Responding to Hunger

Feed the Need in Durham (FTND) has launched its Responding to Hunger campaign to unite the community in response to COVID-19.

Running from June 15 to Aug. 31, the Responding to Hunger campaign “invites the community to celebrate their solidarity as part of the ‘ALL IN’ this together response to hunger,” states a press release.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, FTND has increased its response to emergency need and, together with other organizations and volunteers, have doubled down on operations to meet new challenges and remain focused on their primary mission – to collect and distribute food to those who need it most in the community.

Since March 23, FTND has distributed more than 400,000 pounds of food, which is a nearly 100 per cent increase in distribution when compared to the same time period last year.

FTND says the concern remains about the medium and long-term impacts of COVID-19 and what the associated economic downturn will have on the community. The group is planning on an ongoing response to the growing needs of the community over the next six to 24 months.

“We have been humbled and inspired by the ways in which our community has chosen to respond to the needs of their neighbours over the past few months,” says FTND Executive Director Ben Earle. “This campaign is not just about how we feed those who face hunger in our community, it is about recognizing how we stand up for the most vulnerable in Durham every day. This is more important now than it has ever been.”

Those interested in supporting the cause can donate to FTND’s primary mission of collecting, processing and distributing to its network of emergency food providers, donate to the bulk food purchasing program to help purchase specific items most in demand on a continuous basis, donate to the transportation program to help increase capacity, or host a food drive or make a food donation.

Responding to Hunger donors are invited to receive and display the “ALL IN” lawn sign to show their support and commitment to the cause.

For more information or to donate, visit www.feedtheneedindurham.ca/respondingtohunger/.