During the pandemic, food banks have played an essential role in supporting their communities with desperately needed resources. As part of the DRI Foundation’s Pandemic Relief Fund, a regular contribution has been set up for the Hastings Food Pantry.
Based in Hastings-On-Hudson, NY, the Hastings Food Pantry is a national hunger, literacy and poverty-relief organization dedicated to providing food, personal hygiene products, books and other basic life necessities to American families struggling with the challenges of poverty.
In a message to supporters, Executive Director Pam Koner explained how donations would be used to respond to the needs of families during the coronavirus pandemic:
“As I’m sure you all know, for the kids and their families in our town – and nationwide – who rely on free and reduced-price meals, a school closure is more than an inconvenience: it’s an emergency. Luckily for us, the issue of food insecurity for the more financially vulnerable kids and families in Hastings is one we can actually do something about, right now.”
The funds raised have been used to:
- Provide $50 gift cards, one per week for as long as school is closed, to Hastings school children currently receiving free or reduced-price lunches. This will supplement funds allotted by the school district
- Keep the Hastings Food Pantry shelves stocked with food items, cleaning products, personal hygiene products, paper goods, diapers, and more, and
- Provide $25 gift cards to families in need and seniors for perishable foods not available at the pantry.
The DRI Foundation is proud to support such nonprofit organizations in communities impacted by disasters to provide crucial assistance. 100 percent of the money collected for the Global Pandemic Fund will go to small, local organizations that are an integral part of their communities. Click here to donate.