Second Harvest Heartland Prepares for “Hunger Surge”
Brooklyn Park’s Second Harvest Heartland warns the COVID-19 pandemic will cause a hunger surge not seen since the Great Depression.
“We are just weeks away from a coronavirus-driven the surge in hunger,” Allison O’Toole, CEO of Second Harvest Heartland, said in a statement posted on Youtube. “We must act now.”
Second Harvest Heartland Report Shows Thousands Will Face Food Insecurity
Second Harvest Heartland warns COVID-19 pandemic will cause hunger surge in the next few months.
According to a report by Second Harvest Heartland and McKinsey & Company, 257,000 people in Minnesota will face food insecurity for the first time. The study also shows the hunger crisis will affect over 700,000 Minnesotans.
“If we don’t get ahead of this jump in hunger, it will deepen and broaden the impact of the pandemic, explained O’Toole.
Dire Situation Will Significantly Increase Demand On Food Shelves
Second Harvest Heartland report shows many families will have a hard time putting food on the table in the fall.
Researchers say the dire situation is expected to increase the demand on food shelves by 65 percent. They estimate the hunger surge will start next month and peak in September.
“Between now and the end of the year, we expect Minnesota food banks will need to distribute 86 million pounds, that’s a 65% increase from the distribution in 2019,” said David Fiocco, McKinsey & Company Researcher.
Second Harvest Heartland says the increased hunger surge will cost them about $17 million. The organization is working with their community partners to meet the demand, but will need help.
To learn more about Second Harvest Heartland, click here.
