SAN ANTONIO -- As the need for food at home grows during the new coronavirus pandemic, the shelves at the San Antonio Food Bank are becoming increasingly bare, and the outbreak is putting a major strain on how the agency can operate.
- San Antonio Food Bank shifting to mega site distribution model amid COVID-19 pandemic
- Mobile distribution being eliminated
- Food bank shelves have been decimated
On Tuesday, the agency emailed its partner organizations telling them it would no longer support any individual agency onsite mobile or food fair distributions. The move was attributed to heightened product and safety procedures.
"It’s so frustrating that we are not going to be able to continue,” said Pamela Allen.
Allen runs a food pantry out of the Edgewood ISD Police Department and most recently has been serving clients food via a drive-thru distribution. Since the pandemic started, Allen, who also serves clients through her nonprofit Eagles Flight Advocacy and Outreach, says she serves up to 3,000 people each distribution. Yet, without the support of the food bank, her distribution will shut down.
"We make sure we take care of the neighbors in this area and now we aren't going to be able to do that," she said.
Allen will now have to sign up her clients for mega distribution sites in Bexar County. Beginning next week, those who are in need of emergency food for their households can sign up to get items from their assigned sites.
"They will get a start time and a place, so they'll have some options as to where they want to go in the city. They'll be notified as to what time that will be and then they will drive up and it will be easy," said Michael Guerra with the San Antonio Food Bank.
Guerra says mega sites are being used by other food banks nationwide, which are also seeing high demand for emergency food in their communities. Guerra says this new plan will be the best way to take control of their inventory back and help people in need.
"We just want people to know that we are open for business. Also, that it is safe to travel to get help, especially in this way," Guerra said.
For more information on mega sites, visit the food bank's website or call 210-431-8326.