Nonprofits say food distributions are way up -- and that will continue in 2021
CAPITAL REGION, NY (WRGB) — Food insecurity impacted millions of Americans like nobody thought it would in 2020.
Now - it's a new year, but some area non-profits say food drives won't be a thing of the past.
Officials with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany say they handed out nearly 2 million pounds of food in 2020.
75 food drives were held last year, compared to 2019, when the non-profit held 14.
MORE: Fuccillo Automotive donates more than $5K in groceries to Regional Food Bank
The non-profit also says they served 5,366 people in 2019 and 120,000 people in 2020.
In order to keep stepping up to the plate to help people in need this year, Catholic Charities spokesperson
"Through networks like Feeding America and the Regional Food Bank...they make it possible for us to do the work because we simply couldn't deal with that much food on a regular basis. That food pipeline needs to continue. But also, funding for states so we can have the essential services that we're providing. We have contracts with the state that we're not even getting paid for right now!"
A drive-thru food drive was held this morning in Hoosick Falls.
The next food drive will take place at the Boys and Girls Club in Rensselaer this Friday, starting at 9:30 a.m.
