National Food Bank Day–September 4

St. Mary’s Food Bank founded National Food Bank Day to recognize the outstanding contributions of food banks around the country and to commemorate the establishment of St. Mary’s Food Bank by its founder John van Hengel in 1967. John van Hengel came up with the idea of grocery rescue and food banking and the idea spread throughout the country making St. Mary’s Food Bank the very first in the world!

The Coronavirus epidemic has created an increase in the euphemistically called “Food  Insecurity”.

Feeding America provides the following statistics:

1. From the beginning of March through the end of June, food banks nationwide distributed more than 1.9 billion meals to people facing hunger in the United States. In March alone, food banks gave out 20 percent more food than an average month.

2. If people continue to visit food banks at this rate, we will provide an incredible six billion meals this year

3. As a result of the pandemic, Feeding America estimates 1 in 6 Americans could face hunger.

4. Two-thirds of Feeding America food banks across the country are accepting volunteers.  

Many households that experience food insecurity do not qualify for federal nutrition programs and need to rely on their local food banks and other hunger relief organizations for support.