Coping with COVID-19: Local Food Pantries

The pandemic is causing financial hardships across the country, bringing overwhelming numbers to food banks.

Before the pandemic, according to the Food Research and Action Center, nearly one in seven households with children cannot buy enough food for their families in America. This is now creating pressure for local food banks like the Wesley Distribution Ministry, to help their communities.

The distribution holds a monthly paper distribution including paper towels, diapers, and female hygiene items while also giving boxes of food for the community. While facing higher numbers than usual, the distribution is focusing on keeping guests and volunteers safe.

Photo Courtesy of Wesley United Methodist Church Facebook Page

Director of Wesley’s Distribution Ministry Karen Daudelin said the distribution now serves only through the drive-thru.

“We prepacked all of the bags. We also gave away 300 food boxes. We had 402 families. We had a few bags of small amounts of food donated by another church that we gave to most of the people who didn’t get a food box,” said Daudelin. “We ran out of everything very quickly. So yes, we have definitely seen a rise in numbers of people seeking help.”

Another local distribution has also seen large numbers of people seeking help. Since the middle of March Home Sweet Ministries has had to close the co-op store and are instead distributing emergency food boxes to people in need in the community.

Chief Operating Officer Matt Burgess said the distribution had to change how they operate.

“We provide opportunities for our co-op members to work, usually operating the co-op store itself, in exchange for shopping trips they can then take through the store,” said Burgess.

The change was made to minimize the spread of the virus, but plan to return to their regular operations when it is safe. 

Through the pandemic even large distributors are feeling the effects of the virus. Both Home Sweet Home Ministries and Wesley’s Distribution Ministries have support from the Midwest Food Bank.  

Executive Director of the Bloomington-Normal Division, Tara Ingham said despite the pandemic they continue to donate to 473 food pantries and non-profit agencies.

Photo courtesy of Midwest Food Bank Bloomington-Normal Facebook page

 “The agencies we serve are asking for more food, and we are fulfilling those needs with extended distribution dates and items offered,” said Ingham. “We are also building family food boxes for the Salvation Army—to date we have filled and shipped out over 24,000 boxes and will be producing over 37,000 more.”

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Latinos make up the majority of coronavirus cases in the state. Locally the Immigration Project in Bloomington said immigrants have been put in many uncertain situations. The Immigration Project has been working with The United Way in launching a new food distribution in the community. 

The communication and development coordinator Zoe Bouras said the organization is passionate about bringing immigrant access to justice and is focusing on feeding and supporting these communities.

“The United Way made funds available to provide food in a way that is culturally sensitive and also overcomes many barriers that immigrants are facing at this time. Barriers that could be cultural, linguistic, or related to immigration status, ensuring that those most at risk are able to access the help that they need,” said Bouras.

Photo Courtesy of The Immigration Project Facebook page

The new program donates food from local businesses, individuals and organizational donations in a traditional food-drive format.

Local businesses that participate include Fiesta Ranchera, El Porton, Aroma Indian Restaurant, Los Potrillos and La Patrona food truck. Local churches are also involved such as St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Universalist Unitarian Church, The Mennonite Church or Normal, and Eastview Christian Church. 

 “Through these partnerships with local restaurants and local organizations, we are really tapping into the sense of community that makes McLean County and Blo-No such a great place to work and live,” said Bouras. “We have had such an outpouring of support from different places to help our underserved immigrants at this time, truly illustrating the goodness and resilience in our community.”