Treasure Coast Food Bank receives grant for emergency food, comprehensive hunger-fighting program
As businesses closed and workers were furloughed in recent months, Treasure Coast Food Bank met many people seeking help for the first time. The COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed unemployment to roughly 10 percent across the region, has underscored the importance of not just emergency food but a comprehensive program to build financial security.
A $25,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will help Treasure Coast Food Bank meet immediate food needs as well as expand its Ending Hunger Interventions that deliver a comprehensive approach to fighting hunger and its underlying causes. The need for such programs has increased significantly because of COVID-19, said Judith Cruz, President and CEO of Treasure Coast Food Bank.
“During this time of instability and uncertainty, the need for a comprehensive approach to emergency food assistance and enrollment in public assistance programs that reach the underlying causes of hunger has never been greater,” Cruz said. “We are grateful to the Bank of America Charitable Foundation for this grant as well as its ongoing support of our programs.”
Treasure Coast Food Bank will use the grant to reach some of the most at-risk, high-need areas in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties, filling gaps where people can’t easily access food and other assistance.
Treasure Coast Food Bank’s Ending Hunger Initiative is an approach that works to address hunger at its root cause with programs that not only provide food but include access to public assistance programs, affordable healthcare, and educational programs on health and wellness and financial literacy.
Bank of America has been a long-time supporter of Treasure Coast Food Bank. It has been a signature sponsor of events, including Out Laugh Hunger at the Drive-In taking place this September as part of Hunger Action Month.
