Why Jessica Is Joining the Fight Against Hunger with Channel One Regional Food Bank
I heard the other day a statement about Rochester, Minnesota that I never thought about before.
"Rochester was built by caregivers and even today, it has thousands that are here to help others"
Personally, my stomach is a bit on the weak side and I know I wouldn't last a day working in the medical field. There are thousands of you that wear scrubs or white coats! But there are also thousands who are happily serving and cooking meals at our area restaurants or changing out the bedding and cleaning rooms at hotels for the guests that come to our town as well as numerous other jobs. I hope you know that every single one of you is making a huge difference, even if you don't get that recognition every day.
But I know that some individuals serving others in our town are making choices right now. Difficult ones. Ones that are causing stomachs to growl because they are deciding to feed their kids or other family members with the food they have available before they themselves take a bite. I wish this wasn't true, but unfortunately, in the town of Mayo Clinic, food insecurity is a real thing for our neighbors. And it just got worse.
When the pandemic hit, everyone felt the pinch and thankfully there were some extra resources available for individuals and families like the pandemic SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. Unfortunately, those are now gone and with inflation still a factor everywhere, families still can't afford to put food on the table.
"People Should Just Get a Job And Quit Asking For Free Food"
The last few months, I've seen a huge shift in the conversations on social media about those in our community needing help. Statements like "people should just get a job and quit asking for free food". If only it was that simple...and if they didn't already have a full-time job.
Many individuals that visit the food bank at Channel One are what is considered "working poor". They have jobs, most have full-time jobs. They are fully employed and yet they aren't earning enough to afford food.
Thankfully, Channel One is available to help and without judgment, because one of the hardest things to do as an individual is to walk into a food shelf and ask for help. Although there shouldn't be any shame in asking for help, there is...because of statements just like the one above.
Channel One Regional Food Bank Just Broke Three Records...and Not Good Ones
I'm sure you remember when the price of 12 eggs was over $5.00 or when the price of your favorite snack went sky high and you stood in the aisle at the store debating if the price was worth it. I did that with Ruffles and eggs and actually, just quit buying them completely for a bit.
Inflation hit all of us individually but sadly, businesses have had to cut back on quite a bit as well due to increased prices. Unfortunately, as businesses have cut back, Channel One Regional Food Bank felt that tremendously as food donations from businesses and manufacturers shrunk drastically.
Now, more than ever, donations are needed to help those experiencing hunger in our community. In fact, Channel One just broke three records, and they aren't good records to have.
Award #1 - May 2023 had the most new household sign-ups to date, with a total of 339. If you look back at 2022, the monthly average number of new household sign-ups between January and December was 254.
Award #2 - May 2023 is the month where the most pounds of food were distributed from the food bank in one month for a total of 1,149,251.88 pounds. In May 2022, the number of pounds distributed was 928,157 and the average for all of 2022 was a little bit less at 913,924 pounds.
Award #3 - May 2023 had the most household visits in one month at the food shelf for a total of 6,970. In May 2022, the number was 6,175. If you look back at the entire year of 2022, the monthly average of household visits was 5,621. In 2021 and 2022, the monthly average of household visits was 4,914.
Donate Today and Think Bank Will Match It!
Food insecurity is soaring and the demand for food assistance is intense. This month, Channel One Regional Food Bank is expected to serve a staggering 5,700 households in the region.
But this month, your donation has DOUBLE the impact thanks to THINK and their match! Every dollar goes twice as far thanks to Rochester's very own Think Bank who has committed to matching your gift, dollar for dollar, up to $25,000.
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