WTTW News covered GFF grantee Northern Illinois Food Bank’s efforts to combat food insecurity in the article Food Insecurity Still High Amid Pandemic in City, Suburbs and Rural Areas Alike.
One of the many devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past several months has been a dramatic increase in food insecurity. The organization Feeding America has estimated 17 million more Americans could go hungry because of the coronavirus, and the demand on food banks and pantries has increased dramatically.
The demographics of people facing hunger have also changed. The Northern Illinois Food Bank says it’s seen a 50% increase in need, and has been providing more than 300,000 meals a day through its network of 900 sites in suburban and rural areas. Food bank CEO Julie Yurko says many people don’t think food insecurity is a problem in the suburbs, and that people often feel ashamed to ask for help.