KANSAS CITY, Mo. — More people are seeking food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Harvester's Community Food Network distributed boxes of food to 1,300 families at the old Indian Springs Mall site in Kansas City, Kansas, Thursday. The boxes included a variety of produce, canned goods, frozen eggs and a turkey.
The Chief Operating Officer of Harvesters, Steve Davis, told 41 Action News they are seeing a 50% increase in the number of people seeking assistance. Normally, Harvesters goes through one million pounds of food each week. Now, the agency is going through 1.5 million pounds of food.
Davis says many of the people they are serving tell them they are in a situation they have never been in before. He said the stories they are hearing reveal the need in the community.
"One story of a little boy who received bananas as just so thrilled to have bananas to eat and they happened to receive eggs and said 'Does this mean we get to have breakfast?'" Davis told 41 Action News. "These are the stories we are hearing from individuals who are in a situation where they need help and they need support".
Harvesters says it is seeing need rise week-by-week, and has broken records for the amount of food ordered in its 40-year-history. The agency is having to go and purchase food, which is something they haven't had to done many times before. They hope people will continue to give, so they can continue their mission.
"One of the families who came through the line were so appreciative, they said they had $12 to spend on groceries this week and if it wasn't for the fact we were doing this and had this distribution, they are not sure what they would have done," Davis said.
If you want to donate to Harvesters top items needed include: canned meat, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, rice and shelf-stable items.
