CLEVELAND — A recent survey of mothers with children under the age of 12 found that nearly 41% are facing food insecurity since the pandemic began, an issue the Greater Cleveland Food Bank has been working to solve as they distribute food to families in need at the Muni Lot.
Kristin Warzocha, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, said that the number of children going without enough food is staggering.
"The number of kids who didn't have enough food to eat is triple what we saw during the Great Recession. Triple," Warzocha said.
Warzocha said that two out of five families are struggling to keep their kitchens stocked with enough food.
"I've been in this business for 20-years. This is some of the most heartbreaking data that I have seen to date, " Warzocha said. “We've got our work cut out for us."
In just the last two months, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank has served 20,000 families.
As the pandemic develops, the demand for food distributions increases, and with summer approaching, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank worries the need will be even greater as they’ve seen happen each year even without the effects of a pandemic at hand.
Warzocha hopes that families in need come forward and receive the assistance being offered.
There's nothing to be embarrassed about," said Warzocha, who explained that is a common feeling expressed by parents who turn to the food bank for help. "We're here to try and help them make sure they can take care of their kids."
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