IFM has three drive-through food distributions per week where families can receive free, nutritious groceries and other helpful items like diapers and pet food. We used to average 150 families per day, or 450 families per week. The weekly numbers have been steadily climbing for the last 9-10 months. For the first time ever in the month of July 2022, IFM’s daily average reached 210 families, or 630 families per week. This is a massive 40% increase in demand for our services!
Some might say that there are very complicated reasons behind the recent increase in need that are on an international scale, perhaps citing the COVID pandemic or the war in Ukraine. The families visiting IFM recently have put it more simply … … “everything costs more right now and coming to IFM saves me lots of money on my grocery bill!”
Clients have even longer wait times in the drive through line and IFM staff and volunteers are feeling the strain, and the recent heatwave adds additional challenges to the drive through model. IFM’s food budget is stretched thin, feeling the impact of both higher food prices and increased demand. To put it simply, our three food distribution events that are held every week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. are getting overwhelmed!
Expand our services by adding a fourth weekly distribution day. Starting on September 3rd, IFM began holding food distribution events EVERY Saturday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Families needing free supplemental groceries are allowed to come to IFM once per week, and they will now have four choices of days to pick from: Monday, Wednesday, or Friday 10 a.m.-1 p.m., or Saturday 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Our hope is that some families currently coming on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays will now choose to come in on Saturdays instead, where they are likely to see shorter lines and wait times. We also hope that anyone who can’t currently access us during the weekdays will now be able to visit us on Saturdays.
Although IFM staff and volunteers are leading this effort, United Way of Nevada County and our supporting churches are also playing critical roles. We are also receiving additional food from Placer Food Bank and the Food Bank of Nevada County to prepare for this expansion of our services.
By taking ACTION. Volunteer, donate, and/or help connect a neighbor in need with our services. We believe everyone that needs help should be comfortable asking for it. Take direct action and help distribute food on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (you don’t have to stay the whole time) or on our newly added Saturdays, with volunteer hours of 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Donations are also sorely needed due to rising food prices. More details on IFM’s many options for ways to volunteer and donate can be found on our website: interfaithfoodministry.org or by calling 273-8132 for more info. Together we can put nutritious food onto families’ tables and meet the increased need.
Western Gateway Recreation and Park District in rural Nevada County will receive $1,144,634 through the California State Parks’ Rural Recreation and Tourism Program for new recreation opportunities that support economic, tourism, and health-related goals. Awards were…
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