Iredell food pantries have seen an increase in demand due to COVID-19 and are struggling to meet the demand. | Pixabay
Iredell food pantries have seen an increase in demand due to COVID-19 and are struggling to meet the demand. | Pixabay
Food pantries in Iredell County have seen an increasing need for food during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ve worked in nonprofit for 15 to 20 years,” Neil Furr, director at Yokefellow Ministry in Statesville, told Record & Landmark. “This is nothing I’d ever thought I would see.”
Many food pantries and nonprofits are essentially closed throughout the county as well, with most closed to the public and open for limited hours for people to pick up food, Record & Landmark reports.
Those that are open are practicing social distancing to keep staff and clients safe, according to Record & Landmark.
“In an effort to keep our volunteers, employees and clients safe from the spread of coronavirus, we will be asking clients to sign in at the door, then wait in their cars. Employees and volunteers will prepare boxes of food and bring them to the door for pick-up. ICM will be following this procedure until further notice,” Iredell Christian Ministries' website said.
Some nonprofits are accepting food and monetary donations to help keep up with the demand they are seeing, according to Record & Landmark. Many of these are seeing community support during this time of need.
“The community has rallied around trying help others as much as possible,” FeedNC Executive Director Lara Ingram told Record & Landmark. “It’s been astounding how supportive the community has been.”
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