TEMPLE, Texas — As the unemployment rate continues to climb, local food banks are being overwhelmed by people that need food assistance.
Central Texas Food Bank has seen a 207 percent increase of those needing food across the 21 counties they serve combined.
"In just March alone Travis county saw a 220 thousand person increase," Derrick Chubbs the CEO and President of Central Texas Food Bank said. "And we expect the numbers for April to be even higher."
The CTX Food Bank has more than 160 partner agencies across the area, one of which is Love of Christ in Temple.
"We have seen a 48 percent increase of those needing food," Kelly Thomas a volunteer at Love of Christ said. "And the numbers just get higher and higher each week."
With retailers such as H-E-B being the lead donors for local pantries, they too are having a hard time staying stocked. This has caused food pantries to start purchasing food to give out.
"The donations are little to none," Chubbs said. "But even though we are purchasing they quote us three to four week wait times before anything can be delivered."
With social distancing guidelines many local pantries have turned to drive-thru only, where cars wait in line and volunteers load their trunks.
The Central Texas Food Bank is holding three mass distribution events across Bell and McLennan Counties within the next few weeks.
Here are the dates and locations:
Tuesday, April 14
- Waco ISD Stadium, 1401 S. New Road in Waco
- 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Saturday, April 18
- Christian House of Prayer, 3300 E. Stan Schlueter Loop in Killeen
- 9-11 a.m.
Thursday, April 23
- Temple American Legion, 1300 S. 25th Street in Temple
- 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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