Interfaith Food Pantry Network

from Vicinity Magazine

by Vicinity Media Group

Put Your Foot Down

Helping Our Neighbors In Need

Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry Network Sees a Rise in Food Insecurity Due to the Pandemic

Hunger is an urgent issue in Morris County. According to Feeding America®, the largest hungerrelief organization, in 2020, about 26,330 people in Morris County were considered food insecure before the pandemic. The Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry Network (IFPN) says it has seen a rise in food distribution and families served since the pandemic began and they could use all the help they can get for 2021.

“As of late 2020, IFPN was accommodating 6,100 household visits, a 140% increase over 2019’s figures, says Executive Director of IFPN, Carolyn Lake. “By the end of the 2020, we had accommodated a 26% increase in the number of families and amount of food. At the height of the pandemic the number of new families was up 200%.”

Chances are good that someone you know is food insecure. It could be your neighbor, your child’s friend, or even a family member. This means there is a consistent lack of access to enough food for every person in their household to live an active, healthy life.

Food insecurity can happen for many reasons, many caused by the pandemic. No one should be afraid to ask for help. However, being food insecure is a private matter, and sometimes people facing it don’t reach out for help. In addition, they may not know how to get help.

In Morris County, those facing food insecurity should contact the Interfaith Food Pantry Network

“By the end of the 2020, we had accommodated a 26% increase in the number of families and amount of food. At the height of the pandemic the number of new families was up 200%.”

Food and Essentials Needed By Interfaith Food Pantry Network

• Spaghetti/Pasta Sauce

• Tomato Products (sauce, crushed, whole, diced, paste, puree, etc.)

• Canned Vegetables (no extra-large cans–2 lbs. or more)

• Pasta (1 lb. packages preferred)

• White Rice/Brown Rice (1 or 2 lb. bags preferred) • Tuna, Salmon and other canned fish

• Peanut Butter (18 oz. preferred)

• Soups: Condensed and/or

Hearty Varieties (look for “low-sodium” and “Heart Healthy”)

• Baby Wipes

• Ziploc Bags (sandwich size)

(IFPN), which serves Morris County residents in need by providing emergency and supplemental groceries.

To help IFPN support those in need, you can volunteer, donate food, make monetary donations, and support its annual fundraiser on April 16.

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