Food banks during the pandemic

Host Ted Simons talks to Angie Rodgers, President and CEO of Arizona Food Bank Network. The rough economy is making for a more challenging Thanksgiving for food banks. Rodgers elaborates on the topic and reveals that she expects a 16% increase. It’s the busiest time of the year for them and there’s already been a huge increase because of the pandemic.

The good news is that there’s enough food.

Rodgers is thankful for the Mayor allowing food banks to use the National Guard as volunteers and get food to people as quick as possible. The problem this year was the drop in volunteers because of health concerns.

What’s coming through to the food banks is the emergency food assistance program from the government. It’s been a huge help as well as the COVID-19 food assistance.

The fight is still going on after the holiday as well. Rodgers is already planning to bring up the topic to the government to keep the program help going. Their biggest problem is having enough volunteers and having enough food and materials for people.