The COVID-19 pandemic has created rifts for many Ohioans, including interruptions in income and possibly looking to alternative sources for groceries.
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank has been feeding a record number of people during the pandemic, serving a nearly 32% increase from March through December compared to the same time frame the previous year, cleveland.com reported Thursday (January 7).
“It has been a truly extraordinary year,” spokeswoman Karen Pozna said in a statement. “What we’ve been seeing most recently are new folks who truly never thought they would find themselves in this position. They may have had small savings, but this pandemic and economic crisis has gone on for much longer than most people anticipated and they are finding themselves having to make truly difficult choices.”
She added that the number of people the food bank has served continued to surge over the holiday season. Officials expect those trends to continue in the new year.
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is the largest organization serving more than 400,000 in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Ashland and Rich counties, according to its website.
“We understand that people need a helping hand during these uncertain times,” the food bank states. “The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is prepared to help those in need. Please call our Help Center at 216.738.2067 Monday – Friday from 7am – 6pm if you are in need of food assistance.”
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is located at 15500 S. Waterloo Rd. in Cleveland.
Donate to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank online.
Photo: Getty Images