Blog

When our neighbors need food assistance for themselves or a loved one, the Hunger Lifeline is often the first number they call. Since COVID-19 began to fundamentally shift the world around us, the number of calls coming through this line have tripled – and show no signs of slowing down. Take an inside look behind the scenes.

From getting ready to distribute thousands of pounds of turkey and other holiday food staples for families to being part of food drives across the region, excitement is in the air as the food bank prepares for the season of gathering and giving.

Across our region, many working parents have careers that demand hours outside of the 9 to 5 status quo. For these working families, after school care is not just an essential service that allows the family to thrive economically – it’s also a safe space for children to share in community, learning, and healthy meals.

In DC alone, 11% of people over age 60 are food insecure. Just as the CAFB focuses its efforts on research and innovation to better serve senior clients in the Greater Washington area, reauthorization of the OAA is an opportunity to ensure that the best services possible remain available for older Americans in our region and beyond.

Ever wonder what the Food Bank’s Summer Meals program looks like in action? Take an inside look at mealtime for Community Services Foundation, a CAFB partner that hosts a summer camp and provides free breakfast and lunch for kids throughout the summer.

When Justin came to the United States from Ghana nine years ago, he dreamed of working hard and building a family. That dream came true as he gained employment in the food industry, got married, and had three children. But with a growing family came a growing budget, and that budget soon stretched to its limits.

Principal Clint Mitchell recognizes the distant look in children’s eyes when they can’t concentrate, and he knows that an empty stomach is often the cause. When he came on board at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School, he got to work making sure his school provided hunger solutions – both during the academic year and the summer months when school is out.

A few lucky staff members had the opportunity to take a Beginning Beekeeping Course at University of DC hosted by the DC Beekeepers Alliance. Our staff learned how to help manage bee populations, which are essential because they pollinate the fruits and vegetables we eat and food for animals which we then consume.

For families dealing with food insecurity, summer can be a struggle as their kids lose access to school meals. The Food Bank works to alleviate summer hunger through our Summer Meals programs, so kids can feel full and ready for summer adventures!