Rising demand threatens Imperial Valley Food Bank supplies
Adrik Vargas
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Federal furloughs and cuts to food aid are leaving more families across the country turning to food banks, and the Imperial Valley is no exception.
The region already struggles with one of California’s highest rates of food insecurity, and the recent halt in SNAP benefits and furlough of federal employees has only increased the need.
John Reed, Director of Operations at the Imperial Valley Food Bank, said, “We’ve been seeing anywhere from 60, 80 to 100 people a day coming in asking for assistance.”
The food bank has helped nearly 200 furloughed federal workers and their families, but Reed noted that lost federal funding has made it harder to keep up with demand.
“Food banks in general lost federal funding which then meant less food that could be distributed to people seeking food assistance,” he said.
In October, the food bank served hundreds of more families than the previous month, rising from 6,697 to 7,816. The organization also handed out an additional 300,000 pounds of food.
Reed stressed the importance of community support, saying, “That is why we are requesting assistance from the community in form of donations so that doesn’t happen.”
He cautioned that if supplies run low, the amount of food available per family could be reduced.
Volunteers are also crucial to keeping the food bank running. Norma Garcia said helping her community felt like a calling.
“Since there’s a lot of need right now, like with people losing their snaps, there’s so many families with kids and they need sustenance. Come and help…it’s really important,” she said.
The Imperial Valley Food Bank says it is prepared to continue serving the growing number of families in need but emphasizes that donations and volunteers are vital to maintaining its programs.
You can head to the Imperial Valley Food Bank’s website to learn how you can donate or volunteer.