The Emergency Food Bank of Stockton is feeling the pinch, and it’s not just because the holidays are around the corner. Thanks to a government shutdown, their USDA food supplies have plummeted by a staggering 30,000 pounds every week. With families in need lining up for support, it seems they’re about to serve a heaping helping of disappointment, with food portions dropping from 50 pounds to under 30. Talk about an unwanted diet trend!
Alesha Pichler from the food bank isn’t just losing sleep—she’s practically losing her sanity trying to make do with dwindling resources. The freezers, usually stocked with turkey delights ready for Thanksgiving, are as empty as a teenager’s fridge post-weekend. Even Centro Cristiano De Fe, a proud nonprofit partner, is picking up the pieces and facing an unprecedented crisis, having to turn people away. That’s a first for them, and it’s as surprising as finding a cat in a dog park.
This season, more than ever, it’s time for communities to step up and lend a helping hand. The food bank will be hosting its 21st Annual Run and Walk Against Hunger on Thanksgiving Day, reminding everyone that the spirit of giving is just as important as the turkey on our tables. So, what can we do to help fill those freezers and warm those hearts this holiday season? Let’s get creative and show some love to our Stockton community!
What’s your take? How do you think communities can creatively support local food banks during tough times?
