As hurricane season approaches, Feeding America is preparing for potential disaster-related hunger resulting from floods, hurricanes and tornadoes common during warmer months. Feeding America is the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, providing food and grocery products to more than four million Americans each week. The charity will distribute more than 2.3 billion pounds of food and groceries to low-income Americans this year alone.
At Feeding America's network-wide annual conference in Orlando this week, volunteers packed seven truckloads of food to have on hand in the event of a disaster. The boxes include shelf-stable, ready-to-eat items like soups, granola bars and canned tuna, and are on their way to Feeding America food banks in disaster-prone areas.
Six food banks in key locations within the Feeding America network will serve as regional staging centers. They are now being stocked with more than 1.3 million pounds of emergency food, water and cleaning supplies, which will be quickly distributed to other food banks affected by disasters.
"For many parts of our nation, the upcoming months include the frightening uncertainty of hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes and floods. It is our responsibility to be prepared ready to move food to affected areas as quickly as possible -- and to stay as long as needed," said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America."We are there to feed residents long after these disasters disappear from the headlines."
Feeding America has a trained approximately 80 designated staff throughout the food bank network to serve on support teams in the event of a large-scale disaster. In addition, Feeding America provides specialized disaster training for its food banks around the country, ensuring a prepared network and seamless disaster response.
In 2008, Feeding America distributed more 26 million pounds of food and grocery products to food banks throughout Louisiana, Texas and other Gulf Coast states. This assistance provided much-needed relief as these communities worked for many weeks to recover from the significant wind and flood damage that resulted from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Feeding America, formerly named America's Second Harvest, also provided more than 83 million pounds of supplies to Louisiana and other Gulf States during the months-long recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Learn more about Feeding America's disaster food assistance here.
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About Feeding America
Rooted in the voices of neighbors facing hunger, Feeding America unites the country ensuring everyone has access to food and a thriving future. We support tens of millions of people as part of a nationwide network of 250+ food banks, 20+ statewide food bank associations, 10+ regional co-ops and 60,000+ agency partners, food pantries and meal programs. Powered by leaders and volunteers embedded in local communities, we are one of the nation’s most effective food distribution systems driving immediate impact today—and a catalyst for long-term change through advocating for legislation that improves food security and work to address its factors. We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations and supporters united with the unwavering commitment to provide nourishing food and work to end hunger at its roots so everyone can live fuller, healthier lives. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.