Courtesy of
Rhonda Sanders, CEO Arkansas Foodbank
We are now two months into Arkansas’ response to COVID-19 so I wanted to take this opportunity to give you a perspective on what the Arkansas Foodbank is seeing during these unprecedented times.
Not only has our distribution model been different due to COVID-19, but the people seeking assistance have been very different than those we have seen prior to COVID-19. While this pandemic immediately affected those in the hospitality and retail industry, those effects have radiated out into some unexpected areas such as healthcare, gas and oil, and consultant services. With empty waiting rooms, restaurants and event venues, lower gas prices and lower uses, and postponement of major campaigns and internal initiatives, many have found themselves without enough revenues to maintain the expenses they have.
Each organization is handling their situation differently, but ultimately it results in pay cuts, fewer hours, lengthy furloughs or even closure. This means that people, who on Friday had the means to pay for their monthly mortgage or vehicle loan, find themselves on Monday without a steady income. Often the family or friend unit they would have turned to for assistance is also dealing with the same issues which leaves people looking for ways to fill the gap in their household needs.
This is where the Arkansas Foodbank and other food banks like us come in.