WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Operators of food assistance programs across Kansas are serving hundreds of additional families that are struggling financially due to the fallout from the coronavirus.
The increased need comes at a time when donations are down, according to Kansas Food Bank CEO Brian Walker.
The food bank last week began surveying 164 partner agencies across the state. The 104 responses as of Tuesday indicated a roughly 30% increase in need due to the pandemic.
Walker believes the need isn't going away anytime soon, even as businesses begin operating again and some employees return to work.
“We don’t want people to think because the economy has opened back up and you can go to a restaurant that, you know, everybody is going back to work and people aren’t going to need assistance. That’s just not the case," Walker said.