Leslie Bacho, CEO of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, emphasized the alarming situation: 'We are facing the most challenging time in our history. The need for food assistance is back to historic highs we saw at the height of the pandemic.' Financial help is struggling to keep pace, putting immense pressure on food banks.
Bacho noted, 'Last year, the Bay Area food banks provided 270 million meals. Income inequality has reached a point where many must choose between food and essential needs like rent and clothing.' This highlights the critical role food banks play in the community.
The decline in government aid post-COVID has exacerbated the situation. Bacho explained, 'The extra government support that started during the pandemic has largely gone away. We rely on donations but rising costs force tough choices on what to provide as staple proteins.'
Caitlin Sly, the CEO of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, echoed the urgency saying, 'We are in a crisis. The demand for food assistance is skyrocketing, yet our resources are dwindling.' This statement reinforces the dire need for sustained support.
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