How To Help Food Pantries Feed The Hungry Amid Protests

As unemployment rates increased due to the coronavirus pandemic, so too did the number of people relying on food pantries to survive. Over the past week, the destruction of property and the fear of violence (by police and others) accompanying a nationwide wave of racial justice protests has just made the situation more difficult.

HuffPost spoke to senior staff at charitable organizations to learn whether food-insecure people in their cities are now even more at risk.

Dedication Prevails Over Disruption

Looking at the destruction of property along Lake Street in South Minneapolis, TC Food Justice executive director Autumn Chmielewski concluded that safety is paramount.

I cannot, in good conscience given everything that Ive seen thats happening, personally, as Ive watched buildings burn to the ground in my neighborhood and peoples protests turn into riots I cant have volunteers out in that situation, she told HuffPost.

TC Food Justice rescues fruits, vegetables and other food that co-ops, grocery stores and farmers markets have deemed unsalable and brings it to local hunger relief organizations. For now, Chmielewski said, its up to her nonprofits small staff all volunteers themselves to handle that redistribution in addition to administration.

COVID really started to shine a light on the inequities of society. When you are looking at the health disparities and who lost their jobs and who had to continue working in dangerous situations, theres no justice in that. And the food system is no different.
- Autumn Chmielewski, executive director of TC Food Justice

The challenge is to continue sourcing food and getting it to those in need. Not far from where TC Food Justice rents its cooler space, three of the four local supermarkets were damaged by fire last week.

Theres all of a sudden less food everywhere, Chmielewski said. Places established as safe spaces to get food, to get help, to get assistance, are no longer safe and, in some cases, are no longer there. She added, At least one of our food pantry partners was damaged because it was on Lake Street and they had to shut down.

In response, TC Food Justice is partnering with Urban Ventures, Sisters Camelot, the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul, among others, to mobilize a reliable food source for local residents. They plan to have fresh and dried food available for pick up at designated neighborhood sites and will also offer home delivery by bicycle. Were hoping that within a week, well be ready to go, Chmielewski said.