions, and requests for help can be directed to 518-786-3691 x221 or info@regionalfoodbank.net.
