As lawmakers in Washington finalize details on a second round of COVID-19 stimulus, the signs of the pandemic’s financial impact are clear all over the Miami Valley.
In Beavercreek, the non-profit “Feed the Creek” says the number of students it is serving on a weekly basis through the Beavercreek City Schools district is up about eight percent from a year ago – a modest increase.
But where the organization truly is seeing the demand is at its mobile food pantries – wooden boxes, most of them recently built, across the community, where people can leave and take food as needed.
“There’s a huge need for food support,” said Sharon Fulcher with Feed the Creek.
The organization recently sought community help to dramatically expand the number of mobile pantries after seeing the demand this year at the few boxes that already existed. There are now 15 of them now, strategically placed outside schools, fire departments, bike paths and a senior center.
“People can go self serve, get what they need, other people will donate what they can,” Fulcher said.
Fulcher believes the demand at these mobile food pantries is indicative of the pandemic’s financial impact – namely the prevalence of those who are in need of help, but do not necessarily want to call attention to their problems or visit a larger community food bank.
“The people are in a new situation for many of them that have never been in this situation because of the lack of work – or being cut back from work – or people who have lost their businesses,” Fulcher said. “There are people who will not go to a (food bank) to pick up food.”
Feed the Creek said it anticipates it will need more help with donations especially as we get farther away from the holiday season when many are more inclined to make donations.
Cox Media Group
