The River Bend Foodbank sees a decrease in food donations due to COVID-19. | Pixabay
The River Bend Foodbank sees a decrease in food donations due to COVID-19. | Pixabay
In April, the River Bend Foodbank distributed approximately 1.8 million meals to residents in 23 counties, CEO and president Mike Miller told Quad-City Times.
Over the course of a year, approximately 15.9 million meals are distributed by the food bank, but with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the state, the organizations is seeing a "triple threat," Miller told Quad-City Times.
The triple threat includes an increase in food demand by families, challenges to operating the food pantry due to stay-at-home orders and the food supply is being disrupted.
“Typically, 70% of our food is donated, 20% comes from the government and 10% is food we purchase. Now, we’re looking at a steep drop in donations — down to about 56%," Miller told Quad-City Times. “About 29% comes from the government and we are purchasing about 15%.”