26 million adults went without food last week, according to a recent Census Bureau analysis. The demand for food relief is on the rise amidst the current pandemic, and there’s no federal assistance insight to help with that massively expanding food insecurity gap.
The Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools Act (Heals Act) is not set to expand the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps). The Heals Act also does not extend the Pandemic EBT program specifically created to help kids that no longer receive free or reduced school meals -- the Pandemic EBT program expired in June and will not be renewed as of this writing.
Many American households are asking for food assistance for the first time, but these people are running out of places to find that help. Children that would have been returning to school and warm meals in September may now be part of a virtual learning setup that would not include access to free meals.
To say that the nation is facing a food insecurity crisis is a statement made too late. The crisis is already here, but few things are being done on a federal level to alleviate those hunger cries.
On a local level, many food banks are operating at full capacity with half or no staff. Some of the food banks that are working miracles tirelessly and can assist locally include:
The United Food Bank of Plant City
New Tampa and Wesley Bay Chapel Food Pantry
University of South Florida Feed-A-Bull Pantry
If we've missed a food bank or local charity offering assistance, please reach out and we will include it here. As always, if you need help, we are here for you.