Food bank drive-through distribution during COVID-19: A reflective essay

Brittney Cavaliere,Katie Martin,Carson Drew

doi:10.5304/jafscd.2021.102.044

Brittney Cavaliere, Katie Martin + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2021.102.044

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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented surge in food insecurity and demand for free food. In response, Foodshare, the regional food bank serving Greater Hartford, Connecticut, created a drive-through distribution program to meet the immediate food needs of residents. Our team at Foodshare’s Institute for Hunger Research & Solutions conducted two surveys of people receiving food at the drive-through distribution to help inform Foodshare’s programming and response to the pandemic. Results show that 70% of households receiving food had never gone to a food pantry or other program to receive free food prior to COVID-19, and 67% said they come at least once a week. Additionally, 86% of guests are not going elsewhere to receive free food and only 37% know of other places to get free food. The majority of people receiving food at the drive-through distribution were people of color, who are those most affected by COVID-19 from both health and financial perspectives. From April to August 2020, Foodshare served an average of 1,500 households each day and more than 150,000 cars total at the drive-through distribution alone. Despite serving an immediate need for food, the drive-through model presents challenges, particularly during the New England winter with snow and freezing temperatures, and is an expensive endeavor. Foodshare and other food banks will need to pivot again from short-term pandemic assistance to longer-term approaches to create dignified, convenient, and sustainable access to healthy food for additional people struggling with food insecurity. Food banks can also leverage their extensive platforms of volunteers and donors to advocate for policy changes that will ensure economic stability and food security.

Highlights

The COVID-19 crisis both highlighted and exacerbated the economic challenges of the average American
In Foodshare’s service area of central and northeastern Connecticut, prior to COVID-19, 11% of households lived below the federal poverty line, and another 29% of households earned more than the federal poverty line but less than the basic cost of living for the area (Hoopes, Abrahamson, Leonard, & Treglia, 2018)
We asked guests if anyone in their household currently goes to other food pantries, if they know about other programs in their area where they can get free food, and if they would be willing to go to other sites to get food if we provided them with more information

Summary

Introduction

The COVID-19 crisis both highlighted and exacerbated the economic challenges of the average American. Many Americans were living paycheck-to-paycheck prior to the extensive economic disruption that began in March 2020. In a 2018 survey, the Federal Reserve found that 40% of Americans did not have the financial ability to cover an unexpected expense of US$400 (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 2019). Foodshare is the regional food bank serving Greater Hartford, Connecticut. In Foodshare’s service area of central and northeastern Connecticut, prior to COVID-19, 11% of households lived below the federal poverty line, and another 29% of households earned more than the federal poverty line but less than the basic cost of living for the area (Hoopes, Abrahamson, Leonard, & Treglia, 2018)

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