I would like to thank everyone who has already participated in the Edmonds Food Banks first program offering the Holiday Adopt a Family Food Program. The reception continues to be well received from the community. As of last week we have canvassed over 100 businesses, schools, bars, restaurants, pot shops, banks, and real estate offices. Many of these businesses and schools have now become destination locations to drop off food and clothing for our community members in their need.
The community's welcoming spirit has been refreshing to the soul. Our Family $ Friends portion of the program is gaining support. We have received monetary donations from many family friends throughout the United States. This is such an important part of the program's fundraising goal of $100,000.00 by year's end. This money will help us to purchase additional food items for the winter time when donations typically see a decrease after the holidays.
We have over 100 people who have read the first blog on our program's offerings. Truly we are very Thankful for that response already! "Just imagine if just half of the viewers of this blog participated and convinced a Family member or a Friend to do the same that would mean thousands of dollars to be able to start addressing the increasing food insecurity within our city and surrounding areas." It has become more imperative especially due to the recent inflation of almost every consumable item. On my last blog I reported that EFB (Edmonds Food bank) serves over 350 families per week.
The number of people needing some kind of food assistance has doubled over the same time last year. Just last week there were over 417 families that depend on the efforts of the volunteers, staff, and monetary donations for the EFB. Our services continue to increase with mobile pop up food banks within the city limits; another was just added to the outreach efforts of EFB. Recent reports are that gasoline costs are up more than $1.00 per gallon. The price of meat rose 20% in the month of October alone. Nearly every item in your grocery store has increased. Nationally the cost of food this time compared to last year the same time has escalated to 6% overall.
Many Governmental Pandemic Food Assistance Programs are expiring. As we are approaching the Holiday Season many of us will be gathering with our Families and Friends. Let us be mindful of those who are currently experiencing the increasing problem of food insecurity within our community. Our gratitude goes out to all the volunteers, staff, and community members who are making an impact on addressing food insecurity within our neighbourhood. And Medicare Insurance is going 14% within the coming months putting an additional stain struggle senior citizens
Gene
God bless
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