Because of federal cuts to food assistance, Just Food, the Douglas County food bank, will receive about 30% less food over the next few months for a program that feeds more than 5,500 local people.
Harvesters, which distributes food to food banks across the country, was notified that orders for 40,000 cases of meat, dairy, eggs and dried fruit scheduled for distribution in April through August have been canceled, according to a news release from Just Food.
The food is part of The Emergency Food Assistance Program, which is supposed to help low-income households supplement their food sources through food banks and pantries, according to the release.
“On average, TEFAP food accounts for 6,000 to 8,000 pounds of food distributed by Just Food each month,” according to the release. “More than 5,500 individuals in Douglas County rely on TEFAP food through Just Food.”
TEFAP is one of the only food sources Just Food receives at no cost, according to the release, and losing 30% of the shipments will have a “significant impact,” Jessica Cooney, director of impact at Just Food, said in the release.
“With grocery prices remaining high and ongoing uncertainty, many in our community are already facing difficult choices,” Cooney said. “Reductions like this add to the growing strain on families relying on food assistance and the organizations working to support them.”
The food bank is hoping the community can help ensure access to nutritious food for local households.
“As federal cuts to food assistance continue amid a challenging economic climate, access to nutritious food is becoming increasingly difficult for many households,” according to the release. “… Those looking to help can donate funds, contribute non-perishable food items, or contact their elected officials to advocate for strong federal nutrition programs.”
Find more information at justfoodks.org/give.
Contact information for the congressional delegation representing Lawrence and Douglas County is available at this link. The nonprofit 5 Calls, 5calls.org, has phone numbers and templates of scripts to help people make their voices heard on several federal issues.
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