Amid coronavirus concerns, some food banks, including one in Oregon, are temporarily closing, while others, like in Washington state, are reporting a drop in volunteers. Much advice tells people to stock up on food and supplies and bunker down, but for low-income people, actually affording that extra canned soup and soap is far from easy.
Many low-income people may experience a domino effect: if businesses close, or the gig economy sees a dive as people go out less, workers will get paid less, and thus have less money to spend on necessities. On the other hand, if people are sick and feel pressured to go to work in order to make ends meet, this may result in the virus spreading. Still, the reality remains: People need to eat.
As schools close, children may be safer from the virus while at home, but they may also be hungry. Free breakfast and lunch can be a lifeline for children and teenagers. If families struggle to afford food on a regular basis, it’s simply unrealistic that they could afford extra food for a whole family on such short notice.
Luckily, as Civil Eats reports, the USDA just approved both California and Washington state for school meal service in spite of closures. Meals will be provided in “non-group-eating settings,” which may mean a to-go bagged meal. In the event of school closures, states can go through approval processes to serve meals in community spaces, like libraries, but because of the way coronavirus spreads, it’s a tricky balance between keeping the virus at bay and keeping kids fed. That’s why the non-group setting is key.
One food bank in San Antonio, Texas, is leading by example with coronavirus response kits. As the San Antonio Current reports, the San Antonio Food Bank is hoping to deliver supplies and food to 300,000 low-income families in the southwest Texas region. Each kit rings in at $5 and contains a two week supply of food including rice, soups, beans, fruit, and canned vegetables—basically, nutritionally sound food items that aren’t likely to expire. In addition to food, the kits will have pet food, diapers, hand sanitizer, and other cleaning supplies. Senior centers, mobile events, and local food pantries will serve as hubs to access the kits.
Trying to minimize person-to-person contact seems to be a consistent approach. “We’re really good at reacting and we might make changes that limit human contact, such as leaving food outside the doors of the food bank,” Lynne Telford, who works at the Care and Share Food Bank in Colorado Springs, Colorado, told the Colorado Sun.
So, what can most people do to help? Exercise empathy. When it comes to stocking up on supplies, don’t hesitate to share with friends and neighbors (including, for the record, homeless people in your community) if you have more than you need. Consider, especially, people with disabilities, those you know work inconsistent gigs or multiple jobs, and families who have caretakers for elderly or ill people, who may be especially vulnerable and stressed at this time.
Low-income people are routinely shamed during natural disasters, like floods and hurricanes, and are blamed for not being prepared enough to evacuate early or build up their own supplies. But money doesn’t appear at the snap of one’s fingers, and even if funds are eventually available, people buying en masse early may mean that by the time someone else gets to the store, desirables are out of stock anyway. We also know that while online orders are convenient, price gouging and long waits are becoming increasingly common. The takeaway? Spread compassion—not shame.