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“Our community knows all too well how slow the pace of recovery from a major Storm can take and how resources are stretched during these difficult times,” says Carlos Rodriguez, Fulfill Executive Director. “We also remember the help we received from our neighbors in the South when Sandy hit, and so along with Feeding America, have offered to send resources as part of getting those food banks back up and running so they can serve the immediate need. There are many opportunities to help.”
Here is a network update From Feeding America.
As people begin assessing the devastation in their communities from Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, food banks and state associations are working together to meet increased needs. Feeding America continues to support the network’s efforts by securing food and funds from national donors and network members, coordinating with government officials and national organizations, and providing technical assistance as needed. Please see below for new information on how the network and national donors are serving people in need during this difficult time.
Hurricane Irma Response
- Puerto Rico. Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico is distributing food and supplies, including disaster relief boxes, to impacted communities. The food bank will support disaster relief efforts in hard-hit areas including Culebra and Vieques.
- Florida. A number of food banks in Florida are temporarily closed, without power and/or unable to access their facilities to assess potential damage, as some areas are experiencing high winds, flooding, downed power lines and other challenges. None have reported major damage to their facilities. They continue to participate in daily coordination calls led by Feeding Florida to determine needs and access additional resources.
- Georgia. The Georgia Food Bank Association is working with network members across the state to share resources, secure product and coordinate participation in state-wide donation management activities. The food banks are working together to provide meals to many evacuees from Florida who are currently in Georgia.
Hurricane Harvey Response
- As of late last week, nearly 8 million pounds of food and supplies have been distributed to people in need thanks to Feeding Texas and network members across Texas.
- Southeast Texas Food Bank started hosting mobile pantries this weekend in Beaumont, one of the cities that was most impacted by Hurricane Harvey. They anticipate that this will be their primary means of distributing food and supplies in the coming weeks as their agencies gradually open up again.
National Donor Contributions
- We have allocated and/or shipped 35 truckloads of food and supplies for Hurricane Irma relief efforts, totaling 1 million pounds.
- We have allocated and/or shipped 347 truckloads of food and supplies for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, including 18 loads of produce, totaling 11.6 million pounds.
- Feeding America and network members have helped develop several unique disaster relief partnerships, including:
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- Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief. Aired on Tuesday, September 12, Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief
- United Airlines. This week, 486 pre-staged ALDI disaster boxes—totaling 14,000 pounds of product—were shipped to Puerto Rico from Newark, New Jersey thanks to coordination over the weekend between United Airlines, Community FoodBank of New Jersey and Feeding America. This is the first time Feeding America has helped ship product to Puerto Rico, and the first air freight shipment made there thanks to a generous donation from United Airlines.
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- US Army. On Saturday, the 53rd Infantry Brigade of the United States Army worked with Feeding South Florida to load 97 pallets of water, MREs, snacks and medical supplies for delivery to three shelters in Miami-Dade County.
We are focused on supporting network members and communities impacted by disasters. Despite what was lost, we remember that we are resilient and dedicated to helping our communities stay strong, no matter what challenges they face.