FARGO (KFGO) – Due to high food prices, high gas prices and historically low amounts of food being donated, Great Plains Food Bank is predicting that it will have 1 million fewer pounds of food to distribute during the current fiscal year, which equates to over 800,000 fewer meals. The shortfall comes at a time when hunger impacts one in six people in North Dakota.
With the widespread effect of inflation on the Great Plains Food Bank, its food and financial donors and especially clients, the organization is being faced with its biggest challenge since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There are many elements at work here that are creating challenges for the organization in meeting the hunger needs of our neighbors,” Great Plains Food Bank Chief Operating Officer Kate Molbert said. “We are anticipating a significant food shortfall this year, but are working to be innovative in ways we can best fill this gap. We don’t want to paint the picture that there won’t be food available. We will still be here to serve our neighbors living with food insecurity who rely on our services each day. 1 million pounds fewer equals 800,000 meals not available to our neighbors in need. If there ever was a time when the public can assist us in filling this gap, now is the time.”
Now in its 39th year, Great Plains Food Bank serves as North Dakota’s only food bank. Its partner network includes 213 food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and other charitable feeding programs operating in 99 communities across N.D. and Clay County, Minn.
Great Plains Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network, and was named the Not-for-Profit of the Year in 2018 by the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.
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