Coronavirus Increases Hunger: Find A Food Bank In Polk County

POLK COUNTY, FL — It's easy to see the effects the coronavirus pandemic has had on businesses, entertainment and socialization across Polk County, but what's not as visible is the number of residents who are worried about where to find their next meal.

Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization, says coronavirus-related economic crises could push the number of food insecure Americans to 54 million by year's end.

That's 17 million more Americans than who were food insecure before the pandemic. For some, it's a matter of running short on grocery money before the week is out and eating a lot of boxed pasta and rice dishes.

For others, food insecurity means real hunger.

In Polk County, 91,770 (13.7 percent of residents) were considered food insecure before the pandemic, according to Feeding America's "Map the Meal Gap" interactive study.

Job loss and other economic crises associated with the coronavirus could push the rate of food insecurity in Polk County to 19.8 percent by the end of the year.

Feeding America, whose 200 member food banks include Feeding Tampa Bay, reports both higher demand for services and more need for volunteer and donor support.

Some food pantries and other services available in Polk County are:

• Feeding Tampa Bay Mobile Pantries: Various locations, click on calendar to see schedule and locations in Polk County.
• Blessings & Hope Food Pantry, 2150 E Edgewood Dr, Lakeland, FL 33803, (863) 698-7512
• Central Assembly of God, 601 Lemon St., Auburndale, FL, (863) 967-2876
• Salvation Army, 2620 Kathleen Rd, Lakeland, FL 33810, (863) 853-2214
• Catholic Charities Winter Haven Food Pantry, Winter Haven, FL, (863) 299-7983
• kidsPack Hope and Charity for Children, 3725 Frontage Road North Suite 1 Lakeland, FL 33810, (863) 272-7927

• Mulberry Community Service Center, 1392 N Church Ave, Mulberry, FL, 33860, (863)-425-1523
• Bartow Church Service Center, 495 E. Summerlin St., Bartow, Florida 33830, (863) 533-5822

Food insecurity is often thought of as a "poor people's problem," but not all people living in poverty are food insecure, and not all food insecure people live in poverty. Food insecurity is a complex issue sandwiched in with other systemic challenges, including poverty, low wages, affordable housing shortages, chronic and acute health problems, high medical costs and social isolation.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.