SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – Food banks around the country had to scramble at the start of the pandemic back in March. Spiking unemployment numbers meant that more people became dependent on places like soup kitchens to stay fed. Food Bank of Central New York Chief Development Officer Lynn Hy saw this reflected in the bank’s numbers.
“We distributed more than seven million pounds of food,” Hy said. “In a typical year – in a non-COVID-19 year – that would be six months’ worth of food, and we did it in three months.”
After the challenges faced during those months, Hy felt prepared for an upcoming winter marked by rising COVID-19 cases. As cases similarly rose in March, Hy saw more people (including some peers) experience furloughs as a result of economic difficulty. Despite the incoming high demand, Hy and Food Bank CNY have been buoyed by high numbers of donations. The bank has already pre-ordered what they need for the months ahead.
“We’re prepared,” Hy said. “We have enough food on hand, and we’re projecting the food right now – the food we’re ordering now – is stuff that we’re getting in January.”
After suddenly becoming an essential business back in March, Hy and her staff picked up the slack. Contributions to Food Bank CNY are welcome.
