‘We are in desperate need of food’: Bellevue Community Food Bank says donations have plummeted
The bank says the number of families they serve has tripled in the past three years.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - In the past few months the Bellevue Community Food Bank says it’s been seeing on average six new people each week, and donations aren’t enough to meet the need.
In 2021, they served 30 families, now they say they serve more than 90.
“We have a lot of regulars. But we’ve been inundated, I would say with a lot of new people,” volunteer Ruth Renaldi said.
On top of that - donations have plummeted. They’re now using gift cards they receive as donations to fill the lack of food.
“We’re spending anywhere from $750 to over $2,500 a week in food that we used to get donated, but no longer are able to match the needs of those that have food insecurity in our community,” Director Robin Dillon said.
There is a donation cabinet where people can leave non-perishable items for the bank at any time. The problem is, volunteers say most days this year it’s been left empty.
“Everyone is struggling right now, because of the cost of food, or they have to decide what’s more important, putting a roof over their family’s head, putting gas in the car, or purchasing food,” Dillon said.
The food bank says the best way to help is to look at the list of needed items here that they update weekly. It’s also posted on their social media.
“There’s a lot of people in need a lot of people in need,” Renaldi said. “Donations are very down right now, very down. We are in desperate need of food.”
The food bank runs every Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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