The pandemic greatly impacted food instability for many communities. Researchers believe food insecurity more than doubled because of the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak, affecting 23% of households in 2020. For the past year, our team of CCS Network Builders have been coordinating food pop-up events at Catholic churches, CCS/CHS programs and with community partners.
In May of 2020, a local food producer, Pacific Coast Fruit, contacted CCS/CHS about reaching out to vulnerable communities to offer the USDA Farm to Family Food Box Program. The program provided meat, dairy and produce from farmers to hungry families in need during the height of the pandemic.
CCS Network Builders quickly assembled a team and made a plan to offer food pop-up events at Catholic churches, CHS/CCS programs and with community partners. These events involved the participation of dedicated parish volunteers that assisted in the food distribution to parishioners as well as neighboring families. From May 2020 to May 2021, CCS/CHS has partnered with the USDA Farm to Family Food Box Program to provide:
- 160 Food Events
- 138,000+ Farm to Families Food Boxes distributed
- 3.9 million Pounds of Meat, Dairy and Produce (almost 2,000 tons!)
- Network builders partnered with 20 Catholic churches across Western Washington to host 89 food events!
Pacific Coast Fruit Company’s semi-truck arrives at St. Pius X (Mountlake Terrace). Hungry families line up at Faith Lutheran Church (Everett). Fr. Alvarez blesses the food at Holy Family (White Center).
Fr. Connolly directs vehicles through the drive-thru at St. Edward (Seattle). Volunteer loads food box at St. Ann Parish (Tacoma).
Volunteers distribute food boxes at St. Mary Parish (Aberdeen). Volunteers at St. Hubert Parish (Whidbey Island) get ready to distribute much needed food boxes.