Coronavirus Increases Hunger: Find A Food Bank In Kane County

Geneva IL

04 September, 2020

6:09 PM

Description

KANE COUNTY, IL — When you look around Kane County, it's easy to see the effects the coronavirus has had on our way of life. What's less visible is the number of people who are now worrying about having enough to eat. Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization, says coronavirus-related economic crises could push the number of food insecure Americans to 54 million by year's end. That's 17 million more Americans than who were food insecure before the pandemic. For some, it's a matter of running short on grocery money before the week is out and eating a lot of boxed pasta and rice dishes. For others, food insecurity means real hunger. In Kane County, about 37,750 people, or about 7 percent of the county's population, were considered food insecure before the pandemic, according to Feeding America's "Map the Meal Gap" interactive study. Job loss and other economic crises associated with the coronavirus could push the rate of food insecurity in Kane County to 12.2 percent by the end of the year. Feeding America, whose 200 member food banks include the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva, reports both higher demand for services and more need for volunteer and donor support. In Kane County, the following pantries are run by religious organizations, nonprofits and local township governments. Many are operating with adjusted hours and services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so be sure to call ahead to confirm policies and availability. Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry834 N. Highland Ave., Aurora — 630-897-5431 Fox Valley Hispanic SDA Pantry505 E. New York St., Aurora — 630-898-0410 Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry1110 Jericho Road, Aurora — 630-897-2127 Food for Greater Elgin1553 Commerce Dr., Elgin — 847-931-9330 Between Friends Food Pantry52 Wheeler Road, Sugar Grove — 630-991-3138 Holy Angels Pantry204 S. Russell Ave., Aurora — 630-897-2478 Zion Evangelical Lutheran Soup Kettle330 S. Griswold, Elgin — 847-888-2882 Community Crisis Center37 S. Geneva St., Elgin — 847-697-2380 All Peoples Interfaith Food Pantry256 E. Chicago St., Elgin — 847-741-2329 Salvation Army - Aurora437 E. Galena Boulevard, Aurora — 630-897-7265 Salvation Army - St. Charles 1710 S. 7th Ave., St. Charles — 630-377-2769 St. Peter Food Pantry 1891 Kaneville Road, Geneva — 630-232-0124 Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry100 Flinn St., Batavia — 630-879-3784 Shepherd's Heart Food Pantry2300 South St., Geneva — 630-232-7068 South Elgin Food Pantry400 W. Spring St., South Elgin — 847-931-0563 Two Rivers Head Start Aurora1661 Landmark Road, Aurora — 630-264-1444 RELATED: Millions Made Hungry During Pandemic Could Include Your Neighbor Food insecurity is often thought of as a "poor people's problem," but not all people living in poverty are food insecure, and not all food insecure people live in poverty. Food insecurity is a complex issue sandwiched in with other systemic challenges, including poverty, low wages, affordable housing shortages, chronic and acute health problems, high medical costs and social isolation. "Our members are reporting that many of the people they're serving have never sought food assistance before," Kathryn Strickland, Feeding America's chief network officer, told Patch. "Some people are reporting that people who formerly donated to food banks are now seeking assistance." Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.