From the Emergency Food Network
In Pierce County:
- The number of individuals visiting feeding programs has increased 43% since 2008.
- More than 140,000 people seek emergency food each month.
- More than 50% of those seeking food are under the age of 18 or over the age of 55.
- Most of those seeking food are families and individuals who need a little help extra each month. When shelter, healthcare, and paying for gas are the next needs to go, seeking food assistance is an important stopgap.
Despite these jaw-dropping figures, Emergency Food Network (253-584-1040) is making a difference. We’re buying food and receiving food donations by the truckload.More than 1 million pounds of food moves through our warehouse in Lakewood each month. This growing season, Mother Earth Farm grew 130,000 pounds of fresh produce, distributed directly to food banks. The National Letter Carriers Food Drive collected over 300,000 pounds of food. In September, EFN, Northwest Harvest, The Stadium High School Bowl Committee, hundreds of volunteers and thousands of donors set the Guinness World Record for the largest 24-hour food drive, raising over 515,000 pounds!
We do not expect the demand to subside in 2011, and we need your help. Here’s what you can do:
- DONATE a year-end gift to EFN. For every dollar that we receive, EFN distributes $12 worth of food.
- VOLUNTEER to Repack frozen foods at our warehouse, or at Mother Earth Farm.
- HOST A FOOD OR DONATION DRIVE in your office, school, or with a civic group.
Thank you for thinking of those less fortunate, especially during difficult times. Your efforts make the difference for the 67 food banks, meal sites, and shelters that we serve. As our Executive Director Helen McGovern says, “hope is in your hands.”