To help alleviate the unprecedented spike in need for hunger assistance across the Big Bend caused by the COVID-19 crisis, Feeding America has awarded Second Harvest food bank a $525,939 grant, a portion of the $100 million donated to Feeding America by Amazon CEO and philanthropist Jeff Bezos. Second Harvest is an independent member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest food relief organization comprising a 203-member network of food banks throughout the country.
“We are humbled by the outpouring of support from national philanthropists and from everyday people from towns across our region,” said Second Harvest CEO, Monique Ellsworth. “We also are humbled by the enormity of the need. It will take all the generosity we have received to date and more to ensure our community receives the food it needs to thrive in the face of this treat. Your gifts – of all sizes – will continue to make the difference in our efforts.”
James McGowan, chief development officer for Second Harvest, underscored the huge burden of expenses Second Harvest has incurred during the COVID-19 crisis response, including sourcing additional food, supplies, transportation and increased operations costs.
“We know that the need will continue increasing as unemployment numbers skyrocket across our communities,” said McGowan. “We are faced with the reality that this response will go on for months, and the economic impact may continue much longer, which is why we continue to urgently call upon our local donors to support us with financial donations. We are incredibly thankful to those who have contributed already.”
To learn more about Second Harvest and to support our COVID-19 response, visit www.FightingHunger.org/help/.
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About Second Harvest of the Big Bend
Second Harvest food bank’s mission is to feed the hungry in the Big Bend through a network of partner agencies, and to educate and engage the community in the fight to end hunger. One in five people (97,000) face hunger in the Big Bend. Fight hunger in your community! Visit www.FightingHunger.org for information.
