CNY Food Banks Prepare for First COVID-19 Winter CNY Food Banks Prepare for COVID-19 Winter Surge

Food banks must prepare for increased demand over the coming months.

REPORTER: When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, high unemployment numbers meant food banks became essential businesses. Food Bank of Central New York Chief Development Officer Lynn Hy saw this reflected in the bank’s numbers.

HY: “We distributed more than seven million pounds of food. 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.”

REPORTER: Despite the high demand, Hy and Food Bank CNY have been buoyed by high numbers of donations. To stay on top of a predicted winter surge in requests, the bank is already pre-ordering what they need for the months ahead.

HY: “We’re prepared. 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.”

REPORTER: A lot has been asked of Hy and the staff at Food Bank CNY this year – but with preparations at hand, things look to be under control for the months ahead. Reporting live in Syracuse, Carter Bainbridge, NCC News.

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.

Related Articles