With the Atlantic hurricane season underway and severe weather threats building across the Plains and Southeast, Feeding America is taking unprecedented steps to ensure its network of 200 food banks is ready to respond to disasters large and small.
Record Stockpiling
Feeding America has pre-positioned over 30 million meals worth of shelf-stable food and water across its warehouse network, with particular focus on food banks in hurricane-vulnerable Gulf Coast states, tornado-prone Midwest and Southeast communities, and wildfire-threatened regions in the West.
Lessons from 2024
The 2024 disaster season stretched the food bank network to its limits, with simultaneous responses to Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, the Texas Panhandle fires, and the Brazil floods. The experience highlighted the need for larger reserve stocks and better coordination between regional food banks.
Beyond Immediate Relief
Feeding America's disaster response extends well beyond the initial emergency. Food banks in disaster-affected areas typically see elevated demand for months or even years after a major event, as families work to recover financially.
Learn more about Feeding America and their network of food banks supporting disaster-affected communities.