![]() This prevents clients from having to go through multiple intake processes and helps direct them to the best pantry for their needs, according to Andrews. To make securing food more seamless for the growing demand, Feed More is utilizing Link2Feed, a client-based software that records the family size, dietary restrictions and health requirements of their callers in a secured database that is shared with the food pantry they are referred to. ![]() “We did have a number of folks within the service industry,” Andrews said. “They may not know that a pantry is three blocks down the road from them,” said Annie Andrews, Director of Supply Chain Operations at Feed More in Richmond, Va.įeed More’s Hunger Hotline has seen referrals to its network of more than 270 pantries increase by 95% from January to April, and attributes this spike to many first-time callers out of work due to the pandemic. With the pandemic, helping newcomers navigate the vast pantry system has taken on greater urgency. While many are being served through the mass distributions that have grabbed media attention, food banks also continue to rely heavily on their traditional pantry networks to get food to people who need it. ![]() Feeding America reported that nearly 40% of those being served by the food banks in its network are new to food assistance. With over 40 million jobless, the influx of first-time users to the charitable food system is without precedent. In some cases, as with telephone hotlines, the services do the double duty of providing emotional support to people going through a tough time. The tools go beyond the basic pantry locators typically found on many websites, and often take advantage of the accessibility mobile technology offers. Hotlines, text services and even navigation apps are among the tools food banks are using to better connect people to their neighborhood pantries during the pandemic.
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