In response to the government shutdown earlier this year, Feeding America garnered support from organizations across the country to help offset costs that food banks faced to meet the rising need in their communities.

In early June, a third round of funding was allocated to various food banks across the network, and Foodlink was generously awarded $70,000 to help with costs associated with its “SNAP Gap” distributions in February. Foodlink, with crucial support from the United Way of Greater Rochester, garnered community support from donors and food providers to hold 14 “SNAP Gap” distributions during school vacation week Feb. 18-22. Some distributions were held in rural areas, and were existing Mobile Pantry sites with additional product. Five distributions, however, were held in the City of Rochester at various locations, and required a substantial amount of resources to pull off.

Several organizations donated to Feeding America during this difficult time, and we appreciate their generosity greatly. They include: BJs Charitable Foundation, California Community Foundation, Health Care Service Corporation, HP Foundation, HSBC Bank USA N.A., JPMorgan Chase, Katzenberger Foundation, PwC Charitable Foundation, Smuckers, Splunk/Doug Merritt, TJX Foundation, United Airlines, and the Visa Foundation.