"Food bank" The new coronavirus affected the activity, and it was 16:19 on April 24.
A “food bank” that provides groceries donated by companies and individuals free of charge. It is a great support for families who are in need of living such as single parents. However, some organizations are starting to become difficult due to the new coronavirus. What on earth is happening?
Lack of manpower and funds due to a rapid increase in applications
The person who talked to me was the person in charge of "Food Bank Chiba" who is active in Chiba Prefecture.
The number of applications from single-parent families is rapidly increasing due to the spread of the new coronavirus. It is said that the reasons for the application are all the compelling things such as "I lost my job and lost my income," "The school was closed, food costs increased, and my household budget was tougher."
The group is trying to manage it, but it is also difficult. Here, we usually have local volunteers come to help us with food sorting and packing work. However, since the 7th of this month, when the emergency was declared, the volunteers are forced to refrain from themselves in order to prevent the spread of the infection, and it is said that the work cannot keep up.
In addition, the number of applicants has increased, and we are facing financial challenges. This organization uses parcel delivery services to deliver food to users, and the donation received is applied to the shipping charges. The number of new applications has increased, but the amount of donations has not increased. In the future, if the number of applications increases, manpower and donations will be insufficient.
Akiko Takahashi of “Food Bank Chiba” said, “The need for the new type of coronavirus is increasing in the region. However, there is a possibility that we will not be able to meet the demand due to lack of manpower and funds in the future. I was talking. "
The issue of food procurement "capacity"
Some organizations are starting to find it difficult to secure the food they provide.
The number of new applicants for “Food Bank Utsunomiya”, which is active in Tochigi Prefecture, is increasing due to the new coronavirus. However, it is said that it is difficult to secure food items to provide.
This organization has so far opened booths at local events and is looking for donations of food items to provide, but due to the influence of the new coronavirus, events are being canceled one after another, making it difficult to secure them.
By the end of last month, it was said that food items had bottomed out. Now that we have managed to secure food items, we are worried about how much we can meet the ever-increasing needs.
Atsushi Tokuyama, director of “Food Bank Utsunomiya,” said, “If the number of applications increases, the activity will become a critical place. A small food bank like us will be overcapacity”.
Supporting groups are exhausted even if needs increase nationwide
According to the "National Food Bank Promotion Council," which is made up of 38 support organizations nationwide, there are not a few "food bank" operating organizations that are in this situation due to the effects of the new coronavirus.
Hiroaki Yoneyama, Secretary-General said: "The new coronavirus has been receiving a lot of consultations and new applications from support organizations nationwide, such as" I'm having trouble eating every day. "However, it is difficult to secure human resources, financial resources, and foodstuffs. There are a lot of organizations that are doing their best just by feeling. I would like to seek support from the national government and local governments. "