Published : 29 April 2020
“As closures caused by the coronavirus lead to a rise in unemployment and poverty, more people will experience food insecurity” (Feeding America, 2020).
“With schools closing for the safety of children and communities, feeding programs that can fill the gap for kids are more critical than ever” (Red Nose Day, 2020).
“An unprecedented number of Americans have resorted to food banks for emergency supplies since the coronavirus pandemic triggered widespread layoffs” (The Guardian, 2020).
These three recent articles illustrate that food banks are “facing a dual challenge in the era of COVID-19: drastically overhaul the way they do business – with fewer volunteers and less person-to-person contact – while trying to feed a surge of Americans newly facing food insecurity” (NBC, 2020). “Food donations are down, which means food banks have to find alternate ways to procure the same stream of supply. They’ve turned to purchasing food themselves using larger portions of their budgets to make it happen” (CNBC, 2020).
During periods of social and economic struggle is when communities rely upon the nonprofit sector to step in and provide vital services for populations in need. Whether it is mental health, social services, housing, or nutritional food, we need community-based organizations to fill the gap in resources. As we enter another week of COVID-19 and its impact, nonprofits are adjusting to a new reality. To meet the increased needs and requests of clients, ensure service delivery continuity, operational overhead, and supplies, nonprofit organizations need reliable revenue streams. Therefore, it is imperative these agencies secure immediate funding.
New grant funding opportunities are opening each day as foundations respond to the increased need for revenue. Please contact Jean Majercin for assistance with securing grant funds.