SPOKANE, Wash. – Second Harvest, President Drew Meuer explains, serves about 86,000 meals a day.
“It’s going out as fast as it’s coming in,” said Meuer.
Non Stop Local took a tour of the facility. While Monday afternoon, the shelves were stocked, Meuer says even last week, shelves looked a lot more barren.
“It is challenging to locate enough shelf-stable and protein items to keep families fed around the holidays,” Meuer said.
Second Harvest is preparing for an influx of families seeking help during the colder months. But some, Meuer explained, are seeking help, for the first time.
“We’re tracking thousands and more families that are coming out, many for the first time, seeking assistance,” Mauer explained. “It’s kind of heartbreaking that so many new faces are showing up.”
As the holidays approach, Mauer and his team are gearing up for increased demand.
“Knowing that the food is going out, you know, fast or faster than what’s coming in, just really keeps us focused on what’s coming in a week, two weeks, a month from now,” he said.
External factors, like the federal shutdown, could also play a role in demand.
“It’s not affected us in terms of what we’re bringing in yet,” Meuer explained. “If the shutdown continues, we know that’s going to affect purchases by the USDA, and that will trickle down, but it will take some time.”
The USDA has several programs that buy food and distribute it to local food banks.
In the meantime, Second Harvest remains dedicated to providing 86,000 meals each day.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to, you know, provide that, that little bit of food that helps someone get through a rough patch,” said Meuer.
