Feeding Each Other, Local Businesses, Nonprofits Step Up During Pandemic
Before she was hit with coronavirus shutdowns, a 20-something office manager was able to pay her rent and student loans. Like so many, she lost her job early on and soon struggled to have enough money even for food. “Living on my own and going through the pandemic was eye-opening!”
An older couple had trouble getting out and shopping due to the restrictions of quarantining and social distancing.
A middle-aged woman helped to feed her neighbors by faithfully picking up boxes of food to share with the family of three.
A mother with six children in her van just needed enough groceries to put food on the table.
These are just a few of the people who picked up bags and boxes of food from a local relief program in Ventura County in September, many for the first time.
One out of every six residents in Ventura County suffers from food insecurity—lacking reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food since the pandemic struck. Unemployment, job insecurity, health issues and social distancing affect every socioeconomic class, race, age and gender.
“[COVID-19] is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges we have faced in our lifetime” says Monica White, president and CEO of FOOD Share Ventura County, in their latest annual report.
FOOD Share, the central supplier for many food pantries, homeless shelters and other emergency food distribution sites in Ventura County, has seen an unprecedented increase in need, from approximately 75,000 people to about 150,000 people per month. Supplied in large part by the USDA and supplemented by local supermarket and agricultural donations, Food Share is ramping up their operation, White said, to “meet the challenge of expanding numbers of our friends and neighbors who are facing real hunger.”
In Ventura County, over 150 food first-responders have distributed food for more than half a million individuals as of September, says Jennifer Caldwell, chief development officer of FOOD Share. “It used to be approximately one million pounds of food per month. Now it’s closer to three million pounds per month and the numbers are still going up!”
WORKING TOGETHER
Back in April, when the lockdown first struck and the food industry was basically shut down, several local organizations and businesses teamed up to provide meals for hospital workers, struggling restaurant employees and the most vulnerable in the community.
“We made more than 20,000 meals over 12 weeks and also dispersed thousands of meals from other restaurants,” says Luisa Hyatt of Rincon Brewery Ventura, when asked about working together with World Central Kitchen and Kids & Families Together, a Ventura County nonprofit serving foster/adoption families.
“Many of our families had been struggling prior to the COVID outbreak,” says Caitlin Barringer, development manager of Kids & Families Together, “but it created even more of a hardship.”
The collaboration provided 400—900 meals each day, six days a week for three months. Since then, the organization obtained a large grant that allows them to provide gift cards for families to purchase their own groceries and supplies.
BOXES AND BAGS
Also stepping up was Kat Merrick, founder of Totally Local VC and co-founder of The Local Love Project—which provides relief and support for Ventura County residents affected by disasters. She and hundreds of volunteers are filling donated produce boxes and bags filled with essential household items to be distributed to COVID-affected individuals during the stay-at-home lockdown.
“The way people are economically impacted is unbelievable, for every walk of life,” says Merrick. “We formed strong partnerships with local organizations, churches, businesses and individuals, coming together to fill the gap of need in our community.”
Limoneira, Houweling’s Group, Grapes and Hops, Peirano’s Market and Delicatessen, Winchester’s Grill & Saloon, United Farm Workers Foundation, Fresh and Fabulous and more are among those partners donating, packing and distributing the 1,900 to 2,300 boxes weekly all around the county.
FOOD FOR ALL
Food Forward gathers food from local farmers, farmers’ markets and local backyard fruit excess, taking it to local groups to distribute to the community. Volunteer driver Jason Finizza from River Community Church, who distributes it six days a week, says he’s seen the faith community come together to meet the need.
“Regardless of what you believe and who you are, if you’re hungry, we give you food,” says Finizza. “We don’t discriminate. A lot of the people we’re giving it to really need it.”
Among those in need are the people listed at the beginning of this article. They were all in the line at the weekly Free Farmers’ Market sponsored by Simi at the Garden (SATG) and Food Forward.
“We realized there was a greater need with so many being unemployed,” says SATG secretary Chris Cooley. “Pre-COVID we used to serve 400—500 individuals per month. Since COVID, starting in April, we have been distributing up to 400 boxes per week!” Beginning in January, SATG will cut distribution back to just twice a month due to a lack of volunteers, though it is still double what was offered before the pandemic.
‘IN IT TOGETHER’
There has been “extraordinary community spirit” addressing food insecurity in Ventura County since COVID-19, says White. Finizza also applauds the community effort.
“I think people are still hopeful,” says Finizza. “We’re in it together.”
With the slow-moving tiered color system for reopening in Ventura County, the impact may be longer-term before we see full recovery. These efforts by local food businesses, organizations, churches and volunteers are truly making a difference.
To learn how you can donate visit FoodForward.org; FoodShare.com; KidsAndFamilies.org; TotallyLocalVC.com/local-love-project; WCK.org
HOW INDIVIDUALS ARE COPING WITH FOOD INSECURITY DURING COVID-19
30% grew herbs, vegetables and fruit
60% were sewing and repairing their own clothing
4% were raising chickens
2% were beekeeping
Resource: Poll conducted by Yahoo of over 2,200 U.S. residents (June 2020)
