Mounting Mahoning Valley layoffs put strain on food bank
With thousands of laid-off and newly unemployed people in the Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank has already distributed a million pounds more of food than this time last year.
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With thousands of laid-off and newly unemployed people in the Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank has already distributed a million pounds more of food than this time last year.
"I think the layoffs that have occurred in the area are huge, and more and more people are finding themselves in a situation where they are asking for emergency help from the food pantries," Mike Iberis, Second Harvest, Executive Director said.
Because this is a national condition, Iberis says donations from large manufacturers are not coming in as usual.
"That flow of donated food has slowed considerably because on a national basis, there's more need, and more people are coming to those donors for food."
Without its usual staff of volunteers working, Second Harvest is grateful that Governor DeWine sent in the National Guard to help pick-up, pack and distribute food throughout the valley.
"The timing of the Ohio National Guard to step up in this great time of need has helped us feed additional people here in the valley," Second Harvest spokesperson, Becky Miller said.
Brandon Warner of Cortland is one of those guardsmen, who says he now has a new appreciation for the mission of Second Harvest.
"What we do for them is nothing compared to what they do on an everyday basis. To even be allowed to help is rewarding, and we really enjoy it," said Warner.
With the greater need and no end in sight, the food bank is reaching out for support. "We're going to need that support to replenish our shelves and restock our shelves in the event this lasts longer than expected," Iberis said.